The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1881-12-01
NEWBERRY S. c.. THURSDAY DECEMBER l, 1884,

Columbia, has not proved marked
success. The plan of leasing the COO,
victs has also been tried. There have
been uudoubtcd evils connected with
it, most Of which experience has elim,
mated and this SYSTEM in my judy
ment is the best that offers itself. My
attention has been closely given to its
working, and MY conclusions upon the
subject have the strength of convlv-
tiou<. You will permit me briefly to
state ihem.
The convicts should put be leased
in small numbers to any Que contrac-
tor or for work that necessarily shifts
From locality to locality; and the
overscers and guards in charge Of them
should be appointed aud paid by the
PeniteDtiary authorities. These pro
visions, together with the frequent
Inspections now directed to be made,
aud the summary power OF recall now
vested in these authorities by law, will
make the leasing Of the conVicts liable
to but few objections.
When the work shifts from locality
to locality, barracks and stockades, in
which security, health. humanity and
discipline may be at once consulted,
are not, and from considerations of
economy, cannot be erected for the
temporary use which is alone required.
When the work is stationary, the
number of convicts sufficiently large
and the time of the lease long enough
to warrant it, there is no reason why
structures, to be approved by the
Board of Directors, should lot be
erected by the contractor, in which
the requirements of health, security
and humane discipline should be as
fully consulted as in the Penitentiary
itself.
The annual report of the Board Of
Directors and Superintendent Of this
institution to be submitted to you
makes a most gratifying financial ez-
hibit. The entire appropriation Of
the last session for the maintenance of
the PenitentiarY, for continuance Of
work on prison wall and for the pro-
lection against fire, $4,000 in all,
remains uudrawn in the State Treasu
rY, and is applicable 20 such other pur
poses as you shall direct. The insti-
tuition has for the first time in its
history from its earnings sustained
itself and made necessary permanent
improvements; is free from debt and
has to its credit cash balance to be
carried forward to next year This
amounts to the sun of $4,000, and
I am convinced can be auadrupled
each year if the institution continues
to be managed upon the business prin
ciples upon which it is now conducted
This cannot be done, however, unless
the Directors are permitted TO obtain
the market value of the convict labor,
and if they are hampered by special
legislation, donating any portion of
this labor to enterprises which, how
ever commendable, are more or less
local 10 their character. When such
enterprises are deemed of sufficient
general importance to warrant public
subsidy, let it be done directly, and go
nomlne, and the act stand upon its
merits. It seems to NE that such
profits as may be had from the labor
Of our criminal population should Ell
ther 60 into the treasury to Tighten
the burthen of the general taxes, or,
if it find special appropriation, that it
should supplement the fund for edu-
cation whose benefits enure to all aud
whose results decrease crime itself.
1t gives me pleasure to be able to
bear testimony to the efficient dis
charge of duty by the Superintendent
of the Penltentiary and his subordl-
uate officers.
THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.
The aggregate current expenses Of
the State last year for all purposes,
except interest, was 1854, ,739 and of
this slO7, ,l64 was expended upon the
Lunatic Asylum, being little more
than ope.third Of the whole amount.
The number of inmates during the
fiscal year was 400; and in the fact
that but tWenty-six of this number
we're supported by friends, and that
the remainder were charged to the
State as INDECENT poor, is found the
explanation of this heavy expenditure.
There cannot be on the part of any
one desire to limit the benefits Of
this noble charity; but it should be
limited to its purpose and remain a
charity. The pauper alone should re,
ceive the bounty of the State those
who are able to pay in whole or in
part for the benefits of the institution
should be required to do so; and its
proper share of usefulness should not
be limited by incuubering it with in'
mates not properly within the pu'-
view of its establishment. In this
connection | commend to your earnest
consideration the report Of the Super,
intendent of the Asylum. The rem
edy he suggests will undoubtedly cor
rect the evil. 1t is to return to the
mode prevailing before the war, and
to require each County to support
those whom its officials send as pau
pers to the institution This is en-
tirely consistent with the scheme OF
our poor laws. The County levles the
fund for the maintenance of its sane
paupers, and it is expended under
local supervision. 1t should also levy
tax and retain supervision Of the
fund applicable TO the support OF these