The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-03
THE PENITENTIARY.


THE PENITENTIARY
The penitentiary lease bill OF Mr.. Marshall
is, in view Of the minority reports OF the
joint committee upon the penitentiary
management aud the branch prisons, little
better than an insult TO the people OF the
State. No man intelligent enough to draw
bill can plead misunderstanding OF
these reports, or claim that he is not
acquainted with the fact OF the public sem
timent Of the State adverse to the existing
penitentiary system and the leasing OF
conyicts. The glaringly brutal abuses OF
the branch prison system were horrifying
revelation to the people, substantiating
all that had gone before in relation
to the subject. The possibility Of
their REPETITION cannot DO Tended off
or prevented by Mr.. Marshal's bill no
matter how exacting its provisions may be.
Cruelty, brutality and license are inherent
in the convict-lease system. This has been
proven not only by our own Legislative
Committee, but by special committees OF
the Legislatures OF Alabama, Arkansas
and Mississippi. Every attempt TO remedy
or prevent the abuses Of the barbarous
and disgraceful method Of making profit
for States out OF the labor OF their convicts
has failed, and the weak devisements OF
Mr.. Marshall will also fail. The provisions
OF his bill for the separation OF youthful
prisoners under eighteen years and the
providing OF a matron for female prisoners
are mere evasions of the responsibility OF
the State to establish reformatory for the
criminal youths OF the State and separate
prison for women under the sole direction
and management OF women. The whole
tenor and spirit Of the bill is in opposi-
ton to the humane and enlightened
character Of the people Of Ten
nessee and in no sense represents
their wishes. II is n bill IN defiance o.
the spirit OF the age and an outrage upon
all those humane instincts that are the
best expression OF our civilization. 1t is 3
bill TO perpetuate an infamous system ior
six years, and, In tie face OF public con-
domination, 10 make the State willing
partner in the profit from II. a system the
brutality Of which the minority of the Leg.
islatiye Committee were unsparing in de.
nouncing. For the Legislature 10 pass
such bill as this OF Mr.. Marshall's would
be 10 confess its incapacity or unwilling.
ness Adequately 10 deal with one OF the
most important questions before 1t, and to
admit that they can devise no way. out OF
or away from tho brutalities tina,
only few days ago startled the
people and brought shame upon OUT
Commonwealth. But there Is n way
out Of this horrible cesspool oI
harbarity and iniquity. Its M easy Tor the
State TO place the convicts under the con
troll OF road builders of its own appoint
ment M to release them 10 como in com.
petition with the honest miners Of tn,
State. And this Is what should be done
with them. Where there is a will there Il
a way. The Marshall bill should be voted
down or amended 30 Ms to provide for the
building Of three State prisons, one each
for Fast, Middle and West Tennessee, and
for the working Of prisoners on publ,
roads The barbmous lease system ough
10 be abolished. and tho convieis 30 en-
ployed as not 10 be brought In competi
ton with the honest labor Of the State