Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-12-20
Why Not One Law For All In
Texas?

Why not one pro law for all In Texas7 Con-
~structive prison reform methods are advanced by San
ford Bates. superintendent Of federal prisons. as a
means for protecting the republic. His theory is
that public interest requires an enlightened policy.
mot by coddling. not by favoritism. not by an early
release. not by senseless c~ruelties, but BY removing
physical handcaps. teaching a trade, eliminating
pressure TO commit crime, education and by release
on parole under supervision"
Sanford Bates IS a p~enologist OF nationwide fame.
He Is thoroughly convinced the best solution OF dis
cipiinary problems Is to keep the prisoners at work
for the reason Il reduces the cost OF maintaining
the prison and makes the problem OF rehabilitation
easier.
All the federal prisons are crowded with convicts.
In the Atlanta penitentiary only 800 inmates out Of
34O0 are provided with work. This institution was
originally constructed 10 accommodate 1452 convicts.
Leavenworth prison has s723 convicts. It was de-
signed 70 accommodate 1900. Only two industries
are provided at L~eavenworth where 1900 TO 1000 in
mates live In partial or complete idleness.
He attributed the large increase in the number Of
federal prisoners TO recent added offenses against
the federal law. in which he included those under
the narcotic. prohibition and automobile theft law.
This is a reminder that Texas has a federal pro
enforcement law and a state pro law known as the
Dean act. It is said to be a matter Of record that
in two years 1910 men, a majority under the age
Of 80, have been convicted and sent to the Texas
prison for possession Of intoxicating liquor. It IS said
that 30 per cent Of these offenders came from the
rural districts or the sparsely settled counties and not
from the larger cities or towns OF Texas.
A very drastic law is the Dean act. 10 provides
n penitentiary sentence for possession, manufacture
or sale. IL denied the right of a convicted person,
a youthful or first offender. TO enjoy the clemency
of the suspended sentence act. In other words,
caught with a pint Of whiskey In his possession a farm
boy goes TO the pen though he has never sinned
against society, never violated any other statute Of
the state and is not q criminal as criminals are
classified.
On the other hand. there IS a federal prohibition
enforcement act and the federal judge Is clothed
with the power to impose a fine or imprisonment,
or both. owing to the gravity OF the offense and the
previous record OF the offender. An a~rresting officer
IN Texas IS authorized to turn a suspect over TO the
federal authorities or else place him behind the
bars OF the county jail where a Texas district attorney
and a Judge and a Jury Of his peers can do the rest
Now high court judges Of Texas, and many Of the
district Judges, believe that the Dean act should be
so changed as 70 track the federal prohibition act
IN order that no favoritism shall be shown by the
a~rresting officers III the disposition OF cases, that
the same punishment in fines or Imprisonment or
both shall be melted out TO those who are drinkers but
not manufacturers or sellers for profit and that those
who are IN the business for the money that there IS