The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1857-06-20
ole ftlitianu 1enlotrat.
REMARKS OF THE HON. B. HAYNES

The Peuitcatiary at Button RoHgc
Mr.. Speaker trust the substitute will not
be adopted by this House in place of the Sen
ate bill, for various reasons Although the
gentleman from Morchousc, Mr. Matthews,
is entitled to much credit for the industry and
patience he has shown in preparing it, he has
fahed to convince me that it is better bill
than the one it is proposed as u substitute.
The honorable member admits that the two
bills do not vary in principle, but as TO detail.
For the very reason that the Senate bill has
had the attention and approval of that body,
| am in favor of it, 1t WILL in my opinion,
be found TO be less Objectionable than any new
bill, and especially one so very lengthy as the
gcntlcman's from Morehousc IL is highly
probable that some Of the provisions Of his bill
may be engraftcd upon the Senate bill to adj
vantage, but to take mp his bill at this late
period of the session, would be tantamount to
doing nothing as we could not hope to get
through with it before the time of adjournment
Let us act upon the Senate bill, and we shall
no doubt, settle this vcxed question, at least
! for time
prefer the leasing system as it is guarded,
under the provisions Of this bill. either to State
management or to leasing to the highest bid
der.
Under this bill, the Legislature. will have It
/ in their power to choose II proper and reSpon-
sibc individual or individuals to take charge Of
the management of the Penitcniary under
such conditions as prudence, economy and JUS
ticc may demand. The Legislature can do
this without loss to the State, cruelty to the
convicts. or injustice to any one. ! prefer
leasing the Pcntcniiary under this bill, because
IL provides safeguards against mismanagcmcnt
or abuse Of the trust rcposea in the lessee, by
creating Board Of Control who shall hayc
free and constant access to all parts Of the
building, anl to the prisoners, and III addition
thereto subjects him TO he suspended if, in
the opinion Of said Board aud the Governor
Of the State, he has abused his power
Under iii, provision alone, the danger 81
cruelty, OF any other abuse Of power by the
lessee il sufficiently guarded.
Again. prefer il because it will secure
The State against loss, which has always here
torurc resulted from It's own immediate control.
1t has been shown by the honorable member
from Tcrrebonc, (NIr Robinson, that the
State has invariably been the loser whenever
she has undertaken TO administer the Pcnitcn-
Itiarv ny her own agents and her own capital.
That this has been the ease hcrct oforc, and
will likely be 50 again, for one am prepared
10 allow Experience las shown That saaricd
agents, in carrying Oh any business never so
well manage it Us do persons who have a direct
Ipccuniary interest invested therein This sir.
is one Of the secrets why State management
has always proven failure heretofore This
bill will secure the State against risk, in this
respect, and will also seenre the appointment
of manager, whose great pccuninry rrsngnSi
Ibiliiy will be u guarantee, that Il proper and
economical administration Of the affairs Of the
Pcnitcniiary will necessarily follow We are
told that n cash capital or its equivalent Of
over 100000 will be necessary TO carry on
this institution proitabIy. If this be true, and
4 | have no doubt OF it, then we have sure
guarantee that its affairs will be managed in
the best possible way TO make it profitable to
the lessee; and if to the lessee, it follows rs
n matter Of course, that it will be so to the
State.
My honorable friend from Morchouse, (Mr
Matthews, says, that under this bill the les
see will have irresponsible power over the white
conyicts in the Pcnitcntiary If he will read
: carefully the Seventh and Eighth Sections
and the conditions of the bond which is to be
+, giyen, us provided for in the Fifth Section OF
the Senate bin, | think he will arrive at diff
ferpnt conclusion. So far from the lessce's
having irresponsible power and control oyer
the conyicts, he himself is to be controlled by
such laws as are now in force, and such rnIes
and regulations as the Board Of Control may
prescribe They have general supervisor.
over the management of the Institution VIE
the aid of tAc Governor, four.Gfibs Of then
members concurring, the functions Of the lessee
!. may be suspended until the next meeting o
the Legislature Where is the irresponsible
power in ths2 ! do no 50 understand it,
Another objection to the States manage
mcnt Of the Penitentiary, is that it nccessariI,
> places large amount fpatronagein the hand
of the Executive. This ! am opposed to OF
principle and not for the want Of confidence il
y the present worthy incumbent of that Office
The less patronage he has to dispense, tht
a better for lin. Besides this, it would neces
t sarily involve in its management q large
amount of money, which might attempt a gooC
man from the path of duty, Money is power
and it might, at some time or other, be useC
:, in such way as to promote, not the public
interest, but private advancement
The honorable member from Morehousc
MIR MattheWs) objects to the Senate BILL be