Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-11-09

ment, Win all Its mechanics or wOTkmen,
together with the machinery aud apparatus
necessary for its effective operation, to the
highest bidder, the lessee paying so
much per day for each workman.
This would place into careful and
experienced hands every department of
labor, and would bring about the same
competition that outside labor produces,
securing most certainly great advantages
to. the lessee, who gets the labor of ex-
perienced men, which becomes entirely
reliable under prison regulations. This
labor can be rented cheaper than any other
of like character, taxing everything into
consideration, and still give to the State
compensation sufficient to more than pay
the expenses of the PenitenthTry. There
Is no mechanic OF tradesman who does
not Immediately see the advantage OF such
contracts. The machinery run by the
state, no shop rent, and experienced, re-
liable labor for aprice which in the aggre-
gate IS cheaper than other labor alone,
and at the same time the State fully
paid. If the committee win examine the
subject in this view, we are satisfied that
/ WIN AAA0 NuC lAAn NIAuNAN ItS1lDkf.
We propose that the State, through the
superintendent, retain entire control of
the prisoners, and that the superintendent
Irresponsible for the regulations and discip-
line of the prisoners, and that he shall see
that they are properly cared for and well
treated. And Just here we would suggest
that we do not believe that the State has
any moral right to transfer the control
and custody of parties, when their well
being depends solely upon the chance
humanity of that party. Il Is well known
that where interest conflicts with humani-
ty the great probability is that the latter
viii be forgotten
The lessees of each department should
be required to give bond with good and
approved security for the payment Of the
rent quarterly, and such regulations made
as to secure Us payment and the continued
operation of the shops.
The capitol grounds commenced before
the war ought TO be completed as early as
| possible, with as little expense to
the State. This can be done by requiring
| the prison superintendent to employ n
master mechanic as foreman in the stone
department, and placing him in
| charge of 80 cOnvictS retained
for the State exclusively for that
pUrsose. This could not affect the lease
above proposed, as the majority Of these
laborers would be used for quarTying pur-
poses, which is the only efficient employ
ment for short term men. The plan We
suggest is simply that the State shall clOthe
and feed the prisoners, run the machinery,
and deliver each day the men leased to the
lessees, and that the lessees shall pay
! quarterly their rents. And further, that
the superintendent, after paying the cur
rent expenses of the prison, be required to
pay over all funds in his hands at the end
! of each quarter to the ComptrOller.
| There are several States that have adopted
this system. In Ohio and New York il
is the only one that has succeeded. I'm
der this plan, the State controls the pris-
oners, through regularly salaried officers,
and will be regularly paid for its convict
labor All possibility of fraud or cOuup
ton is precluded and lengthy contracts,
legislation and reports rendered unneces-
| sary.
1t is well known TO many that there are
several parties in the city or near it who
are now anxious snd ready to lease several
departments in the prison. Besides this.
one of our leading city merchants was told
/ by gentleman in New York who is now
largely engaged in the manufacture OF
harness in the New York prison, that be
would gladly come to Tennessee if he
could hire the labor of 70 or 100 cOnvicts.
| This gentleman desires to buy a large
| tract of our white-Oak lands, and if be can
secure this labor will go into the manu-
facture of harness for the Southern mar
| ket
One Of the largest and most influential
firms in the city are anxious to secure con
Wet labor for various purposes. There Is
another view in which this matter strongly
recommends itself. There would be no
outlay of money by the State TO put the
| system into operation, which, under
any other where the State retained con-
troll, great expense would be necessary.
We submit this plan for the public con
sideration, but more especially to the Leg
islature and the Penitentiary Committee,
and ask that the latter give it a thoughtful
| consideration. X