Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-14


The feeling in the South against the con-
Wet leasing system is growing stronger
each year. There is nothing refo:matofy
in the system, and those Of the conVicts
! who succeed In serving out their terms OF
sentence are not prepared 20 earn an
honest living, and are not given a chance
to earn it even if they were disposed TO do
so.
The Texas Democratic State Conyen-
ton on Thursday adopted resolutions
which demand that convicts In that state
shall be kept within the penitentiary
walls. 1t is probable that public senti-
ment in every other Southern State Is
against leasing out the convicts, and IL
EXPRESSION of opinion could be had there
is no doubt that two-thirds of the people
would vote against the brutal leasing
system.
But the question which presents itself
is not whether the leasing system IS bad
one or not. 1t is admitted that 1t is bad,
/ The question is how can the cOuvcts be
provided for within the prison walls, or
wholly under the charge OF State officials,
without imposing too heavy burden on
the people. No one pretends to answer
this question, although it is the very ques-
| tion that must he answered in order to
get rid OF the leasing system. AS soon
! as a better system within the means OF
the people is suggested the leasing sys-
! TEN will he abandoned.
At the meeting OF the Georgia State Agri-
cultural Society at Cartersyile this week
! a resolution was adopted which looks
towards the establishment Of two expert
mental farms to be worked by juvenile
! convicts. This is good resolution, aud
should receive the careful consideration
| of the next legislature. 1t is wrong to
cOntine juvenile convicts, whose crimes
! are of the minor grade, with hardened
| thieves and murderers. 1t is the duty of
the State TO try to reform criminals under
its control. 1t certainly ought not to pre-
pare them for greater crimes. Expert
mental farms worked by Juvenile con-
victs could, perhaps, after year or two
be made to sustain themselves If properly
managed. The juvenile cOnvicts, trained
upon these farms, and cared for in way
to strengthen their morals and form
habits of industry, would, in most in
stances, become good citizens after
serving out their sentences.
There was another suggestion relative
to convicts in a letter published in the
MORNING NEWS few days ago. 1t was
that the cOnvicts be employed on the pub
lie roads at the expense OF the counties in
which the roads improved are located. 1t
is a lamentable fact that little or nothing
is now done TO keep the roads in good con-
dition, Considerable money is spent upon
them, but it isn't spent to good advan-
tage. Good roads increase the value OF
the adjacent farms. Make the roads of a
county first class and the value OF the
property of the county will advance fully
10 per cent. Why should not the coun-
ties have the benefit arising from the
work Of convicts rather than syndicate
of capitalists?
1t is true that if convicts were employ
ed on the public roads the demand that
they shall be kept within prison walls
could not be complied with, but some OF
the brutalities Ofthe leasing system would
be got rid of. The State would see TO it
that the conyicts were treated humanely.
aud attempts even at reformation might
be made.
The action Of the State Democratic Con.
yentOn of Texas and of the Agricultural
Society of this State indicates that public
sentiment against tho leasing system is
growing stronger. The time may not be
distant when 1t will be strong enough tc
| cause it TO be abandoned.