Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-08-22
The MOrkhOuse Question

Below we give the suggestions of a
correspondent in reference TO the
utilization of the labor of persons
committed to prison by the munich
pal authorities for petty offenses.
That something of the kind is needed
is very certain, but whether ornOt the
system recommended by "H.
would be the best that could be adopt
ed, even taking into consideration the
depressed financial condition Of the
city, we are not so sure. The estab-
lishment of a School of Industry,
House of Correction, WorkhOuse, or
some such institution, by the city,
when the profits of the labor of the
inmates would go to the benefit of the
corporation, would not, we Opine, be
attended with the expenditure of
more money than the importance of
the matter would justify, as, properly
managed, a fair interest on the in
vestment would be returned from the
start.
However, we would like to hear
from those whose experience in the
premises have given them the oppor-
tunity of forming an opinion as to the
best manner of dealing with what is
fast becoming a perpleXing dilemma.
Our correspondent says
Editor appeal; 1t seems to be
universally acknowledged that
one of the great wants of
our city is a good workhouse
in which to contine the mackerels,
vagrants and other classes of our pop
ulation committed to Jail for terms
under a year,
1t is as well understood that in the
present financial condition of our city
it would be imprudent, to say the
least, to attempt the construction of
buildings so costly as a first class
WorkhouSe. This being the case,
how can the difficulty be met? l
think by the plan adopted in the Ala
bama and Mississippi penitentiarieS.
They are let out by contract, and the
leSsees have the privilege of working
the labor on plantations, or contract
ing for work at any point in the State
on railroads, mines, etc. | think it
certain in the case of the city that un-
der certain regulations as TO guards,
food, medicine and clothing, a con-
tractor could be found who would
buy or rent place in the
vicinity Of Memphis and re-
ceiVe prisoners committed for
| misdemeanOrs, ETC., and work them
to his great profit. l was told by Col.
Richardson, the lessee of the Missis-
sippi penitentiary, that it required one
guard to every six prisoners, and that
81 per day was paid for the guard.
That with this proportion of guards
there had been only FIVE or six escapes
in two years from amongst two
hundred prisoners employed in culti-
waiting cotton on several farms in the
Mississippi bottom, which he had
rented to WOr kthe prisoners on.
The profit at present prices of cotton
and rent of Mississippi land is enor-
NOUS, as any one can figure by work
ing out cost,
] think by this means we would
soon clear our city Of the vagrants and
petty thieves we have amongst ms, for
one trial would make it evident to
their capacities, however dull, that if
they had to work they had better
work for pay than for their food alone.
If the city has not the power of doing
this, then at the next Legislature have
! full power conferred on her.
With that most efficient Magistrate,
Judge Hudson on the Bench of the
Criminal Court, and a good police,
Memphis would soon be exempt from
her bad reputation for thiever and
murderers. H.
So far the only effect that we can
see has been produced by Mr.. Greeley's
weekly expositions of the protective doc
trines, is that the Republican papers have
used them as good texts for first-rate free
trade articles. Among them we note the
Cincinnati Commercial and Gazette; the
Chicago Tribune and EVeRieg Post; the
st. Louis Democrat, the Springfield Re
publican, the Davenport, Iowa, Gazette,
and other Republican organs of standing
and ability. Mr.. Greeley has thus been
the innocent occasion of much sound doc
trine, although not exactly in the way he
may have expected.