The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1845-10-18

The Penttenttafy ~ HD0tpane.
A late number Of the Baton HdG6e Gazette
contains the following account Of the success
of the Lessee System, and Of the preGrsss y
manufactures by convict labor under the ~
TEN recently adopted in that State, Of farming
out the Penitentiary to responsible and intelii'
gent lessees. -,
Why should not our Peni'entiary be leased
out to some Industrious and enterprising gen.
eman who would pay large profit or bonus
10 the State, for the use Of it, and let them
nQree to have such work done by the convicts
as may be most needed in the State, and which
will compete as little as possible with the me-
.chapissl Come Gentlemep. soma If yon who
werey6 anxious about the reformation OF the
system Of labor at the Penitentiary, wear or
Two since, why not advocate and urge the Les
see System, and get this great drag of the
State? for we are not aware that the State has
sealized much profit by this institution, and we
all know, that however trustworthy the Super
intendent may be, yet we always find that in
dividual enterprise succeeds better than public
management. This may arise partly from the
fact that an individual who would not be tram
meled, either in his expenditures necessary to
carry out any work, nor would he be controlled
in the kind of work Except in his agreement
with the State,) but would select and perform
such as would pay best, and which offered the
least composition We have no doubt there
are many men who would give an excellent
rent to the State for our Penitentiary, and agree
not to come into competition with our citizens.
This is no new scheme, but il has been sue
cessfully carried out in other States IN every
instance that we know Of having succeeded,
when other plans had run the State in debt,
and were badly managed. Il is true, il does
not require such a tetnue Of officers, and per-
haps some worthy men now in Office, would
have TO find other employment; but # it would
be benefit 70 the State, and its mechanical
citizens, and also to others, by the establish
msnt Of various kinds Of manufactures not now
made in the State, and still be prof, to the
State without risk, surely no one will hesitate
TO advocate il.
ssBusiness calling us in the mel hborhood of
the Penitentiary, on Monday lsst, we resolved
10 step IN and examine personally the improve
menis going on there. Last time we visited it,
It was yet under the control OF the State, and
presented the appearances of mere workshop,
where nee snie1l business was carried on in
all It's branches, TO the desriment Of our me-
ehsnics in town. Scarcely four months elapsed
NEE the present lessees have had the control,
its appearances has suddenly changed into that
of large msnufsetory. The machinery man
rfsetunng buttons has been greatly increased,
and 10 addition 70 cottons and linseys, they are
no~ manufacturing quality Of baggng which !,
has been declared by competent judges to be
superior 70 the best article Of Kentucky manu-
facture in our MARKET and weighs Eve ounces
more per yard. The eottons now msnufactur-
ed will compare at any time with those made
at Lowell, both in strength and fneness Of tex
iure; the linseys are a. good, and can be OBJ
tanned % cheap ss in the Kentucky market
They have also erected rope walk, and
large building for making the Irvine necessary
for weaving bsgeinE.
s-some yesrssscs the easblishmento Of man.