New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-10-02
sERFDOu IN MISSISSIPPI
THE oDIors TREATMENT OF CoNyICTs

THE ODIOTS TREATMENT OF CONNlCiS.
A CONTrAcr SYSTEM TsrABIIsIuD TOR THE rUA-
POSE OF HOLDING TIE NEGROES UNprR STRICT
CoSrROL-sLAvERY UNDER ANorHrR NAML.
10 me razor Or me tribune.
SIR: May ] ask yolr very careful attention to
tle .Nii.sis.ipp Law" herewith. incosed Tie
certified copy, obt4lrod from the Secretary OF
state at Jackson is in my possession. In my opin-
ion It is more significant of the real condition -
feeling in the South than any casual expression,
whether by speeches or popular demonstration.
You have never been forward to "wave the bloody
shirt y and we know that party strife and personal
aniinosl;ies may lead 10 violence anywhere, and
may no, be always chargcable TO the anti-ncpio or
anti Republican account. But this IS deliberate
and careful legislation, the evident purpose OF
which is t. hold the laboring classes, that is the
negroes under strict control. What chance would
they have in a community where the emancpa-
ton of slaves is regarded as having been deadly
curse3 If va are az familiar as | am with the
actual social condition of tie Southern States, you
Will understand how completely helpless, under
this law, the blacks would be. This is one explana-
Of the great exodus from Mississippl last spring,
which will be greater next year. Similar laws ex-
ist IN Georgia and Louisiana of which hope 10
obtain record Soon
The election now coming on IN New-Iork may
determine the National policy for the next four
years and no better service can be done than to let
your people know the present tendency of Legislation
at the South, the result of which, under National
Democratic rule. would be the practical Iecstab
lishment of slavery or serfdom equally bad in all
the Southern States. ST. LOUIS.
ST. Louis, No. sept. Is, 1879.
The main parts of this Mississippi law follow,
An act 10 reduce the judiciary expenses this State
HECTIOS BE enacted by ne Legislature u The Stdte
lr.4f IL 4ltk T4sIA lIa flfV
Boars Supervisors Of oacn county OF this State TO
make contract with some responsible person per
sons for the and safekeeping OF prisoners
committed the Jail of their county Provided.
maj no contract shall be made that will NOT entirely re-
iirye the county all LIABILITY for jail other
costs ana that viii secure the paymen OF all lines Into
tIe county treasury and provided further that said
contract shall continue for the term Of four years and
The shall give bond with satisfactory
inv to said Board payable the State OF Mississippi
the use of county; conditioned. that he Will faith
fully comply with Ills laid contract
EXC. 2 he IL further endefed That all persons con-
ylcted and committed the jail o. the county, except
committed 10 the jail FOR contempt Of Court. ana
except those sentenced To III ihe penen-
ary shall he delivered 10 the said contractor TO be by
HIM aud worked under sad contract and under the
provisions Of TINS act; ana an persons committed to jan
except those not entitled 10 bal. may Also with their
consent he committed TO said contractor and worked
uuder this act b fore conviction.
SIC g. lie further enacted That II shall be the duty
Of SAID contIasior 10 PioN1T 'I' ,gn5 suc,ns
he sale keeping Of said prisoners. And he shall pro-
vide win sufficient iood anu clothing and me.ii
cine and medical attention, ana may Work the
SAID prisoners on n farm o. al any other law
aud regulations as convcs are worked by The lessees of
the state Fcnitentiary and he shall be- liable III of
escape rs SAID iesstcs and ne may adopt scn safe
guards To said csSees are permitted
To ADOPT He saal have those prisoners committed Tor
trial before the Circuit Court held III the county
AT The term the sand Court when hey needed for
trial aud sheriff shall secure them ana cOntne
them IN iail such term long ~ their prcsence
be needed, aud when no longer needed, II not
discharged by The Court, they shall be re-
DELIVERED said contractors ana the Sheriff, whilst
having them custody, shall receive from the Comfy
Treasury the js fees allowed by law the presonta
uor of his account. audited and approved, MS now
quircd 10y law
sIc A. BE further enacted, That when any prisoner
shall be convicted of misdemeanOr by any Court or
Ju-ce OF the Peace, n the fire aud cots not mme
dtcly paid or secured be paid within sixty days 10
The said Justice OF the Peace. the SHEER
III IN case before the Circuit Court said
yc shall committed TO said contractor, who shall
keen aud work him the rate OF 70 cents day.
Including sundays and days IN which said convict shall
be unable labor Tor cause by his consent shall
not labor. said contractor shall pay the said fine aud
Gusts ana he liable ms bond for the same: and he
mall not be excused therefrOm, unless said convict
shall die without working sufficient To pay the
same: or unlrss said convict shall be, he
come from continued III health, unable 10 work In
may order his discharge without payment Of costs but
uulss discharged said convict shall work two days
Tor every lost by sickness one OF which days shall
he for com peusation 0f keeping him during day
which lie sick and Whenever said convict ahAll 10