The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-20
MIssIss1pprs PnNITENrlARY.
Capt. Hardy is Glad to Surrender I'll

| Nupt. hdruy 10 6ldu TO surrender the
Lease-His Experience as Lessee.
From the Meridian News.
The Ae,cs having seen dispatches in the
New Orleans, Chattanooga and other OF
its exchanges, about the cancellation OF the
penitentiary lease, and desiring TO lay be-
fore its readers the real facts concerning
the same, a reporter interviewed Capt.
Hardy, the president OF the Gull & Ship
Island Railroad, and had free talk with
him upon the subject, and by request he
has furnished the following statement for
publication:
"As you know, prior to January, 1887,
the convicts were hired out on farms, rail-
roads, levees, or wherever the lessees
could hire them, but they were worked
mainly on farms. There was great dis
satisfaction in the State at working them
on farms and competing with honest, free
labor in the agricultural pursuits, and one
OF the perplexing questions OF the day was,
What shall be done with the convicts?'
"ln this state OF the public mind, |
suggested by a short publication in lead
ing paper in the State that they be put on
the Gulf & Ship Island Railroad and other
public works or works OF internal improve
ments.
''This suggestion met with much favor
and eliminated in the passage of the act
creating board Of control and leasing the
penitentiary to the Gulf & Ship Island
Railroad for term OF five years from jan
uary /, 1887.
81 believed the building Of the Gulf
d Ship Island Railroad to be the grand
est enterprise in the South, and especially
for our state, MS il would open the splendid
harbor at Gulfport 10 the commerce OF the
world. thought the convcts could be
used in its construction and be well
treated and worked properly, and the
spirit and purpose OF the law fully and
iairly carried out and thus cure the evils
OF the convict system complained of, and
at the same time be the means OF giving
the State n seaport of her own, and thus
establish commercial independence, and
place her on the high road TO great pros
perity.
"fhese were the beliefs and motives
which actuated me in the beginning.
"Our company took possession on the
LIST OF January, 1887. | had not long TO
wait to find that | had made a mistake in
supposing that | could work these con-
! vlcts on the railroad and fulfill TO the let CT
all the purposes had in view by the laws
under which they weresentenccd.
II thought, however. that some OF the
! defects in the system could be remedied
by legislation, and | pointed them out and
urged them on the Legislature, but little
| attention was paid to the suggestion.
81 then went before the committees OF
the Legislature and asked them to take
the penitentiary OF my hands. / went
even further and urged il, but 10 no effect.
as a bill introduced for that purpose wss
defeated. then proposed 10 the Board
| OF Control 10 exercise their power and
take IL back. This the Board declined 10
do, saying very properly that rs long rs
my company kept its contract IL could not
cancel the lease; but that for any violation
of the contract Il could cancel the lease
! and resume control.
go there was but one OF three courses to
pursue:
81. To continue 10 work them with oil
the disadvantages and odium attaching
10 any and everyone who NAV, rs lessee,
have anything TO do with them, or
"2. Turn the whole concern over nolens
volens and stand suit on the bond; or
y. Violate the contract OF lease and
thus force a cancellation OF Il.
I'm this condition Of affairs | met the
Board OF Control on Monday, the 81 OF
December, and the lease, bv agreement
was cancelled without damages, the G.. &
s. j. Railroad Company, agreeing to pay
the SUN OF $3.50 due by Il on the Superin-
tendents salary aud travelling expenses Of
the Board Of Control. and SO, 900 in bonds
due for this years lease.
"Of course the Board Of Control assigned
a number OF breaches OF the contract TO
justify it, action m cancellng the lease.
some OF them we admit; others we deny
We deny all charges cilecling the treatment
Of the convicts except as hcreinaitcrsiated.
But We do not desire to make any issue
with the Board Of Control. believe they
wish TO execute the law faithfully rs hon
est public servants.
THAT there have been abuses ofthe con.
vicis under the lease OF the q. 4 :. |. Il.
| H. I do not deny this aud no man in the
state felt the modification more than did
81 used every means In my power 10
prevent II, but they would occasionally
occur IN spite Of all the precaution 10 pre-
vent them, and they will continue TO occur
under the management OF the Board OF
Control. These abuses are perpeiratcd by
employees usually IN the heat OF pas sion.
! sometimes from incompclency or lack OF
/ judgment, but ! know the convicts have
been well aud abundlntly fed, comfortably
clad, moderately worked, aud prompt aud
efficient medical attention given when
sick. These facts can be- established by
abundant proofs Of the best men in the
country along the line OF the road
"But wcarc nd OF them aud I rejoice nj
| IL. No consideration could ever induce
me 20 undertake thc care and management
Of them agnin-ihurc is no profit In them
II properly treated, at the rate Of 5000
year rental.
81 do not believe the Board Of Control
can manage Il properly and pay anything
! IN the treasury OF the state, and do not
believe the State ought TO expect or desire
any revenue from the labor OF liz con.
| yicts."
The foregoing statement IL published
with pleasure, because the h,uw believes
! Il 10 be- true. Where Capt Hardy Is
known no man will doubt IT, Every man
who knows him, knows he Is n kind
hearted, humane gentleman, incapable 81
mis,rcating brute even, much loss q
human being.
aaasaazaa
"BiG CHIEFs SKIN"
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