The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-08

tivcs to be examined I'D take out license
was reported iavombl by the committee
on railroads of the House II was opposed
by Pelham, OF jackson county, and de-
feated.
THE rENITENTIARY INVESTIGATION.
The committee appointed TO investigate
the present management OF the peniten-
tiary have prepared voluminous report,
OF which the following is synopsis. They
have examined witnesses reported to he
reliable and rejected doubtful ones. The
investigation has been impartial. They
have found a tendency to smooth over or
suppress facts ON one side and tendency
TO exaggeratc ON the other. Their con-
illusions are AZ follows;
|. The leasing system under any form
is wrong in principle. Where the power
Of the employer is absolute II is most GER
tain 10 be abused. The system of leasing
convict restores u system OF sorvitude
worse than slavery. Subleasing is doubly
Objectionable. Treatment under that
method is generally harsh, M shown 10y
the fearful mortality under the system.
Numerous cases of irostbte are reported,
which could hardly occur in the climate
without undue exposure. The treatment
of convicts in the camp Of j. III. MELON
aid, ON the Kansas City X Birmingham
railroad, was simply numerous Brutal
and often fatal injuries were inflicted on
the convicts. Ills lease was annulled in
June, 1887. The high death rate in this
camp is attributed TO cruelty, 9.0Sper cent.
representing the death rate of convicts in
his camp. The lcssees are not entirely re-
sponsiblc for this abnormal death rate. The
health of convicts in camps for the past
few mouths IL comparatively good.
2. Tho condition OF the convicts has
been improved since they were rcmanded
10 the immediate control Of the railroad
company and placed under the supervision
OF the board Of control. In the walls We
find no cause of complaint. The death rate
Ia very low. In camp the convicts are
well fed and fairly clothed, but their
quarters are of the rudcs, character, and
but little attention il paid 10 the cleanliness
Of the convicis or camps. Instances Ol
cruelty are not uncommon. Some do not
come to light, on account Of system OF
intimidation. One instance mentioned 10y
DIR. llowry is positively shocking. There
il no evidence that the lcssces are aware
Of these things. They forbid all cruelty
and unusual punishment, but they cannot
and should not he held blamclcss. They
could have informed themselves Of the
abuses existing bv taking ordinary dill.
gcncc, and arc clearly responsible ior
keeping brutal men IN their employ
Abuses are sometimes exaggerated. Pun
ishmcnt must bc inflicted 10 maintain dis
ciplinc, and Is occasionally necessarily ~
we've, and there ARE many vicious person.
among the convicis who require the stern
est repression.
D. Tho committee recommend the aban
donmcnt Of the leasing system a'
soon ~ practicable, but IL cannot bc don,
at present. Great improvement In th,
treatment OF convicls has been made IN
the last few months, owing 10 the super
vision exercised by the board Of control
aud the appointment OF officials charged
with the personal management Of the con
victs IN recommended.
4. The committee recommends whcr
the leasing system IN abandoned that sui
0cient land bo set apart and conyicts I'M
able Ia 40 hard work should be set +
work GUILTY.. ing the soil.
y The report recommends the establish
meni, In the walls, Of factories for cabinc
making, smelling, wagons, etc.
q. II recommends certain repairs OF
pcniteniiary building.
= II advises change Of the law as (,
what constitutes grand larceny and recon
mcnds the pardon oi those now scryin,
out terms Tor violation OF the pig law.
T. IL recommends the lcssoning Of tim,
for good conduct.
0. Il advocates lighter sentences fol
young violaicn Of the law.