In my opinion, the chief needs of the prison system are a plan of organization of the sort which the Legislature sought to provide in its recent act; abandonment of the big plantation scheme, and adequate operating capital. Many penologists coming to Texas from other states have praised the big plantation scheme; the idea of working prisoners in the open air and under “God’s sunshine,” rather than in shops, appeals to them. A more intimate knowledge of the plantation system might convince these persons that its alleged excellences are largely moonshine. It should be remembered, for one thing, that most men in Texas, whether in shops, stores or offices, get more open air and God’s sunshine than do persons engaged in similar pursuits in more northerly latitudes. I believed that the big plantation system was bad even when it was financially profitable, or seemingly so. It has now ceased even to be profitable. Heretofore, few people agreed with my criticism of this system. There have been converts; yet, I am frank to say that not a very great number of persons are in agreement with me. Many now are opposed to operating the plantations now owned by the State, but most of these would have the State buy other large farms in a different section, abandoning the growing of sugar-cane. Practically all of the able-bodied convicts of the prison system have been put to work on the plantations regardless of their former occupations and regardless of their inclination to flee or to foment trouble. The four big plantations are situated in the valley of the lower Brazos River, in a wooded country which invites escapes. Consequently, it is necessary to have a veritable army of officers and guards. The pay-roll is enormous, although individual compensation is small. Because the compensation is small there is a constant shift in the guard personnel. As a rule most of the guards are unfit for the service. This assertion is supported by the testimony of a number of the officers of the system. Yet the convicts are directly and wholly in the charge of these guards the greater part of the time, sometimes being miles away from headquarters and officers. The plantations are in a rainy country; the heaviest work of the year, cane harvesting, is done at a season when the weather generally is inclement. It is true that free labor encounters the same conditions, but it is practicable for free labor to go to shelter, while impracticable to move large forces of convicts expeditiously. Moreover, free labor, as its name implies, is free to lay off when it so desires; prisoners, as the word implies, cannot do this.