The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1857-06-20

| labor III such q way as H. shall produce the best
results to the State and society," and not to be
cruel, or harsh, towards the beings who have
forfeited their liberty. and are undergoing the
punishment due to their offences.
The Penitentary has cost the State first
and last a large amount OF money and it is
but the part of wisdom to mske it contribute
to dclray it's own expenses, and If possible, re.
imbursc the State for what she has heretofore
expended
The honorable gentleman from orMehouse,
(Mr. Matthews thinks it peculiarly our duty
TO guard the interests Of the poor and unfortu-
nate, who may have been convicted and placed
there in error. Sir, we must not legislate on
such an idea. We must presume that the in.
mates are guilty, or otherwise they should not
be there. To suppose them innocent, is to i'm.
peach the justice Of the State
There may be, and no doubt some times is,
ali individual sent to the Pcnitcntiary in error,
an individual who may be innocent of the Of
fence of which he is found guilty under the
administration of the law. but this is acciden-
tai and unavoidable as all human institution
are imperfect
The lessee must have power to enforce obc
dlence from the convicts, otherwise he could
not induce them to work. Discipline is ncces
sary III the management OF men everywhere,
and especially when they are compelled to do
so against their own consent. This discipline
will, no doubt, he us humane on the part of
the lessee as possible, as it will be found by
| him most effective, and. rs | trust, most in
consonnnce with lis own feelings. In this re-
spect, however, should he attempt cruelty, or
inllict punishment inconsistent with humanity
the Board Of Control can at once arrest it, ard
suspend his functions, as ] have shown in an
other part Of my argument. 1t will he TO the
interests Of the lessee TO feed clothc, and take
proper care Of the health Of the conyicts, for
in this his profits will be involved. 10 keep
them well and able TO work, is a matter Of the
first Importance to him.
! am opposed to leasing to the highest bid
der, because, by that means, the management
Y might fall into very improper hands Any
person, however Objectionable, might become
N the lessee, so he could manage to give the Sc
curity required This woud be doing what
some seem so much opposed to, to wit: making
dollars and cents the only object we have in
view in is management. As friend of this
bill, and rs one who desires to have this troub-
lcsome question settled on some safe and per
manent basis; repudiatc the idea of being
i governed solely on the score Of profit and loss.
No sir, We have n higher, nobler aim in view
and il is this: That the affairs Of the Penten-
tiary--an institution Of public necessity and
/ ccogomy--mny be so managed that the State
snail not he loser, ut the same time, that the
/ principles Of humanity are extended to the
poor degraded c0uyirtS, as far rs u proper re
:. gard for the public good will permit. 1t would
be, III my humble opinion, inhuman, on our
parts, towards the poor unfortunate inmates
Of the Pcnitcntinry, unjust 10 ourselves, and a
disgrace 10 the STATE to farm out It's manage.
ment to the highest bidder.
/ have no compnnntions Of coucencc about
the State making money by the management
Of the Pcnitcntiary, but nm unwilling to do
E so ut the cost of the character Of the State
the respect we owe to ourselves or the prin
cplcs which humanity cnjoin upon all who
have to act in this matter
This is not the rule that gentlemen are GOV.
crned by in relation to their own affairs They
do not take Il man in their employ Who offers
to work for the lowest price, but they take the
man who they think, all things considered, is
best qualified to discharge the duties of tho
trust conlidcd to him. So, sir, should we acI
in this matter. we should keep ourselves il
q condition free 10 choose the person which, il
oul JuhSHltil WIZ bt'p idllt oUb INC DcIits ~
, lent object Of the State in the establishment
+ Of the Pcnitcniary This we cannot do if W,
farm it ont To the highest bidder. Never cal
9 it receive ny support This mode Of conduct
!, ing the administration Of the Pcnitentiary, il
more Objectionable than any other.
Mr. Speaker, have thus in IN humble way
attempted to present my views upon this very
important question: to the consideration Of thu
memhefs Of this House If wc adopt this bill
; let me- say in conclusion, we shall have place.
= the matter in the best attitude for the Interest
r of the Statc-lust to the lessee whoever h
a may bc--and relieve the public mind Of thu
excitement, which is tle necessary consequence
Of itsI present unsettled condition.
. | have very little confidence, that any leg
7, slaton on our part TO improve the morals o
!, those degraded beings, will have any effect
!, unless You could reconstruct their organization
morally, mentally and physically, and restore
to them the consciousness Of never having for
. fetcd their own good name. we know th
. to be impossible
! This bill provides, as should be, for then
. comfort and religious Instructions as far as il
! can be done, compatible with the general pol