68 Journal of the Mitchell Society [January 



FIKST method of ORGANIZATION 



The convicts in the firs't method of organization representing 

 Class I or " honor men " would be divided into three groups, 

 if the camp is of sufficient size, according to the work that the 

 men are capable of doing. In the first group would be the 

 most efiicient men of the camp of whom would be expected a 

 cer'tain definite amount of work. The rest of the convicts of 

 the camp would be graded into second and third groups. Know- 

 ing then what each group of men is capable of doing on an 

 average as a day's work, the foreman of the road work could 

 estimate what each group should easily be able to do in a certain 

 time; and then, if the group were able by especially energetic 

 work to accomplish more than the required amount, the men of 

 that group should be allowed as a bonus a certain percentage 

 of the value of the extra work that the group accomplishes, 

 this to be paid in money and divided equally amongst them. 

 The first group should be allowed 50 per cent; the second group, 

 40 per cent; and the third group, 30 per cent of the values of 

 the extra work. The men should be permitted to spend this 

 money at any time for things they wish that, of course, are not 

 under the ban of the authorities. 



As I have already stated, I believe that the convicts should 

 be allowed a certain per cent of the value of the time that they 

 are obliged to work for the State, the money thus earned to be- 

 come accumulative and to be turned over to them at the ex- 

 piration of their sentence ; or to be turned over, if requested by 

 the convict, at stated intervals to his family, provided that at 

 all times there shall be a certain percentage of that earned by 

 the convict to his credit in the Penitentiary Treasury. These 

 two opportunities of actually earning money will be a very 

 great incentive for the men to do better and more consci- 

 entious work and will also be an incentive for each man 

 to see to it that each member of the group to which 

 he is assigned does his part toward keeping up the 

 record and reputation of the group. The amount allowed 

 to convicts for their labor will vary according to the Class to 

 which the convict is assigned. Those of the First Class should 



