The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-23
is IT 4 PROPER PLACE?
THE ROCHELLE AN INSTITUTION OF
DOUBTFUL WISDOM. AT LEAST
A Place Of Punishment Where No Re-
gard for Fitness of Associates Ia
Taken into Account-All Persons
Equal Before the Law.

petty crimes and misdemcanors to this
city, unless he or she has funds to pay the
fine il arrested. Memphis has always pro-
vided adequate punishment for those
guilty OF these olfenses. The old Presi-
dents island work-house, with its out
RACES and horrors, its blots upon civiliza-
lion and refinement, has not been forgot
ten. When this was abolished. the chain
gang and rock pile took its place, and WIS
to large extent satisfactory departure.
Particularly is this true OF the chain gang,
on which able bodied men only serve. A
great deal Of excellent and timely work
has been done by them on streets and
elsewhere in the city, at an average cost of
only about lS cents per day.
But the rock-pile raises serious doubt
in the public mind IN 10 propriety. IL is
generally known that this is the place Ia
which women and children, unable TO pay
fines imposed upon them by the city. are
consigned. The institution is located in
the old station-house on Adams street,
corner Of tho alley between Main and Sec
ond streets. IL extends TO the alley in
rear, and il incloscd by brick walls about
twenty feet high. From the rear wall is
built cells. formerly used 10 incarccrate
persons arrested by the police. but at pres
cnt rs sleeping apartments for chain-gang
and rock-pile prisoners. Az matter OF
course, the furniture ana bedding is not OF
the kind ornamcnting apartments in the
palaces OF princes and nabobs, neither il il
expected 10 be, but IL can hardly be said
that Il Is what II should be for the purpose.
In winter there is nothing to heat them.
and In summer the inmates swclter almost
10 suiiocation.
The employment Of those confined there
is, IA the term implies, breaking rock. For
this work, the comfort of heat is amply
provided for. The prison is divided into
two large apartments for the two extreme
seasons. That for winter is inclosed. and
contains n single stove, in which fire IL
kept burning continually during the severe
cold weather. The prisoners are supplied
with rock, their duty being to break Il into
pieces small enough 10 use in filling ruts
and bad places generally in the streets. A
iaudable and valuable provision by the
authorities, truly. The implement used in
this process Is a two pound scdgc ham
Iner, with short handle, 10 be welded with
ono hand, but no restriction exists limit.
ing the power. The prisoners seat them.
solves ON a great pile OF broken rock. Sc
curo unbroken pieces and hammer away
on them from morning till night A sort
oil fiimsy cushion IA given them on which
TO cit and protect their clothing and flesh.
The doubtful wisdom Of this employ
ment for delinquent women aud children
prisonens, hinges upon many reasons.
They could he gwen something more In
harmony with instincts created in favor of
tho weaker members Of the human family
by civilization and refinement, and some
hing equally rcmuncrative for the city,
which supplies them food during impris-
onment. The rock.pile was quickly Great
cd In an emergency, without consideration
oi other plans. The occupation is violent
manual labor.
The only articles supplied prisoners are
food aud drink. II they remain there
several months and he not fortunate
enough to have changes Of clothing. they
mako dangerous approach ~ . condition
ii nudity. An ArrEAL reporter made n
tour 81 inspection through the place day
d Two since. Seated ON pinnacle of u
hugr pile Of rocks. her limbs stretched TO
their utmost down is sides, WIS n negro
woman. The upper portion Of her body
vs ~ scantily clad ~ 90 hardly deserve
tho name Of protection FROM view. This
made no difference with her NJ dcprycd
and hardened was she, but other prisoner,
come aud 20 daily, and unless all can be-
placed In the same category "a she,
frcm a moral standpoint the effect and
moral are shocking.
Az n n,iormatory for the youngand those
not already stepped In vice, the rOck-pilc
IL not n success by large majority. lm-
zginc u Young boy, who has giincd the
local reputation Of being n rather hard lit
dc sinner, but In reality has good heart
And numerous smoldcring excellent traits
al character, being consigned 10 this hot
bed al vice because unable 10 pay fine
imposed for some trivial mislCncanorl
And thcne have been many such cascs. II
ho docs not come forth iit companion
foe The worst character that inlcsis metro
politan cities, then he deserves moro than
. leather medal. Rciormatofy, indcedl
In nitc cases out Of every ten the reverse
b accomplished And the women who
are sent there. When Tnm ArrEAL ~.
porter visited the place there were seven
p<toncrs doing service, four women and
ihroc boys. Two Of the latter woro little
frllows, the other n negro boy some cigh.
teen ycars Of agc. Three Of the females
vcu negro women, the other white one,
Ms Harvey, who abandoned her brutal
husband and four innocent little childon,
taking mp her abode in one 81 the lowest
dives Of sin In the city. Her term was six
months, or until $50 fine was worked
eat nj % cents per day. When the
committing magistrate doomed heI
10 this punishment he confcsscdly strained
spoint % do 10. Shocked by her unwoin.
nnly conduct and inhuman treatment oil
her offspring he rackcd the statutes In
vain Tor an enactment or decision reaching
her case. II could only he mcicd 10 hcI
through the city ordinances, and then In q
doubtful sense. That some punishment
vss deserved by the woman, sympathy foi
NE little waits and abhorcncu Of the mon
srous motives which threw them upon thc
verge 81 starvation or death by freezing
vii asscrt In forcible terms. But such rs
a<iatcr and surroundings are doubtful
methods 10 reach the case. 10 say The least
Wicked ~ the woman was, sho was moi
beyond the touch Of humiliation and grief
Tho sympathetic keeper hal notyct placed
tho hammer In her hands and sct her u
uc<k, but allowed her time for acquaint
.scc with the situation. Asked a. 90 hil
s>,entons, he sadly remarked: eyes.
tsw no discretion In the matter. Those