The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-03-21
TENNESSEE PRISON CAMPS.

TENNESSEE PRISON CAMPS.
Senator Moody of the prison committee
OF the Tennessee legislature submitted to
the senate minority report of their inves-
LEGATIONS of the convict camps in which he
calls the senate's attention to the horrible
and disgraceful condition of those places.
He shows that every law of God and man
is disregarded, and the convicts are not only
outrageously treated by the lessees, but are
permitted to indulge in the most revolving
depravities. The Senator closes his report
with the following appeal in the behalf of
the best interests of his state and fallen
humanity:
think, Mr.. Speaker. when the state. by her
supreme authority. lays the iron hand OF the law
upon one of her erriug children and administers
the Christening rod Of punishm ent and correction
BY all means 1t should be done in a way that will
not ruin and destroy the child and crush out the
manhood Of the man. and then turn him out upon
society after short term Of confinement, IL NAV
be for small offence. missnthrope, wreck in
health and morals and totally united for citizen
ship.
Far better expstriate and Danish him to dis.
tant island Of the sea.
Some attention ought to be paid to the reforma.
ton OF the man while he is being punished; who,
when his term expires. is again to become q citi-
zen and live among US, and the law as it is now
intends that there should be and all good and we'll
administered governments will see that 1t is DONE
understand fully and appreciate the fact that
they are criminals and have no patience with or
To mQ ko ofpo IL bat
are human beings and have flesh and blood.
make this minority report. Mr.. Speaker in no
spirit Of criticism. and make it reluctantly be-.
cause it is against my nature to crticise.
had so much rather say pleasant than unpleas-
ant things and had much rather praise than
condemn. I have no personal feeling in it, not
the remotest desire to and would not Intentionally
unjustly or unnecessarily censure anybody, but
without my seeking place has been assigned me
On this committee, and as will have to meet
these unfortunate and friendless men at the last
great day of final courts, felt compelled to say
this much in order to do my duty and discharge
my own conscience.
1 may be mistaken Mr.. Speaker, do not claim
to be infallible any better than other men. but
these are my sincere and honest impressions ard
convictions. and If had held my peace the pale
ana DASRdrO faces ana emaclateQ 1OrmS OF some
Of those prisoners would have haunted me to my
grave and risen up at the judgment to condemn
me.
Permit me to say in conclusion, as 1t impresses
me from the observations made and information
obtained, unless the plans upon which these
branch prisons are managed can be improved upon
and better and humane policy adopted, this
great state Of Tennessee, this land Of Bibles and
churches whose glittering spires point toward
the stars from every city and village and neighbor
hood and proclaim to the world that believe
in Christ and Christianity and trust in the God of
fathers this land of cheerful resides, of hal
lowed family alters and happy Christian homes
where Christ is honored and Christianity indorsed
this land of the free and home of the brave, this
great state of Tennessee, rich in all that is good
and grand. in all that is great, cannot afford to
perpetuate the lease system.