The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-03-01

Ala, nv adyrrnomonw required by ne
iay f.eclion 10 mage As, acts Of $3.50 did
not contain the exact proposition Iof
bida which were hnally hffeeu
tpon IL the contract made W1s'
ia our Indictment, q good one for TIE siaie'
nnt c,0 attoutlon to the TACT that the pun
lie notice given, invited bids Tor tho PEN.
tentiaries aud conYicts within lpe vans
aud finding that no one would IN ke iea-
sonable bid under this proposltl9nl ,uu
hoard leased the pen tentiaries ana lhoso
,yithjn and without the walls, without adj
yertisement, notice or competition, as they
believed they had secured a good bargain
for the state. But by this lease the pro-
ceeds of 900 cOnyiCts, which were nv thls
time bringing the state net pioht OF 20
per month, or nearly SB5OJO per year were
transferred to the lessees; and ihey were
given the right by the leases TO hlre OUT
the first year an additional ~ nuinDo,
OF CTS, which would, at so per
month. give Il profit Of the iurther
sum of SlS,S $40, aggregating $ll5OOJ Tor the
first wear, less $40 600 paid back as rent by
the Iessees, and varying from year 10 year
IN seems TO us in the light OF events, when
have occurred since the board acted, that
SO wide variance in the terms ana prooa'
Bile profits, might and probably would nave
induced competitive bids, II advertised anu ~
resulted III ilote Pi0i''"0
the state. ru
one of the objects of the erection OF the
east Texas pententiary near RnsE, in Cher,
okee county, among the iron NUS, was 10
deyelop. by convict labor, the iron interests
of that locality and section. No compulsory
provision is incorporated in the lease con,
tracts, compelling this policy TO DC carried
out.
Under either the lease contracts or UNI
| \. Ia, 40 q officers
ployes are to supervise and guard the
conyicts so in this respect the treatment
of the conyicts would not be different. >,
We think that If the ro'icy OF placing all
conyicts within the walls, whether they are
self supporting or not, that fifteen years Is
too long term to contract that the largest
proportion may remain outside the walls
We recognize the lessees as being worthy,
reliable gentlemen, financially and other
wise, and OF humane disposition; and a7
having a reputation for honorable daport,
ment in business. IL is not on account OIL
the persons who have obtained the lease,
but on account Of the provisions ana
policy Of the contract that we 90 not APP
prove.
We recapitulate We oppose the APP
proval OF the lease contracts for the loiloW-
ing reasons:
/ We think the state can resume control
and coniine as many COnyicts within the
walls rs the lessees are required to c1nilne,
and cause the outside labor TO earn about
81 335, 200 within fifteen years. g.,
9 We think the state can resume ana
confine about 600 conviCts within the walls
Qong term mem and save, above the profits dnS
of the lease-COntracts about 9Z,ZJo'VoV
within the fifteen years
3. We think if the state can save these
sums, it ought to do so; and it can be
wisely appropriated to schools, public roads
or reduction of taxation, or other pubic
use and the contamination Of such result
is more desirable than than to expend 1t IN
paying it to induce the confinement OF
limited number of convicts within the
walls, who are not self-supportlng, WINE the
greater portion are worked outside Oh the
prisons.
4. We think the state can better manage
its conyicts, alter its policies, regulate the
character of labor and industries OF the
if it remains unembarrassed by
rights and interests of lessecs.,
5. We think if we ratify the lease, we
commit the stats to the policy OF the
ease for fifteen iyS years. n;roy lSE T hat
my future Legislature might revoke a
ease for any cause, the law OF 1881 seems TO
,onfine the right of approval or rel sctlon 10
he first legislature Except for violation oil
he terms OF the contraeD.
6. lift is to be the policy OF the slate 10
convict labor from any klnd OF
Employment at which free lahore receive
remuneration, that class which cannot
upport themselves can be placed upon the |
rst-ciass public roads and bridges Of the
tate as a charge upon the counties for their
ctual expenses only and this would relieve
0 a great extent, the free labo7ing classes
,on heavy tax and burden, ana establish
good system of roads. .,
I. we are opposed to the approval OF tho
cases. for the other reasons more July scs
,ut in the foregoing statements.
" JYo. You've GoocH,
.JNo. Ii. TEAYLoR,