Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1870-02-18

institutions as we'll as our own, be- |
lieve, has demonstrated that this can
not be done with any profit by the
State. Hence, in most of the States
the contract system" has been re-
sorted to, and, so far as am inform
ed, with good success. The convicts
are employed under contracts with
persons not otherwise connected with
the prisons extending from three to
FIVE years, at certain stipulated price
per day, in the manufacture of arti-
cles of merchandise, but principally
boots and shoes. In such cases the
State furnishes only the necessary
room for the accommOdation of the
prisoners and the power (stea;fi oT wa.
teri necessary for the propulsion of
the machinery required, and guards,
or keepers IL sufficient numbers to
prevent the escape of the prisoners,
and to preserve order and discipline
among them. / am strongly of the
opinion that the State can be relieved
from very large portion of the ex-
penses of the penitentiary by. the
proper introduction of this system. /
have already, in my possession, one
or two propositions from entirely re-
sponsible parties, proposing to em-
ploy all the able-bodicd male prison.
ers in the institution in the manufac-
ture of boots and shoes. / have de-
layed accepting any propositions thus
far, because, among other reasons,
the State government had not been
fully organized under the Constitu-
tion, and because it appeared to me
that some additional legislation might
be required. The present buildings
are old, much out of repair, unsafe,
and not we'll adapted for prison witt
the necessary workshops. 1t must be
repaired, and ought to de remodeleC
and enlarged, or a new penitentiary
built.
The lands occupied by the ;nstitu
ton at this time are too valuable To-
such a purpose. A New location car
undoubtedly be obtained, easy of ac
cess and possessing equal or create
advantages than the present, and new
more suitable and complete building
erec c.ed thereon ut an expense no
very much in excess of the value o
the present penitentiary property. |
your Honorable Bodies should agre
with me in this view of the subject,
would recommend that immediate ac
ton be taken for the sale of tn
: present, and the puchase of me-
: site. Repairs of temporary and IL
q expensive nature can be made upo
the present property, SO as to rende
it comfortable for occupation until til
IF buildings are completed, and chea
wooden structure can be erected will
. in the open area enclosed by the pre-
~ ~ ent buildings, for temporary accom-
d mediation of the contractors for I'll
VI prison labor. The contractors then
!, selves would doubtless make these II
III pairs and erect such temporary buil'
u ings as they deem necessary, at the
own expense, receiving their compel
Oh sation therefor from the labor of Il
~ prisoners. But if you shall deem
:. inexpedient to change the location
NJ the prison, then the repairs upon Il
~ present property should be of mo
IT, permanent nature, and the new bull
is ings of a more durable and commoC
ne Gus character, and differently locate
= II is quite important that prom
sc decision should be arrived at, as
nj which course shall be pursued in {
is- der that contracts may be made
IT, the profitable employment OF the We
ne large number of now idle. and eXpe
p, sive prisoners.
~ STATE GUARD.
he II Is proper in this connection
,or speak Of the State Guard. The l
an cessity for some organization like
wn former State Guard. or State Poli'
it'll is too apparent to require comment
lis argument from me. Men must
rye employed to guard the penitentia1
mn and to care for and procect the pub
on, property. In my opinion, miht'
raj organization is preferable to any o
ion err 1t is quite probable that the st
The Guard might be reorganized under
the present laws, but have preferred
the defer all action in that behalf III
INV the opinion of the General Assem-
TO could be had.
For respectfully recommend that
lvi- subject be considered and acted "a
ma at the earliest practicable moment
to CITY, TOWN AND COUNTY oFFIcEI
us Among the important subjects
nts. manding your immediate attenti
eth one of the first will be that OF
fter vidinp for filling the various city, to
,iyil and county Offices, until regular 9
~ tions can be held. The Conslltul
sne provides for holding regular electi
soV- In cities and towns on the fGt
!, | Thursday I'm Nav, and I'm cOuntiel
nro- the first Tuesday after the first NJ
os day in November. Before any G
y tions, general or special, can he pro
ly held, IL will be necessary iof yo
enact "A general registration law
Il, provide the mode and manner in wi
'ih elections shall be held. Our pre-
ana statutes are inconsistent with the
and visions of the constitution upon
nor, importaut subject. The 22d sectio
. in. the fifth article of the constitution
lfety S1uo.tI,y yon,oIn ui nower 70 All ali
The oti,ees oi In such a manner as to il :
eep- seem best, until regular elections
ena- he held. | doubt the propriety oI
not ing special elections in these cast
tiary .hiS ,,i ,,Il,e inae.sori1y % he % consumed in
lous fecting the requisite legislation for
year purpose, the great expense which
.ased elections would entail upon the [
81 of monwealth, ought, il possible I
-, avoided. In the meantime II Is of
'Son- amount importance that many Of
was offices should be promptly hlled
nary, appears TO me, therefore, advi
ID TO that the Legislature at a very !
year day enact Jaw au'i,o,lzl nOnoin I "
were officers can be regularly elected