The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1875-07-17
NEW ORLEANS CORRESPONDENCE.
New ORLEANS, July 18th, 1875.


On the complaint of the Metropoli-
tan Police Board Attorney General
Field has directed the district attor-
ney Of Baton Rouge to proceed in
enforcement Of the law of 1875, APP
proved March 3lst, prohibiting the
employment of convicts on work
outside of the State penitentiary.
Taking a convict ont is a INSIDE
meanor to be punished by fine of
$1,000 and two years Imprisonment.
The lessee permitting it to be done
forfeits the lease, and is liable to a
penalty of $4,000. It is alleged the
law has been violated, and number
of convicts have thus been enabled to
escape and return to their old haunts.
Whatever may. have been their de-
Tense heretofore, the lessees should be
made to understand that this nuisance
and inhuman treatment of prisoners
shall not be tolerated. 1t is a disgrace
that has been complained Of frequent
~ during number of years. Senator
Burca espoused the cause Of the NAL
treated convicts at an early day, but
for some reason or other, reports of
investigating committees fell still
born, and no action was had until the
last session. Convicts are sentenced
for term within the walls, and plac-
ing them outside not only facilitates
means Of escape, but it is an addition
al punishment to some and dimin-
ished one to others, which no law
should place in the hands of an inter
ested contractor to exercise. The
prison system Of Louisiana at best
cries out against humanity-is bar
barous, unchristian and cruel. They
cage men like beasts for crimes they
are only partially responsible for;
withdraw from them the pity their
weakness and error should excite;
and provide them with no means OF
method by which they could reason
ably be expected to improve or re-
form. It is work worthy of the press
and pulpit to revolutionize public
opinion on this point.
Sheriff Smith of East Feliciana tel
egraphed the 9th inst, declaring his
inability to protect life and property,
and to enforce orders of court, excite
ment being very high between white
and cclorel. Governor Kellogg di-
rected him to summon posse and
order rioters to dispense. All is re-
ported quiet, and the cause of the
trouble is unknown to the public.
The Vicksburg packets refuse to
carry the mails at government rates.
The Postmaster General directs Post
master Parker to make arrangements
with any steamer willing to carry
hem. If they refuse, and the public
S deprived Of the accommodation the
responsibility will rest wnere it be-
ongs. ..-
Auditor Clinton, on the ninth in
tant, replied to certain iDterrogatives
addressed hih BY the executive COM
nittee of the Property Holders Union.
the organization of a move
nent by which property can be re-
ieved of an overburdened rate of tax
ton as opportune; and has labored
lmost single handed for the same
purpose. The interest tax is 81 mills
chool tax 2 mills, and can not we'll
e reduced; levee tax, fixed by law,
mills, can not be lowered, unless
be United States takes charge of the
evees; the ! mill State House tax is
for two years, making
otal OF eleven mills, leaving only to
e considered the general fund tax of
! mills. This could be fixed at two
Hills, which, together with licenses
'ould produce a suffice general fund
properly administer the State gov
To consummate this re-
uctidsi of II mills, would require the
odification of statute laws in refer
ice to salaries, fees, commissions, etc.
would be practical in this connec-
on to prepare acts for submission
the next Legislature. He will as
st in this labor. The present State
'bt, bonded and funded is $21 ,O99.- !,
No; rate of taxation l44 mills; ex-
'nses of the State-for support of ,
,varnmont q TO OnO e. = |