The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1880-04-16

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TIM Legislature having come Co O.
dead lock on the peuiloutiary question
I hy reason OF the fact that the Senate
wants 60 hire cut the corvicis, and the
| House il Cor branch peniieutary.
Joint Committee has been appointed 90
dcvisc some means 20 effect compro.
mise. To our mind the Senate bill IS
much the wiscst, taking into consider.
alton the depletion of the Treasury
and the experience Of other States
which have pursued the hiring ont
plan. This gives immediate relief, the
Big Sandy II. 4. contractors are will.
ing and anxious TO take the convicis,
or, # they we're not, they could be EN-
ployei with great advantage on i'm
proving the Kentucky and other riv-
ers. Take the experience Of Virginia
in this matter, for instance. She
hires her surplus convicts on public
improvements at twenty-five cents a
day each, the contractor furnishing
board, transportation and clothing
(thc latter he is compelled to buy from
the State, and giving bond in the
sum Of 500 for each convict, to be
paid into the Treasury should one es-
cape. This plan has brought thou.
sands Of dollars TO the State, whereas
if the convicts hired out had have
been compelled to lie in the Peniten-
tiary, they would not have made more
than their board, even If they did
that. As a railroad contractor in
Virginia we have had a good deal of
experience in this matter, and have
found that the convicls prefer two to
one to be hired out, and are healthier
and better satisfied eyeryway. The
impurity of the air Of our Peniien-
tiary has been the occasion of great
deal of comment and probably great
deal of sickness. Under the Senate
plan the institution can be relieved at
once, the convicis can breathe the pure
mountain air, and Blackburns occu-
patton will be gone. We do hope that
the Legislature will come to some de.
cission on the matter, and it they
must build branch let them say so at
once. For heavens sake DO not give
the crazy fanatic, who controls the
pardoning power of the State. a fur
ther excuse to abuse that power, to
nullify the works Of the Courts. TO SET
at naught the laws of the land and
Gil our communities with red.handed
murderers and thieves. Something
must be done and done speedily.
The Richmond Herald says that
the calling of the Congressional Com
miitee to meet on the 9th is prema-
ture, as all Of the candidates may not
be out by that time. 1t has been Gus
tomary for a number OF years TO call
this meeting about the first of May, and
it was called for the time named this
year FOR a two.fold reason, that is be.
cause it is the proper time and to save
the members an extra trip, most Of
them having to meet as the Judicial
Committee on the same day. This
meeting is only to adopt a plan and
fix day for nominating Congress
sional candidate, and that day will
surely be fixed late enough for the
Of the aspirants. The &C.
ton Of the Committee will let the can
iidates know what they may depend
On, and certainly can not prevent any
body from entering the race.
The Anderson Neirs thanks some
iriend for the daily receipt Of Will
nington, Delaware, evening paper.
The friend is Mr. Bayard, who is
looding all the newspapers offices with
lis organ-but it is Of no use. He
lands no earthly show for the Presi.
sntial nomination, and we advise {
i'm to invest his money in a more
,rofitable undertaking.