The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1890-01-25

youngest of our institutions of learn
ing. its unique and practical line of
work has already brought great credit
upou those who originated aud mould
ed it. For many years our State.
though pridiug herself upon her chlv-
slrous care of the property rights of
her women, neglected the education of
her girls. While her bounty was gen.
erously extended to the colleges de-
signed for her boys, she strangely
withheld like provision for her girls.
These girls, for the most part, were
far more dependent upon education
than their brothers to enter the world
as bread-winners. Tardy justice in the
creation of our girls industrial college
has opened a way to Mississippis
daughters for learning to earn a liveli-
hood in many ways out of the reach
of those unfavored by fortune. The
institution is receiving the warmest
commendstions from all parts of the
State, and is greatly appreciated by
our people.
l need not make special mention of
our Agricultural and Mechanical Col
lege nor our State University. Their
success has long since been provided
for and assured, and in like manner
our eommon-school system, in which
we take just pride. In providing for the
support of these institutions, however,
care must be taken that all things shall
be conducted on plane Of economy
consistent with the means of the State.
But their interests should be so guard
cd that their usefulness and efficiency
shall not be impaired by parsimonious
allowances Aud so with regard to
our charitable institutions. They are
indispensable to those unfortunate cit
zens for whose benefit they are pro-
vided, and they must be maintained I;
not extravagently, but at whatever
cost may be necessary for the COM
Portable care of those helpless inmates
whose mlsfortunes appeal SO strongly
to the humanity of the State. These
suffering wards of the people have
claims upon us which l am confident
you will not deny them.
THE PENTrENTIARy.
The position Of the penitentiary is a
problem which you are called upon to
solve. II has been to your predeces-
sors, source of great perplexity, and
their statecraft has failed to formulate
any satisfactory plan for such DISPOSE
tion of the criminals as will support
the penitentiary and insure humane
treatment TO the convicts. We may
safely assume that the State will
make every effort to avoid a return to
the odious system of leasing the peni-
tentiary and convicts which has OBJ
tanned for SO many years. Whatever
may be said in its defense, the system,
as illustrated, was obnoxious to civili-
zation, and hateful to the people oi
Mississippi.
The character Of large majority Of
the convicis dismal as the thought is
precludes us from the hope of beneii
cial results from such moral aud In
tellectual training as the Stste would
be able to give them. SO few of them
are intellectually fitted for skilled
laborers that they cannot be made
available within the walls Of the prison
My present judgment is that they cal
be successfully and humanely employ
ed on levees and other works of lik,
nature, or they may be available OF
plantations, but in either case th,
work should be done under the care
ard immediate supervision of Stat,
authority. A sufficient number o
State farms properly located, and un
der judicious management might leat
to a satisfactory solution of this trou
blesome question; and yet | doub
the wisdom Of change so radical, a
once. Perhaps it would be wise tt
commence on small scale and exten,
the venture as success may seem 4
warrant. Otherwise a partial failur
in results might cause discouragemen
and lead. to an abandonment Of the ex
pertinent before it had been fairly test
cd. 1t 1t shall be deemed advisable t
continue the penitentiary under th
supervision of the Board of Contro
care should be taken that no conflic
of authority shall arise. Every sur
erfluous appendage should be curtailet
and every useless expense eliminated
NATIONAL AFFAIRS.
Our national political situation is b
no means pleasing to us. Every depart
ment of the general government
now in the bands of party who's
expressions are inimical to our inter
ests, aud whose leaders are continua
| ly menacing us with unfriendly legil
lation. This condition of things furr
ishes food for the most serious refle'
ton. But have been glad to not
recent evidences that the masses {
Northern people are not altogethe
in sympathy with their Radical lead
ers In Congress; and | hope that th
measures already prepared for set
tional purposes ofoppression may "
fail to become the law of the land 70
: lack of approving public opinion.
trust that returning sense of justit
will prevent any such action.
CONCLUSION.
Gentlemen We are now about
' enter upon the labors and duties a
signed us by our constituents. Ia
! us approach them with that calm dell
Grafton which their Importance d
,, mands. Let us insist upon the stricte
economy possible in the wise admin
tration of the affairs Of the State.
Fellow Citizens: With grateful q
acknowledgements for the generous col
fidence you have again reposed in m
, conscious of my dependence upon ID
vine providence, and trusting that
may be guided and directed In all n
actions by the All-Wise Ruler of Il
Universe, | now declare myself read
r to the solemn oath which the law
Q quires.
The Court Needed Mercy.