The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1867-01-31
IHR NEETII IIlRIaN.
The Penitentfary.

~ 10 AOEbuudt6 III bu6Se ueSeHeEdte
times that moralists and philanthrop-
lists are coming forward with azeal equal
to the great. emergency. Were it not
for their exertions in the cause of
truth, justice and humanity, society
would indeed become chaotic and de-
plorable. In Congressional halls, and
in more unpretending forums their
voices are heard, and their wise say
ings are jotted down by reporters to
be forever preserved. What a glo-
rious thing it is to be styled a philan-
thropist-a humanitarian How many
ambitiously aspire in that direction,
but how few attain so honored a dis
tinction. One most certainly has. A
writer in the Vicksburgl Herald, who
has made 1.-THE Penitentiarya his
theme, must henceforward be ranked
among the wise men Of Mississippi
Not content with giving his views
through the columns of the Herald,
he has, most disinterestedly of course,
taken the trouble and been at the ex-
pense of circulating them in circular
form amongst the members of the Leg
islature. OF course the members will
thank him for his extraordinary cour-
tesy, and will give him due credit for
singleness of purpose in wishing to
enlighten them as to this institution.
The writer has discovered that the
Penitentiary has been leased, and
thereupon he draws on his magma
ton for long catalogue of the most
disastrous results to the State, the
convict, and to the mechanic arts
Had these sage suggestions been SUBJ
mitted before the resolution was adopt
ed authorizing the leasing of the Pen
itentiary, doubtless no such action
would have been taken, for the "argu
ments" of this writer are overwhelming
ly convincing. But it is now too late to
protest. The Commissioners, in the
Judgment of nearly all who have taken
the trouble to examine the conditions
of lease, acted with most commend
able prudence and wisdom; and when
it is intimated that no restrictions are
placed on the lessees, the well known
facts in the case refute the statement.
The interests Of the State are amply
guarded, and it is the duty of the Gov
ernor and the Superintendent to see
that the convicts are suitably fed and
clad, in all respects humanely treated.
The discipline is in every particular, to
remain the same as formerly.
We are unable to see how the Peni-
Tertiary can have the effect of driving
every honest mechanic from the State. !"
On the contrary we can see how these
lessees will be compelled to employ
quite large number of skilled arti-
sans to direct their several depart
ments. It is the purpose Of the les
sees to engage IN the manufacture OF
railroad cars and machinery, Gotten
and wooden goods, etc, and surely
there are none in this vicinity with
whom this can now come in competi-
ton. Nor can we see how the lessees,
after employing the necessary guards,
subsisting the inmates, erecting new
buildings and filling the same with ma
chinery, (which in fourteen years be-
comes the property ofthe State, with
all these OUTLAWS and continued expense
we cannot see how they can WELD their
capital to interfere seriously with the
industrial pursuits of other citizens
Our own opinion is that these gentle
men have got an elephant that will re-
quire all their tact to successfully con-
troll