The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-02-25

law section 70, page -, acts OF ISL did
not contain the exact proposition Tor
bids which were finally egFeed
upon, II the contract made was
In our Judgment, a good one for the state.
But cal attention 10 the fact that the pub.
lie notice given, invited bids for the peni-
tentiaries and cOnyicts within the walls
and finding that no one would mike a Tea-
souable bid under this proposition, the
board leased the pen ientiaries and those
within and without the walls, without adj
yertisemeut, notice or competition, as they
believed they bad secured good bargain
Tor the state. But by this lease the pro-
ceeds OF 90 eonvicts. which were at this
time bringing the state net profit OF So
per month, or nearly $3.50 per year, were
Transferred 10 the lessees; and they were
given the right by the leases TO hire out
the first year an additional number
oi bls, which would, at 81 per
month, give profit of the further
sum OF SIS SIG, aggregatiug Sll3,OOJ for the
first year, less so u00 paid back as rent by
the lessees aud varying from year to year.
II seems 10 us in the light OF events, which
have occurred since the board acted, that
so wide variance In the terms and prOba-
BILE profits, might and probably would have
induced competitive bids, II advertised and
resulted IN a more profitable contract for
the state.
One Of the objects of the erection of the
east Texas penitentisry near tusk, In Cher.
okee county, among the ron hills, was TO
develop, by convict labor, the iron interests
Of that locality aud section. No compulsory
provision IS Incorporated In the lease con
tracts, compelling this policy to be- carried
ont.
Under either the lease contracts or un.
der resumption, the state officers and eu-
pIoyes are TO supervise. aud guard the
oonyicts so in this respect the treatment
OF the conyicts would not be different
We think that IT the policy OF placing all
convicts Within the walls, whether they are
sell supporting or not, that fifteen years is
too long term To contract that the largest
proportion may remain outside the walls
we recognize the lcssces rs being worthy
reliable gentlemen, financially and other
wise, and OF humane disposition. aud ~
having reputation for honorable dapOrt.
ment in business 1t is not on account of
the persons who have obtained the lease,
but on account of the provisions and
policy OF the contract that we do not APP
prove.
We recapitulate. We oppose the an.
proval OF the lease contracts for the follow
ing reasons.
We think the state can resume control
and contine as many conyiots within the
wall as the lessees are required TO c)ullnc,
ANA cause the outside labor TO earn about
81 $50. 200 within fifteen years,
=. We think the state can resume and
conline about 600 couyicts within The walls
long term mon and save, above the profits
OF the leaso-Contracts, about $4,000
within the fifteen years.
3. We think il the state can save these
sums, 1t ought 10 do so, aud 10 can be
WIgulV lnprlhTtatgl "a Nghltt'4 ,,U1,itt IA
or reduction OF taxation, or other public
use and the contamination Of such result
Is more desirable than than to cxpend it in
paying 1t to induce the confinement of
limited number of Convicts within the
walls who are not sell-supporting, while the
greaier portion are worked outside of the
prisons.
L. We think the state can better manage
MS conviots, alter its policies, regulate the
character Of labor aud industries of the
convlCts, If II remains unembarrassed by
rights aud interests of lesseCs,
o. We think II We ratify the lease, we
commit the state to the policy Of tho
lease for fifteen years. for while
the law prior TO 1881 provided that
any future legislature might revoke a
tease for any cause, the law OF 1881 seems to
contlne the right ofGpproval or rel ,ction to
the first legislature Except for violation of
the tarms of the contrnct).
g. Hit is to be the policy Of the state to
withdraw convict labor from any kind of
employment at which free labor can receive
remuneration, that class which cannot
support themselves can be placed upon the
hrst'class public roads and bridges Of the
state ms Il charge upon the counties for their
actual expenses only and this would relieve
TO great extent, the free labOring classes
FROM heavy tax ana burden, aud establish
good system Of roads
z. We are opposed To the approval OF the
leases, for the other reasons more fully set
out in the foregoing statements.
lNo IouNG GooCH,
w. lNo. II. TRtYLoR,
BARNETT GIBBs.
NJ. y. RANDOLPH.