The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1878-12-26
The Pcnitentiary.

Not long since, while in Nashville
We availeG ourself Of an opportunity to
visit our State Prison, and were very
kindly shown all through the different
departments of the institution. We
tel, peculiar interest in observing ev-
erything connected with the manages
ment thereof, mainly because the qnes'
ton of Convict Labor has been dis
turbing element in the politics Of Ten
nessee for a good while. 1t is very
natural that every homes, mechanic and
laborer should object to the prescn,
system Of hiring the convicts to work
outside of the prison walls, thereby
bringing convict labor IN competition
with honest labor, or this We 90 not
propose to argue pro OF con. Ac>
cording to contract with the lessees,
the State gets 87O,5O0 per year, the
lessees agreeing TO pay the transport
tation Of convicts from the jails to the
Ptnitentiary, which item against the
State used to amount to about 8l2,5OO
year; SO that really the State re-
ceives now $4,000 per year from the
lease, and it is the first time in many
years the tax payers have received any
benefit from the institution. In fact
no State in the Union receives so large
IL revenue from prison as Tennessee
receives. And the lessees are doing
more than was anticipated. We un
dcrstand that over 5000 wagons will
BE- made this year. These wagons are
very superior in their "get-up." and
are sold mostly outside o. the State at
$50 each. The lessees may reap a
handsome proftb BY being Industrious
and managing well, and il they should,
many will ask why cannot the State do
as well, and make money out of the
prison. 1t is sufficient to say that the
State never did do a. well, but it might
But, ut all events, the question is not
now, nor can it be, a party question.
There can Se now no cry Of bribery Of
Democratic officers. The lease has
five years more time to run, reaching
beyond the 81 term Of the incoming
administration, AMI Governor Marks
could do nothing one way or the otis
or. The truth is, looking at the matter
from financial standpoint, the tax.
payer could naturally feel little fear
that the lessecs may get tired of their
bargain. We mention these things fer
the consideration OF those who
oppose the present lease, bnt do not
propose better plan financially.
But what we desire to express our
opinion about is: the management o!
the prisoners within the walls. There
are over six hundred, and they work as
conten,edly as if they were paid foI
their work outside of prison walls
There are very few guards. There is
no whipping of refractory prisoners
because proper treatment shames them
into obedience. And the present on
Ulcers of the Penitentiary seem to know
the philosophy Of managing convicts
They seem TO realize the truth Of the
uSSeTIlOu Iual hinuuGoS 10 Cplt
which passes current everywhere. il
wins hearts and softens hard natures
II secures obedience where threats and
torce would fail" You meet a boot
black whose former treatment has not
tended to devclope tho better qualities
OF his nature; treat him politely. and
mark how quick he is to appreciate the
courtesy. He will put brighter pol
ish on your boots for q pleasant wo:d,
and be happy. 1.-The laborer who car.
ries the bod feols his manhood when
he is treated like q man. The shop
girl aims to become better woman
when she fluids that her womanhood is
respected" And We must cay thai
while the present officers OF the peni-
Tertiary are not superior to many 9th.
ers who would do as we'll alter similar
experience, as they do, yet We doubt II
any could DO a. well without their ex
perience. And We :t.ank them heartily
for their kindness TO US when We visit
cd the PcnitontiarJ.