Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-02-02

mind to have to endure the Leglsla-
,ure till the first of May. We
heard one member say he was
in favor of taking a trip to New
Orleans and having some fun at
Tie States expense. We predict that
The Atlanta junketing trip will find
It's counterpart this spring. We
have not space to discuss theperSoanel
of the members. They are of all
ages, from the beardless youth to
the decrepid old man, and though
the body is characterized by intel
lectual mediocrity there are some
men of mark who will go to Congress
some of these days if they do their
duty as Legislators and have
the good sense to advocate measures
of economy and a short session
and were careful to be on the right
side of the penitentiary controversy.
THE ROW OVER SOUTH.
Two years ago the Legislature made
Barry South warden of the Penitenti-
airy at a salary of $1,000 a year.
South was formerly lessee and failed
and we understand the State lost
100000 or $4,000 by his failure. AT
ter few months the Commissioners
became convinced that South was
incompetent and removed him and
Deputy Warden Taylor was made
warden fourteen months ago. The
law requires that the Legislature
must, within 20 days after report is
made of action in such cases, confirm
the appointment of the Commission
ers, otherwise the incumbent re-
moved resumes control. For q
week the matter was considered by
both Houses and a great deal of tes-
timony was taken OH both sides. 1t
all ended by the assembly's refusing
to sanction the course of the Com
missioners and South is therefore re-
instated. The Senate voted affirma-
lively by 10 to IA but the House on
the last of the 20 days failed to vote
although South evidently had a ma
jority on his side. This of course
amounted to a failure to confirm
Now comes the result of it all. ThC
Commissioners haye asked to be re
lieved from further duty in the fol
lowing communication:
| TO the General Assembly Of h,
Commonwealth Of Kentucky-Gen
tlemen: The undersigned, as mat
ter of simple justice to themselves
would respectfully request that the
act, entitled "An act to provide fol
the government, management and
discipline of the Kentucky Penitenti'
ary," approved May 30, 1880, be SC
amended as to relieve them of any
further duty or responsibility as er
ohcio directors of that institution.
Very respectfully,
i, j. PRoCToR KNOTT,
j. A. MCKENZIE,
p. W. HARDIN,
FAYETTE HEWITT,
= JAMES w. TATE.
FRANKFORT, Jan. 20, 1886.
And while this communication wa
i being read in the House, the lesscei
were having the following resolution
, introduced in the Senate:
, WHEREAS, Messrs. Mason Il Foard
f lessees of the convict labor. have ex
= pressed a desire to be released from
f their contract for convict labor Il
work outside the penitentiary there
fore be it
Resolved by the General AsSembl!
e Of the Commonwealth Of Kentucky
t That the Commissioners of the Sink
t ing Fund be and they are hereby di
f rected to cancel and annul all con
e tracts with said Mason & Foard 70
y the leasing of convicts outside tn
o penitentiary.
/. This presents pretty kettle of fist
1t All hands turning loose, two wal
/ dens drawing pay, and things gel
IL ting into worse fix daily, all on &C
II count of the short-sighted action of
e lot of bull-headed members of til
j. Legislature, who, rather than sc
T. South deposed from an office h
N could not fill, were willing to let ii
Sc penitentiary go to the eternal bow
1t vows and bankrupt the poor Of
r State. If the Commissioners are I,
A. lieved and the lessees released Il
I'd loss to the State will be simply a
of palling. LILO convicts would
VS. crowded into TOO cells and the Sta
s would be out $500 day to mainta
lg them, whereas she now receives II
On profit of $S,333,25 annually from d
y lessees, who provide everything. Il
e- State does not own the beds I
of convicts sleep on nor the tools tn
an work with and everything would
re to provide and the treasury woi
o. than empty. A bonded indebtednt
IN of $4,000 and a deficit of $685.
'er and such a state Of affairs broug
Id about by the votes of members of
er. Legislature! How can these fello
-er 90 home and look an honest tax-ps
"a er in the face? We do not see hi
ms the Legislature can refuse to relic
is the Commissioners of further du
si- South, who is to be re-instated, d.
not speak to any Of them and thu
n .