The Savannah tribune. [volume] (Savannah [Ga.]) 1876-1960, 1886-12-04

1t places convict labor in many
instances in direct competition with
the honest labor OF the State.
These, briefly stated, are some oil
the objections urged against the
preseri system. 1t will be general
Iy admitted that they are Of no
grave u character that the State will
not be justified in continuing the
system, provided it can be changed
legally and without the violation OF
good faith; and provided Also that a
better system should be practicable.
After much reflection | venture
the opinion that another plan might
be- adopted legally by the State, and
its practicabiIity at least partially
tested at an early day without any
violation of good faith.
The Governor then states the
objections to the old system oil con-
finlng cOnvicts within walls to be
the expense of maintenance which
would be Burden upon the labor
aud property of the people two
heavy to be incurred" The propo-
sitiOn to use the cOnvicts in build.
ing or improving public roads III
the State does not meet with much
favor from him, both on account Of
the expense OF maintenance and the
inevitable contentious which would
ensue between different sectinne OF
the State IA to priority OF constrnc-
ton and the equitable distribution
of this labor supported as it would
DO by general taxation.
He then calls attention 10 his
plan which ia to fOAier our agricuIt-
nre by every legitimate means. He
suggests the establishment of
farm TO be worked upon by
the short term coLvicts ~
they could be received from the
Iesse4s through forfeiture. lie emu
merates the following among the
beneficial results that would follow
the plan:
II would confne the convicts thus
employed TO such labor as would
least compete with the honest labor
OF the State.
1t would place the State in direct
and full control Of Its prisoners.
1t wouM restore TO the State the
full power to enforce the exact
punishment imposed by the courts.
1t wonId place upon the State the
just responsibility for guarding the
health OF the convicts and would
confnc them to the most healthful
employments.
1t would enable the State to
separate them at all hines accord
ing 10 classes. conditions, sexes, and
Fitness tor different kinds OF Labor,
aud 10 institute methods for reform.
alton with greater promise OF
success.
The Governor then gives what he
believes after careful investigation
TO DO the great benefits that would
accrue to our agriculture which are:
The coat Of ~ bushel of grain or
bale of hay or Of cotton, measured
by days or hours Of labor, and pro
ducel by different methods of cult.
walton and lpanuring, could be def.
nitely determined and reported.
The relative expense and value Of
deep and shallow blowing in various
poila, at different seasons and for
different crops, should be reliably
Ascertained and made known TO the
farmers OF the State.
The comparative profits to be
realized in various localities, from
various crops, fruits and vegetables
couId soon be known and made
public.
The beat and most economical
fertilizers for different soils aud
crops and seasons, and the proper
times aud methods OF their spplica-
ton could be reliably determed.
But experimental farming should
not be resorted TO until the farm has
become self-sustaining.
The plans oil the Governor seem
TO be feasible and are credltable to
him in every sense, and we trust
that the Legislature will see the