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Show ( GOVERNOR HOKE SMITH OF GEORGIA AND A GROUP OF CONVICTS WORKING UNDER THE GEORGIA LEASE SYSTEM 1 1 1 1 n 1 1 1 1 it I ll 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 CI I y7r--- I The convict lease system, the eyesore eye-sore of the republic, will no longer exist in Georgia after March 31 of this year. At an extra session of the legislature, called by Governor Hoke Smith to take action on the system, and after a prolonged fight between the house and tho senate a substitute bill was passed and signed by the governor, gov-ernor, which specifies that after March 31 next the prison commission, with the approval of the. governor, may use such remaining convicts for the be6t Interests of the state. The commission and Governor Smith are now agreed that no further leasing of convicts Bhall occur after the present contracts expire. The new convict law permits counties coun-ties to use their own convicts on their own roads or other public works, and felony convicts are to be apportioned out to the counties for similar work. But the prison commission will purchase pur-chase or lease farms on which these men can be employed, and It Is hopfta that soon this method will supersede the county plan. Four Inspectors, besides be-sides tho prison commission, will per- tonally visit the convict camps onco In six montha for thorough inspection. |