The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-07-06
MECHANICS MEETING=

day evening, the 2sth inst, to take in
consideration the present penitentiary
system in regard to the employment Of
the convicts, in the mechanical arts,
On motor, I. M. Knapp was called
to the Chair, and John X. Ottley ap-
pointed Secretary. The object ofthe
meeting was briefly stated blythe Chair
man, and on motion ofO. H. Milican.
a committee of twelve was appointed
TO draft resolutions expressive of the
sense of this meeting aud they be re-
CURED TO report at this place on Mon
day next.
The following gentlemen were ap-
pointed by the chair, to compose said
committee, viz: Jas. S. LulI, Benz.
Galley, j. N. Spears, d. Ferguson,
Hardy Stevens, Madison Watkins, w.
II. Stevenson, George Frazee, J. M.
L. Ried, VIM. Browning, Mark Cock
rel, A. r. Wellington, and on motion
the chairman was added to the COM
mittee.
On motion ofG. w. Waddell the
committee was requested to select some
suitable person to deliver an address
on Monday evening next. The meet
ing then adjourned, to meet again at
this place on said evening.
Monday Evening, July 3rd.
The meeting met according TO adj
journment. On motion, Neal Bartee
was called to the chair, when the COM
mittee appointed at the last meeting
reported through their chairman the
following preamble and resolutions
which were unanimously adopted.
Whereas, believing it to be not only
the undoubted right but the imperative
duty of the people Of these United
States to meet together in their prima-
ny assemblies for the purpose of taking
into consideration matters that have
tendancy TO effect the interest of any
class of the community, and believing
that the present mode adopted by our
State in employing the convicts in the
penitentiary in mechanical branches of
business comes in such direct and ru-
nous conflict with the honest mechan-
ic who has ever been looked upon as
one Of the foundation stones upon
which rest the superstructure of our
republican government, and that such
policy should not longer be persis-
ted In.
Therefore resolved, That We the
mechanics Of Lowndes County hearli-
ly sanction and endorse the proceed
ings of a meeting held in the city of
Jackson on the 23rd Of May last, by
the mechanics Of Kinds county, and
that the preamble and resolutions a.
dopted by that meeting express senti-
nents which meet our decided appro-
baton.
Resolved, That the Secretary be re-
quested to read the preamble and res
olutions Of the Kinds county meeting
for our adoption or rejection.
Resolved. That memorial be pre-
scented to Our Legislature praying an
immediate change in the labor of the
convicts IN our Penitentiary, and that all
persons approving such memorial be
requested 10 sign it.
Resolved, That committee Olive
be appointed as Corresponding and
Executive committee, who shall have
the power to correspond with such
persons or societies as may be neces
sary, and TO call meetings at their dis
cretion.
Resolved, That we now invite any
friend of the mechanical interest that
may be present to address this meeting.
DIR. D. Lipscomb and Col. A. A.
Kincannon, being called upon to adj
dress the meeting, enforced IN bret
but impressive manner the necessity
of the contemplated change In the en-
ployment of convict labor, in our pen
itentiary system and the ruinous con-
SEQUENCES which must result to the
mec hanical interest, if the present sys'
tom is continued.
The question on the adoption oil the
Kinds county preamble and resolutions
being called for they we're unanimous
ly adopted.
A memorial was introduced by Ben
iamin Galley TO be presented to our
next Legislature, and on motion 1t was
resolved that the memorial be adopted
and circulated Immediately FOL sigma
lures of all those friendly to the me-
chanical interest.
The chairman appointed the follow
ing gentlemen the corresponding and
executive committee in accordance
| with the 18th resolution, viz Benjamin
Galley, Harrison johnson, |; M
Knapp, D. Ferguson, George WIN
frey. and on motion the Chairman was
added to the committee.
On motion of D. Ferguson, 1t was