The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1872-01-11
MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR.

ate without his approval, and the enclosed
message in writing, setting forth his rea-
sons for such disapproval, viz:
An act entitled an act to incorporate the
Grenada Savings Bank and Trust Company.
An act entitled respectively an act 10
authorize the Boards of Supervisors to pay
the Clerk OF said Board a salary in lieu of
fees.
An act entitled an act TO extend the time
for assessing the taxes in DeSoto county
for the year ISL.
To the Senate
GENTLEAIEN-The bill herewith transmit
ted entitled an act.te regulate the lease of
the State Penitentiarv, TO provide for Ell
larging and leasing the same, and for other
purposes, was among large number OF
other unsigned bills turned over to me
nv his ExcellencY. J. L. Alcorn, at the time
he resigned the office of Governor. on the
Both OF last November. My objections to
the bill are, that it is founded upon false
principles. and makes extravagant demands
upon the public Treasury. There is prin-
ciple OF common law which holds State
res ponsiple for the safe-keeping of its con-
victs.
Justice demands that criminals should be
punished, and the administering of punish
ment is one Of the duties of a government
it is an act of sovereignty which can be
rightfully exercised only by the officers of
the law. This bill proposes TO absOlve the
State from the responsibility of keeping
and furnishing criminals by turning them
over to a private citizen, whose chief object
in securing them is TO make their labor a
source of private gam.
The amount of labor that may be requir
ed or the severity OF discipline which may
be used to enforce il is left to the humanity,
and may be measured by the selfishness of
the lessee.
Reforming the criminal, which should be
a chief object of punishment, is not contem-
plated in this measure, which is based ex-
clusirely upon Il monied consideration
But the repulsive and heartless proposition
of making convicts sentenced 10
confinement in the Penitentiary a sub
ject of pure speculation Is rendered
doubly Objectionable when, as in this
bill. it is proposed TO publicly ex-
hiblt the faithlessress of the government
towards its industrious, law-abiding citizens
by parading criminals over the State, and
placing them, in close contact and competi-
ton with free labor. i cannot give my con-
sent to a proposition which Is SO wanting in
hum anitY TO the convict,and at the same time
unjust to the honest citizen. As measure
of economy this bill is exceedingly ooJec-
tionable, It contemplate the expeDdlIure
of one hundred and forty thousand dollars
during the present year An amount when
the State is in 10 condition To pay, ana
largely in excess of the amount needed, I'M
der wise management, Tor the purposes OF
the penitentiary.
The following exhibits " i'll show the total
expenditure provided for during the fifteen
years contemplated by the lease:
Section 3. Erecting new buildings ana
Section s. Board of Control, salary $500
Section Ii. Additional shops, re-
section II. Monthly allowance, -
'e reward H. 225,OoO
Total SSl9OOO
Animal Expenditure 54633
Estimating the number of eonviets AZ "a,
the number now reported in the penitentia-
ry, and the expenditure required for each
individual convict, would be 1898 30 annu-
ally-am amount largely in excess of that
allowance for clothing, board and tuition
for student supported by the State ID
either of the Universities. when lt Is taken
into account that in addition 20 the ABOVE
extavagant allowance, the lessee - granted
free use OF the present penitentlary prop
erty exempted from taxation, and also the
fnll proceeds from the labor of all the con-
yicts sentenced TO the penitentlary, the Dill
assumes the proportions OF a gigantic spec
ulation without n redeeming feature 10 re-
commend it 20 public favor.
With these brief objections. 1 return ,.
B. III to the House la which iE origlnn-
ted, and trust that you viii coincide. on re-
consideration. with me in the opinion rhaf
il ought not TO become = law.
Signed: j. c. PowKRs, Governor.