The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-04-06
Mechanics, Meeting Last Might.

Pursuant to notice a very large meeting
of the sturdy Mechanics and citizens OF our
city was held at the Senate Chamber last
night. The meeting, it was generally un-
derstood, was for the purpose of protesting
against the leasing of the Mississippi State
Prison under the provisions of a bill now
pending in the Legislature. Gen. f. af-
ford was called to the Chair and C.. A.
Lusk acted as Secretary.
The merits of the bill were fully discussed
and the following resolutions were unani-
mously adopted
Whereas. A bill has been introduced into
the Legislature of the State of Mississippi,
entitled "an act TO regulate the present
! lease of the State Penitentiary, to provide
| for charging and leasing the same, and for
other purposes" which Is calculated in its
! provisions to bring the labor of the convicts
| in this institution into direct and fatal COM
petition with the labor and capital of the
mechanics and manufacturers, not only of
Jackson, but Indirectly, of the whole State,
and,
Whereas, Said bill, in the judgment of
| this meeting, materially compromises the
interests of the State by continuing, for
! fifteen years. the lease, which was made Of
| said institution by military authority. with
the present lessee, whereby boon of $1,000
a month is paid to said lessee and in addi-
LlOn 10 Ludb- ituDOslilZ All lnNcDlGuuCSs vi nOL
less than $4,000 upon the State, In the
present impoverished condition of the peo-
pie and OF the Treasury, for repairing and
eplarging the buildings; and,
| Whereas. 1t is further the opinion Of this
! meeting that said bill was gotten up by and
greater benefits and privileges than should
| be conferred upon any citizen. when the bur-
den of paying for them is to be borne by the
labor and capital of other citizens; Their
| fore be it resolved:
LIST. That the principle recognized in said
bill. of bringing the labor of convicts In the
| Penitentiary in competition with, and to
| the destruction of the labor of the honest
mechanics, artizans and manufacturers of
| the city ofJacksOn directly, and Of the State
indirectly,is unwise, unjust and inexpedient;
and such was the verdict of public senti-
ment, and of former legislation on the sub
| ject.
2d. II is the sense of this meeting. repre-
scented, personally, by almost every me-
chanic in the city ofJackson, that the whole
amount of machinery contemplated by said
| bill. and which the lessee Is required TO
| furnish, and turn over TO the State at the
expiration of his lease, can be purchased
and put in operation for a sum not exceed
ing 100000, whilst he will have received
| from the State, for the fifteen years provi-
ded for in said bill, in the bonus alone. Sc
cured by the 18th Section, the sum of $780,
600, to which should be added the same
which is estimated at three years-supposed
| to be the time-giving $4,000 more, max
! ing the whole bonus 1924 900; and TO that
should be added the amount authorized by
said bill to be expended by the State in re-
pairing and charging the buildings. $780,
600, making grand total of $444,OOO with
out interest, expended by the State, In
return for which she gets machinery worth
probably s. toheR Heto, which may
have been used by the lessee for twelve or
fourteen years.
3. That IL is further the sense of this meet
ing that it is greatly to the interest OF the
State that the Penitentiary should continue
under the management and control furnish
ed by the law heretofore in force, and that
labor Of the couvicts should be employed,
as far as practicable, In the manufacture of
Gotten and wooden goods; that the present
grounds and buildings should be sold and
the institution located In the country; and,
for that purpose, that plantation. at some
convenient point to navigation or railroad
TRANSPORTATION, should be purchased, with
fuel and water abundant and at no expense,
and where the labor of the convicts could
also be employed IN the production OF yege-
tables, corn, meat, &C. sufficient to support
them. The removal of It to the country
would be attended with immunity TO the
convicts from epidemics.
A. That IL has proved a profitable invest
ment 60 the present lessee,is attested by the
fact of his great anxiety TO renew the lease
for fifteen years. Ii Is safe to assume that
his profits and the losses Of the State are
equal. IL IL is the better policy TO continue
to lease the institution, then this. meeting
recommend that IL be offered at public anc-
ton, with ample and extended notice Of the
time and place of lease; that capitalists from
abroad may be induced TO compete for IL,
and thus Increase the revenue arising from
the lease Of it.
d. That our immediate Representatives
and Senators are earnestly requested to en-
force the views expressed herein upon the
Legislature, and by their votes and inhu-
ence defeat said bill IL possible
6. That the papers of the city be request
ed 10 publish the proceedings Of this meet
ing, and that the Secretary furnish them
copies Of the same.