Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1859-06-07

EprroRs AFPEAL. I see this question Is
likely to become an slemsn' in the approach
ing municipal election Of this city 1t de-
serves the calm consideration Of all who pro
fess tn believe in Justice and humanity For d
period Of about FIVE years, this institution has
been . nursery Of crime; or, IN other WORDS
an engine Of vast potency, whose powers have
been welded toward the Transformation Of
men into beasts. / remember that, about ave
vesu arc. / was walking along the streets Of
this city. when ny attention was attracted By
the clsnking Of chains and, on observation,
what was ny surprise on beholding a body Of
men-fres, w~hitsmsn, guilty Of no crime
chained. as a West India planter would not
chain his slaves, without some compunction Of
conscience. I asked myself, is this indeed a
lsnd Of liberty where men, who are guilty Of
no Grim, are forced to work upon the public
streets with oAaias elanking about their limbs?
] have nc doubt but this question suggested
itself to many others; yet, the practice Of
claiming was not abolished until the city was
sued for damages, BY SON one who had his
leg broken in consequences Of being chained
down.
Although the practice Of claiming has been
discontinued, still the institution retains the
nsme Of " Chain Gang' and whoever is 50
unfortunate a. to be sent 10 this inhuman and
odious receptacle Of moneyless beings, VIII
ever have oiium east upon them, from which
It viii be almost impossible for them 10 free
themselves.
II we viii but look At this question in all
is bearings, we viii Be bound 10 eome 10 the
conclusion that this institution should be done
away with, and a work house erected in its
stead.
It benefits not The city but il is, on econ
trary, an expense
It blasts the reputation Of those who are
guilty Of no crime, but Of a mere Eisdemsan0r.
It makes confirmed vagabonds, o~utcssts and
criminals Of those who happen to be guilty ofa
little misconduct, and then happen not to have
a few dollars to pay The fine imposed upon
them.
A man may get drunk, commit any little
m-isdemeanor he pleases, and stll be as
respectable as ever-provided be has the
money to pay for bis misconduct; but il q poor
nan is 50 unfortunate as 10 be guilty Of the
ssEe act, and yet has not The money to pay
small fine. he is sent 70 the chain-gsng, which
is sufficient 10 damn any one for a lifetime I
ask. in the name Of enlightened reason, IN he
name Of The sacred principles Of freedom, in
the name Of impartial Justice, is this right?
Some men haves no regulations to lose; Of
such DO not speak. I refer to those who have
been unfortunate, and for that reason sent to a
den Of infamy.
Men are sent to the chain gang noi be-
cause they get drunk, dtbe like, but because
they haPprn not to have the monss to pay
for It.
Iwfn conclude BY making a few assertions
which 7 conceive TO be self-syideHt-
L ruins characters.
L manufactures criminals.
u makes a distinction between the neh and
the poor.
Il is not a PecuBiary benefit to the city.
The legislature never granted the city The
power to establish sHh an institution.
T. is " cruel and unusual punishment" and
therefore contrary to the Constitution Of the
land
Therefore, in view Of these facts, it should
be speedily abolished, and a wor kh0usr sstab-
Iished in its place. " ?. F.