The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-11
GOOD SUGGESTIONS.
How the Mississippi State Prison May
be Reformed.

neglected duty OF punishlng her own Grim
inals, and while Furnishing them taking q
care for their lives, morals, etc.
II Is unquestionablc that the lease ought
to be summarily abrogated, and for these
reasons:
]. Because II Is wrong in principle, IL be.
| ing the duty OF the State 10 punish and
protect her wards, and this can never be
done under the lease system.
2. Because the lease system puts cupid
| ity OF one set OF men against the human
ity OF other men and always leads 10
cruelty.
3. Because invariably the lease system
gathers about IL set OF interested men
who form n political ring, which corrupts
politics.
There Is now no need TO elaborate these
points. They have all been demonstrated
in the recent past in this State, as In other
States, and there is something like unan-
unity OF sentiment among the good people
Of the State on the matter.
No wise legislator will hesitate on tho
ground that the State IL not able TO take up
this duty. Mississippi is able TO discharge
a plain duty in the interest Of law, human
ity and her own peace, honor and purity.
The suggestions OF the board Of control and
OF President Hardy are valuable aids 10 the
solution Of the problem, which IL by no
means as difficult Of solution M many sup
pose. We submit that this question
should be considered az any other from
the standpoint Of duty and according TO
the dictates Of common sense.
One Of the plaincst duties Of the Lcgisla-
turc is 10 change what IL called the pig
law, 20 "a 10 relieve the pcnitcntiary OF u
flood Of criminals who are punished beyond
the grade Of their crime.
After this, rs matter OF common sense,
the State should provide for the proper
employment OF her conyicts. To do this IL,
OF course. 10 solve the problem. The pres.
ent pcniicntiary buildings were devised for
white criminals, and there are not many
Of them compared 20 tho great mass Of
conyicts now on hand. The existing pen
itcn,iary is entirely unsuited TO our pres.
ent needs, and should DO sold and new
one bought.
A pententiary ought never 10 be located
In city. Its influence Is bad on the city,
and the city's influence on IL il evil.
Then, In case Of an epidemic, Il becomes
dangerous ~ we'll as expensive.
Tho present property should bc sold and
part Of the money used IN the purchase
Of suitable tract OF land rightly located,
upon which a modern prison should be
built, attention being given 90 sanitation,
the separation Of iis prisoners with refer.
once 10 sex, age, grade Of crime, etc.
Every question OF health and morals
should bc considered before a brick Il laid.
And not only these, butrcicrcnco should
bc had 10 lines of work suited To the class
Of conyicts peculiar 10 Mississippi. Most
Of the labor IN ignorant aud unskillcd, and
must, therefore, have plain work. There
could he tanncry, a shoe and harness.
shop, n blacksmith shop, wagon factory
and cotton mandatory 10 manufacture
plain cloth, etc. Then, Of course, there
would he farm upon which any number
Of hands could bc employed.
To make ready ior the proper handling
ot our convicts as Aforesaid will cost some,
thing. aud Il Is that which tcrrorizes thC
ordinary legislator. We insist, iirst Of all,
that great State cannot hesitate in IA,
discharge Of NJ palpablc and urgent duty
on account OF cost. Government exist.
for the purpose Of protecting life and prop,
crty 10y upholding morals and Furnishing
crime. Tho State must not become i
criminal nor the patron OF crime ior money
20 make or 10 save H.
hut the difficulty Is easily overcome
| After paying for tho land, the remainder
of the money realized from the sale Of IN,
old buildings aud site can be- used 10 sup.
port convicts while they build the new
prison. This no one thinks would he sui
iicicnt, but II can bc easily supplemented.
We favor working 300 or 400 Of the ahlcsi
81 the conNicis ON public works, under
State supervision, pending tho complete
establishment Of the new pcnitcntlary.
And in arranging for this we would give
the Gulf q Ship Island mad the prlcr.
cncc, making Il 10 the decided advantage
Of that company 90 contract with the
State. This We would 10 10 help out A
worthy enterprise and In consideration OF
the free tender OF the conyicis TO the
State.
The earnings, say Of half the conyic,s
on public works would nbundnntly sun
port the other half employed ON the farn
aud the new buildings. Thus, In due
time would the State bc prepared to lis
charge It's trusts In way 10 meet all th,
demands upon a Christian and human,
people.
The suggestions Of President Hardy a,
10 rewards, chaplain. etc, arc worthy oI
his head and heart. Everything al,oui
the present system IL degrading 10 the
convicis, the guards, the lcssccs and the
State. The prisoners should not only hc
encouraged to observe the rules Of moral.
iiy and deccncy, but they should be- com.
PEELED TO do 40. No profanity or vulgar
language should be- tolerated about The
prison, either in convicts or employees.
Regular religious services should 6c had
and prisoners required TO appear in the
chapel neatly, though, Of c0ufsc. plainly
attircd. Coarse aud abusive behavior
toward prisoners should not be- tolerated.
Modern modes Of punishment should be
employed when necessary In short,
everything should be- done Ia make con.
victs better citizens, and not wonc.
A scheme something like this only needs
10 bc put In the hands Of sensible business
men TO be worked out In all liz "details.
la the hands Of impracticablc politicians,
or men who are unlrcndy 10 IL, inlmrc
viii follow Let men bo selected as A
boari OF control who are not mcrc LAWYERS
OF polucians, but practical business men.
AMI The mountains Of difficulties will melt
away, and Mississippi will lead The snr.
rounding States In Dfison rcfov,n "a a.. 4.