The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1923-03-27

resolution, which was adopted. Judge
Davis made an impassioned speech in
which he disagreed sharply with the
governor. His resolution follows:
"Convicts Above Our Children"
Resolved, That we regret that Gov
ernor Hardwick has deprived the con-
vict wardens of the right to use the
strap as last resort on convicts that
will not work nor comply with the
rules governing camps.
'We deplore his action in so doing
without letting test case be made as
was requested by the Prison Commits
sion, and having the constitutional
question involved settled once for all.
Many convicts would never be in
the changing or the penitentiary if
make an honest living. With many
of them, no doubt, their parents spar
ed the rod and spoiled the child. We
can not understand why convicts
should be put upon a pinnacle above
our children in the home and in the
school.
J MANY convicts are better clothed
and fed and taken care of in convict
camps than they have ever been be-
fore in their lives. 1t is true they have
to work, ora have been working, but
now they cannot be forced to work
I'm our opinion great many coun-
ties will speedily turn back to the
state their convicts, as they can not
successfully operate small convict
camps in country counties without the
rights and privileges provided for IN
rule Il of the Prison Commission.
Resolved further, that we request
the legislature to deprive the govern
or OF the right to set aside rules gov
erning the inmates of the state peni-
Tertiary of the Prison Commission, by
striking the words subject to the
approval of the governor in penal
code section 100, and that it pass a
law authorizing convict wardens, as
last resort, the authority to use the
strap, granted in rule II, as publish
ed bv the Prison Commission, govern
ing inmates of the Georgia. state pen
itentiary."
After the adoption of this resolution
the convention adjourned.
LANG, of Terrell, Presided.
Judge ]. A. LANG, of Terrell coun-
ty, was elected chairman and preSid-
ed over the meeting. J. B. Ansley OF
Sumter county, was secretary.
In his keynote address Judge LANG
told the convention that the body which
had gathered for exercise of wisdom
and some sound conclusion was in
many respects superior to the legls-
lature itself, in that the county COM
missioners represent millions and mil
lions of the wealth of Georgia, that
it is upon them to wisely expend the
greater part of the tax money paid
BY the people More important, though
he said, is the fact that the proper
enforcement and administration Of
law is equally important with the
making of law, and it devolves upon
the county commissioners and war
dens to meet that duty.
Future Hangs on Issue.
THE future of the entire convic
system of the state, i'll my opinion
is involved in the question which
brings us here and, unless we can de
wise a proper way to meet a new con
dition, or prevail upon the authorize:
to re-establish the old order OF thing:
for handling convicts, that system j:
in dire danger of tottering to fall
This is the first opportunity the coun
ty authorities have had to gather to.
gether and discuss what | believe /:
at the moment the states most vita
matter"
Terrell county was represented il
the convention by Judge LANG ano
Warden c. D. Marshall.