Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-01-27
THE STATE PENITENTIARY.


During the present session of the Legislature, two
very important bills have been introduced into the
Senate relative to the State Penitentary. An alb
stract Of one Of these bils-the one introduced by
hr. FARoUHABsoN--we have already published, and
sr readers are, therefore, familiar with its nature
ai.d merits. The other bill was introduced by the
able Senator from Robertson, Montgomery and
Stewart, Mr.. RoDERTsos, and the character and i'm
lortance ots provisions make it highly proper that
people of the State should understand them cor
reetly. therefore give below brief abstract of
The various sections of the BILL with the remark that
uother States the policy of leasing the State Pris
on, under proper restrictions and regulations, has,
according to reliable accounts given entire satisac
iion Whether the restrictions under which this
bill proposes to lease out our own institution are
sufficiently stringent to guard against abuse on the
lart Of the lessee, we not well enough acquaint-
cd with the subject to determine To this part of
the bill, however, we understand the particular at
tention OF its trainers was directed and should it
finally pass the Senate, we have doubt it will do
soin form as free from objection as it is possible
to make il:
ABSTRACT OF SENATE BILL TO LEASE OUT THE STATE
PRISON.
SEC |. Authorizes the Governor to lease out the
institution Tor six or ten years, provided that he
can get sufficen: to pay all the expenses of
the same
Sec 2. Restricts Lessee from pursuing therein
the following pursuits saddle and harncss-ma-
king, carpenterng, cabinet making, blacksmithing,
tailoring chair wagon and carriage making triming
hating, Except coarse wool hats) boot and shoe
making Except coarse bTogan shoes and boots,)
save so far may be necessary for the use of the
convcts
SEC. 3. Provides for selling all articles on hand
except such as are to be leased with the institution
SEC 4. Provides for retaining the Agent, as now
appointed by the State, and giving him the exclu-
sire right to correct refractory convicts.
SEo 5. Defaes the authority said Lessee may
have and prevents him from interfering with the
internal, prisonary functions of the institution, and
makes it the duty of him and his agents. &c, to
report refractory convcts to the keeper.
SEC G. Provides for the continuation of the
lease IN the event of Lessee's death, &c.
Sec Z. Provides for the State to have the ser
vices of any number of convicts wanted to work
on the Capitol and fixes the pay at 335 cents for
each hand thus employed per day.
SEC s. Provides for dispensing with all officers
not needed by the State, and makes it the duty Of
the Agent to see that convcts are not overworked
by Lessee.
SEC. o. Provides that the exercise of the par
doning power shall not be considered as violatve of
the rights Of Lessee.
SEC. 10. Provides that all money received, over
and above the necessary expenses shall be made
part of the Common School Fund
SIC II. Provides that the Lessee shall give an
additional bond OF ten thousand dollars for the faith
ful performance of his contract
SRc. H. Continues all the laws now in force
for the regulation of the prison, not repealed by
this act.
This bill was lost on its third reading in the Sen
ate, one of the Senators being absent A reconsid-
Grafton was moved, aud the bill will again come up
for decisive vote.