The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-05-03
AN ACT provide for leasing the Penientiary and
the convict labor of the State.

AN ACT to provide for leasing out the Penentiary and
the convict labor of the State.
SECTION 1. Be 1t enacted By the Legislature
Of tie State Of Mississippi, That the Inspec-
tors of the PenitentarY be, and they are hereby
appointed Commissioners, who, such, are
hereby authorized to lease out the Penitentia-
ry of the State, together with all the convicts
now in the Penitentiary, and who may be sent
to the Penitentiary during the continuance of
said lease said lease to continue for the term
of four years said Commissioners shall give
notice in such newspaper as, in their judgment,
will give a general notice for thirty days; that
upon a day fixed by said advertisement, they
will receive propositions to lease out the Peni-
tertiary and convict labor of the State, in &C
cordance with the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 2. Be at further enacted, That, in order
to save the State from all expense, growing out
of feeding clothing and maintaining said con
victs, the lessee or lessees shall, at least, be
required to iced and clothe the convicts, as is
now required by law, furnish them medi-
cine and medical attendance, and proper care
when sick, pay the expense Oh conveying said
convicts from the county where convicted to
the Penitentiary, or place of labor, pay all eX-
pense for guarding said convicts, and when a
convict escapes said lessee or lessees shall no.
tify the Governor of the State thereof, whose
duty it shall be to offer reward not exceeding
fifty dollars, for the arrest and confinement in
jail of said convict And when arrested, it
shall be the duty of said lessee or lessees to
cause said convict to be brought back to the
Penitentiary or place of labor, said lessee or
lessees paying all the expenses of advertising
for the arrest of said convict; also to pay said
reward, Jail fees and the expense of bringing
said convict back to the Penitentiary or place
Of labor; and upon the failure to give the Gov
ernor of the State notice of the escape of any
convict said lessee or lessees shall be liable to
a penalty of one hundred dollars to be recov-
cred for the of the State, for each convict so
escaping, in any court having jurisdiction there
Of And when any convict is pardoned, or his
term of service expires, if said convict has been
undergoing a sentence of confinement and hard
labor, for the period of twelve months, said
lessee or lessees shall give to said convict a
plain suit of citizens clothes, and the sum of
ten dollars in cash.
SEC 3. Be 1t further enacted, That said
lessees shall be required to work all convicts
sentenced for a longer period than ten years,
within the walls of the Penitentiary, or so near
thereto as to have said convicts confined with
in the cells of the Penitentiary at night; and
all conVicts sentenced for period of ten years
or less, said lessee or lessees may work outside
Of the Penitentiary, but within the limits of
this State, in building railroads. levees or any
private labor or employment; and the convicts,
who are worked outside of the Penitentiary,
shall be guarded with reasonable guard, to-
prevent escapes, and shall be lodged in com
Portable quarters, enclosed by a good and sub
stantial stockade or fence to prevent escapes,
and shall not be permitted to be or remain
outside of said enclosure after dark and said
convicts shall not be permitted to leave the
premises upon which they labor in day time,
except they be accompanied by sufficient
guard. No person shall be permitted to
have any intercourse or conversation with said
convicts, except the relatives of said convicts
may hold conversation with them in the pres
ence of the manager, lessee or lessees, or
sergeant of the guard; nor shall any person
remain within said quarters, within said
stockade or enclosure, except the guard, said
lessee or lessees, or their employees.
SEC. 4. Be 1t further enacted, That the
lessee, his assigns, ETC., shall appoint and
pay all officers, superintendent and guards, ex-
cept the State Superintendent, who shall be
appointed and paid, as provided by existing
laws; Provided, That the duty Of the said