" Now, if
such were the facts, the reports would be very imperfect to be drawn
up by one who never visits the prisons.
We are well aware that he called for this report, and further, that
the attorney-general, in a letter to the sheriff, (of which we have
a copy,) propounded numerous questions in regard to the jail,
calling for a statement in full, particularly the amount of fees
paid to certain functionaries; those charged to the State, and the
average number of prisoners per month, from Sept. 1851, to Sept.
1852, &c. &c. That letter was transmitted to the jailer-a man whose
character and integrity is well known, and above reproach in
Charleston-with a request that he would make out his report. He drew
up his report in accordance with the calendar and the facts, but
that report was not submitted. Why was it not submitted? Simply
because it showed the profit of starving men in South Carolina
prisons.
We have the evidence in our possession, and can show the Executive
that he has been misled. We only ask him to call for the original
statement, made out in the jailer's handwriting, and compare it with
the calendar; and when he has done that, let us ask, Why the average
of prisoners per month does not correspond? and why the enormous
amount of fees accruing from upward of fifty "colored seamen,"
imprisoned during the year, and entered upon the calendar "contrary
to law," was not included?
It is a very unhealthy state of things, to say the least; but as the
sheriff considers it his own, perhaps we have no right to meddle
with it.
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