The Daily Nashville true Whig. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1851-1855, 1855-11-05


such conduct known or heard of before in Tonnes
see, as was pursued by Gov. johnson? Honora.
ble hgh-minded citizens put in Office according to
law strictly then sir because the Inspectors dared
/. to elect man Keeper who the Governor did not
want in. They must be prescribed. (Such con-
duct; oh shamei where is thy blush?) Now, Mr..
Speaker, hope the Senate will pass this bill.
want TO relieve this High Priest, the Governor, OF
the arduous task of debating to the Board Of IN
spectors who they shall elect Keeper. 1t will save
time and money. Yes, sir, the Senate will not be
at the trouble of confirming the nominations twice
the same session Yes, sir, pass this BILL take from
him the appointing power. 1t certainly will meet
the Governors appreciation, as he would then be IN
10 danger of making himself ridiculous. Now, sir,
\ what the excuse for this extraordinary course
OF the GoveraOr? The only excuse or reason was,
that Mr.. Page was elected, instead of Mr.. White,
Of Lincoln. There are other reasons why the pres
ent Governor should have but little to do with the
Institution. In the first place. he is opposed 10 the
whole thing, as you will see by reference to his
message, both to this and last session, He says it
is incubus to the State Treasury, and will remain
! so, unless it undergoes some change. Now, sir,
you will see that the Agents report and the Gov
nor differs And, sir, let me say this, had con-
versation with the old Keeper, Mr. Mcintosh, a
short time since, and he informed me that the in
sttution made money while he managed it, and that
it would now make money if properly managed. |
ask YOU sir if an institution is likely TO thrive
do well where the principal officer is opposed to it.
think not; therefore / want to cut him loose
from it.
The Governor also states in his message, that it
is wrong to learn the convics trade, and then turn
them loose to associate, and to come in competition
with the honest mechanic of the country. Now, Mr..
Speaker if this is wrong it is certainly wrong to let
foreigners land upon our Shores who are guilty OF the
most heinous crimes, and come in competition with
our mechanics, and associate, and amaigamatein our
families and also give them 100 acres of land oh!
consistency, thou art jewel) The Senator from
Coffee states that be is in favor of bringing the gov
eminent nearer to the people ask, Sir, is not this
bill step, would it not go up one round to pass
it, would not the Keeper be elected by the people,
through their representatives? think so, but the
Senator says there would be log rolling going on
lobby Influences had / ask you, Sir il this hOnora-
bic body is not as well qualified, and as competent
20 choose suitable person to act as Keeper Agent
OF the Penitentiary, they to elect Comptrol
Ter, Sec etary and Treasurer? l answer they are,
fully, If not little better qualified to elect those Of
fcers, than is Andrew johnson to appoint them.
The Senator from Coffee, states in bis report, that
if this bill passes, and Keeper is elected there
might be one elected who would have been defeated
by the people. Yes, Sir, so might one be appointed
by (this high priest) the Governor that would not
reflect the will of a majority. suppose, however,
there would be one advantage the Governor would
have-he could do as he did before, tell them that
not approve his course, to 20 to hell and be
damned The Senator from Coffee, states that it is
his belief that the bill is an attempt to defeat the
wishes of a majority OF the voters of the State.
differ with him very widely, for | think it would
meet with the hearty approval of a large majority;
think our constituents would say, well done thou
good and faithful servants The Senator further
states that the bill is an attemp: to secure to our
selves the distribution of office. l think not Now,
Sir let Us look at this thing for moment This BILL
Sir, proposes to elect Keeper by the joint vote OF
both Houses, the representatives of the people OF
the whole State; and the Senator from Coffee, and
those with him, are for holding on to the office
in the hands of the Governor. Now, Sir ask, who
is the most anxious for office? The question is easily
answered-the one who is in favor of holding on.
The report made by the Senator from Coffee, the
Union and american says is a scorching document.
Yes, Sir, it may scorch and raise a smoke but am
certain there is no fire in it. He has not presented
the first reason why the Governor should still retain
this power / would ask the Senator if he endorses
the conduct of the Governor two years ago?
Now, Mr.. Speaker, but a word or two more and |
| am done. The Governor, in his message, says it !
does not improve the morals Of the convict to put
him in the Penitentiary, and that it is wrong to
learn him trade, and then let him out TO associate
WITH and come in competition with the honest me- |
chanic OF the country. would ask, sir what is to
be done with those who commit crime, if you do ,
not put them in the Penitentiary; and if put in, will
you keep them confined and not make them work /
at ALL and tax the State to keep up the Institution,
or will you put them to work at something that |
there is no profit in? for one am in favor of ma
king them work at the trade that yields the best !
profit. | ask, sir, what does the Governor want
done with the Penitentiary? Does he sayP No
sir. As Is usual, he lodges the question and leaves
US TO conjecture Ii seems to me, from his opposi |
ton to it, that be would abolish it altogether. II
not abolished from his in the last years
in exercising the pardoning power, the convicts
would all soon be out. At the rate OF forty six in
Two years, would soon abolish the Institution The
Governor says il is wrong it is an incubus on the
Treasury; does not improve the convict Then l
am compelled 10 infer that be is in favor Of abolish.
ing it. Then, / ask, what will he have done with
those who commit crime? Will he whip, crop,
brand, confne for life, or hang them? would like
for some Senator, who endorses him, to suggest
plan 10 regulate all this evil complained Of or re-
quest the Governor 10 give to US the plan. Now,
Mr. Speaker, a word more. | think il is all hum
bug, and BuDcOmbe to talk about the labor OF the
'onvicts coming in competition with the mechanics
Of the country, the extent expressed by the Gov
arnor. | have enquired Of several gentlemen in
he city, and their opinion is, that it is all smoke,
ind 10 fire. Show me, sir, mechanic who can al
ways be found at his shop, at work, ready to &C
the community, or those who choose to
,all upon him, and will show YOU a man who cares
lcthing about the Penitentiary. The Governor in
ais message, speaks of change in some wsv, or
'omc how, am not able to tell what it is. Now,
r let pass this BILL and that will be one change
md think a very important one. l hope mem.
1ers On the other side OF this chamber will come
up to the support of this bill, lay down all party
ceiling, 1t any thew have and by the passage Of
his bill, the Senate will not be put to the trouble
If confirming two Boards OF Inspectors the same
session.
viii add no more, Mr.. Speaker; hope have
Tot offended any Senator present; / know l have
lot intended TO do so. These are my honest con.
'ictons, and l shall act accordingly, as il is my
light to do, leaving every Senator to do the same.
Nrour SEssIoN or thy SpNATR-Tba Sanota