The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1880-03-02

with che lessees was made.
Mr.. Bailey declared his intention 70 vote
for the Senate bill He referred 70 the discus
siOns in the Legislature Of 1876 that ar.
Hamilton made the best bid under the pub
lished proposals, and that under the lease BY
him the State had been saved q vast expendi-
ture of money He referred TO the heavy cost
OF operating he Penitentiary By the state,
aud felt satisfied that the best interests OF the
State would be promoted by continuing the
present lease. The Dill now before the House
came with the endorsement OF the Senate, hrst
having been carefully serutiniEed 81 the ap-
propriate committee OF that body.
Mr. Atwood argued at rr'at length and with
great earnestDess, against the whole leasing
system.
Mr.. Walker regretted that the Code Commit
tee had not been able 10 settle this vexed
question for the Legislature. Are we pre-
pared to say that there is only one man, or
Que set Of men, that can operate the Penlten-
tiary without cost TO the Slater He did not
think the House was ready TO assent to such .
proposition. He favored the amendment of
Tered By Mr.. Buchanan, because It gave all
who wanted this labor an opportunity to Did
for it.
Mr.. Lewis, of Claiborne, said he had given
this subject a patient consideration. As
Penitentiary Commissioner in another State,
and as q member OF the Penitentisry Com
mlHee OF THIS mouse, III lcVoi ut HoS
somewhat familiar with the question. he
reviewed the history of the lease to Messrs.
Young & Co., Lyle, Dunnavent, and T.
Richardson, and the Penitentiary has never
seen the day when it was self-sustaining in
stitution until Hamilton and Co. took it.
Mr.. Richardson got bonus of $4,000 year
during the time he had it. The objection to
working the convicts on plantations, he con-
ceded but all the bills submitted were open to
that ohiaefinu Savan railraa1a
projected and this convict labor could be
utilized, underline Senate bill, in the build
ing of thse roads. He referred 10 the expert.
ence of Northern and Eastern States, and
held that they were nearly all being forced
into the leasing system. The bill now before
the House had passed the approval of the Com
mittees of both bodies. TheState will lose moth
ing By releasing the Pententiary TO Jones s.
Hamilton & Co. The State was now indebted
to Messrs. Hamilton & Co., the sum of $4,000;
extend the lease, and that debt is cancelled.
He would rejoice if crime could be so diminish
ed as the present capacity of the Pententiary
would be equal to the care, within the walls,
of all who should be sent there, but until this
can be realized, he proposed to take Hobsons
choice, and would vote for the Senate bill
Mr.. Anderson, while complimenting the
present lessee upon the faithful execution Of
his contract, and as gentleman of expansive
views as to internal improvements and diver
styling the industries of the State, he could not,
as business proposition, vote for the Senate
bill. The lesses seemed to be anxious for an
extension of their lease, which fact shows that
the State can incur no risk in inviting propo-
sails for this convict labor. He referred to the
general dissatisfaction throughout the State
against the present lease, and it the lease is
to be contained six years, the dissatisfaction
would be intense.
Mr.. Sykes said it was not prudent or becom-
ing that the Legislature should legslate into
the hands OF one man or q set of men, matter
of so much Importance. The Senate bill was
in the shape of a close corporation, and was
wroOg in principle. The Legislature of 1876
did not place the penitentary in the hands of
Jones s. Hamilton & Co.. but that Legislature
did what Mr.. Buchanans amendment now
proposes, to let out the penitentiary to the
highest and best bidders. He referred to the
peculiar condition OF things in 1876, and con-
trasted the same with the more prosperous and
settled condition of things at present.
Mr.. Spears was opposed to the leasing sys-
tem in the abstract, and stated how, under The
operation of that system, the sentence of tho
court would not be carried out either in letter
or in spirit. But while opposed to that sys-
TEN, he must accept the most practical plan
submitted for the management Of the penften-
tiary. lie favored the Senate bill. which am
ply guarded the interests of the State-a sys-
TEN which had been tried and was successful.
Mr.. Lyle was opposed to the leasing system.
on principle, but if that plan is to be Continued
he held that all should have an opportunity
OF avlllng themselves of whatever advantage
there may be in it, He urged objections 10
the Senate bill, preferred the bill proposed by
the Code Committee but would support the
amendment offered by Mr.. Buchanan.
Mr.. Melville called attention to several in
accuracies into which gentlemen had fallen
in discussing this question, In stating thai,
the State only got 81 10 per month, the expe n
ses borne by the lessees should be consider ed
clothing, guarding, meflicai
attention, etc. These were ample Offsets
the 81 10 being the net amount realized bv
the State. For the debt Of $4,000 now due to
Hamilton 4 Co., the State would have sub-
stantial buildings and other improvements as
equivalent. This matter had bean agitoteI
for months, and if other men of enterprise and
capital wanted the Penitentiary. whv had
they not applied for it? When Hamilton &
20. took the lease, there was general pre-
diction that they would be swamped by it.
Mr.. Harrison favored Mr.. Buchanan's SUBJ
stitute, II the leasing system is to be con-
tlhued, let que advertisement be made. The
bidding.
Mr.: Williams ssid that he was member of
the House during Governor Browns admin
lstration, when the Penitentiary question was
then fully discussed 1t was then considered
small sized elephant--a white one. if Won
please-lt was now a massive black one. with
small white stripe, The Senate bill was
more in accord with his view than any other
that had heen proposed. Hamilton & Co., had
re1eoted credit upon themselves, and con-
ferred benefits upon the State. They hsd
worked out results which few men could have
achleved. The great question heretofore has
been to save the State from expense in the
management of this institution, but H0w that
Messrs. Hamilton Co., may have Flade some
thing Tor themselves, we hear of numerous
others who are willing to relieve the State Of
this ourthen. Why have they not come for
wa,u ana put tneir propositions in practical
and substantial shape.
M watson referred to the remarks of
Hessrs' MELVILLE and Williams, that
Il others wanted the lease, they should be here
10 submit their propositions. He did not sup
pose mat parties interested imagined that the
Legislature was sitting here as Board Of
supervisors, to make contracts for the hiring
lut of conyicts. He thought there had been
great anxiety developed to take care Of the
black elephant referred by the gentleman from
jrenada; and although Messrs. Hamilton 4
20. may nesihe only ones of sufficient capaci-
y and sense to manage II, he was willing
hat others should have an opportunity 10
make trial. If they failed, the State woul6
'e secure IN sAe ample bond required
Mr.. Shields moved the previous question
tut subsequently withdrew the motion,
Mr., holland moved 10 refer the hill and
amendment to special committee Of FIVE.
MIR. Bailey moved to table the motion 10 re-
err; carried,
Mr.. Spears moved to table the amendnant