The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-01-05
THE LEASE OF The PENETEN-
TTARE.


in its columns, that it was the inten-
ton of Mr.. kellogg to recommend to
the Legislature the annulling of the
contract now in "strict bonds with
Major S. L. James, the present lessee
of the State Penetentiary. AT the
time we thought it so unlikely that
we passed the matter out of mind,
but recently have real assurances
that Mr.. Kellogg really means it, and
it will be urged in his coming Mes
sage. With this view Of the matter
we must at once notice it, and give
timely warning to our Representa-.
tives, and to the members of the Leg
islature generally, TO weigh we'll this
bold attempt at bare breach offaith
and violation of a sacred compact
and accordingly not to be deluded by
it, but on the contrary oppose it, and
let the contract remain firm and
binding as law and equity have it.
Our reasons for opposition to Kel
logg's move are many and have truth
sound sense and good faith to guide
them, and briefly and plainly we shall
here record them. In the first place
it will become necessary to violate
and break contract already made
in existence and being faithfully full
filled and carried out, with the Les
sees, who have the Penitentiary now
under lease. The Lessees, as We
have stated, are maintaining it in
good faith, free of expense to the
State, and this alone should hinder
any legislation in the interest of Mr.
Kellogg's advice. And here We
would remark, that the avowed in
tention is also in progress to get {
new Levee Bill or Company, and make
the convicts of the Penetentiary act
as adjuncts to this new Levee steal
Besides being a dual breach of faith
we assert, and dare contradiction tt
our assertion, that the labor is now
being applied in building our Rail
road, surely a more useful purpose
than to utilize it as a cloak for an
other big Levee steal. In the mex
place it must be admitted and cam
be gainsaid, that the people: particu
larly in New Orleans and this sec
ton Of our State, are receiving thu
benefit of this labor at the actual cos
of maintaining it, the Lessees to re
ceive their profit, if any, in Bonds O.
the Road upon its completion. It is
a well known and patent fact that
without this arrangement the people
of New Orleans cannot build this
more than important Road, the life
and soul of Louisiana.
And now we assume and urge an
other vital consideration for our op
position to this new tangled breach
offaith contemplated by Mr.. Kellogg
and which alone should halt him il
it, and cause the Legislature to break
lances with him at once. We learr
from undoubted sources, and may bt
considered as stating it by the card
that it costs from eleven to twelve
thousand dollars monthly in United
States currency to support the insti
tuition, and this with close economy
and good management. Now we ask
interested ones to pause here, and re
feet what it would cost under the
State management, payable in acar
rants, for in no other way, shape OF
manner could it be run2 Ponder
well here, for here comes the new milk
in the fresh cocoanut-warrants a
80 per cent. discount, the State Com
missioners, besides their big salary
would have to stand for the poo
State huge shave in purchasing pro
visions-for they will not have thu
cash like the Lessees to purchase
them-and add stealage, sanctioned
by custom, and instead Of $4,000
per month, it would take near $40,
900 in warrants to foot the BILL
With the 8 mill tax absorbed, and tn
prospect of the General Government
assuming charge of the Leyees, th'
State saddled with the expense o
$4S0,000 per annum, and here yol
have taxation reduced with a ven
geance.
Again we must be permitted tt
ask is this Boss Packard's grea
scheme for reducing taxation; if so
it is bad beginning and we tell Mr.
Kellogg it won't do. And we hav'
cause to presume, and that presump
ton is near moulded into fact will
us, that this proposed taking charg'
of the Penitentiary hands is in tn,
;-A.~..A 80 O.11a-- .~l W. ~