Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1890-04-09
MR.. DEPEW ON THE CONVICT
SYSTEM.

Mr.. Chauncey Depew is giving some of
his impressions derived from his recent
visits to places in the South. On the
whole his views are intelligent, and ON
the whole favorable. He has reached he
conclusion, which all judicous men must
come to, that the alleged friction between
the races is not to be smoothcd by con-
gressional methods, but must be left for
the people, controlled by conditions, by
interest, by sympathies and knowlcdg,
of negro character, to deal with, Com
ing from so pronounced and influential a
republican,, this conclusion might have
weight il the majority in congress were
not predetermined ON a less wise and
more exasperating policy. BY the ma
jority Of his party Mr.. Depew's libcrality
or wisdom will be ascribed to the cordi
ality of his reception and the generous
hospitality extended to him wherever he
went, and which he frankly acknowl-
edges.
There is only one topic upon which Mr.
Depew expresses himself that we propose
70 advert to-the Southern convict sys.
tenn, which he dcnounces in unmcasurcd
terms. And since the press OF Georgia
and South Carolina have unsparinglyex'
posed the horrors of the convict camps
in those States under the workings of the
lease system, Mr.. Dcpew can hardly b,
condemned for the conclusions he has
reached. But he includes the whole South
in His denunciation. He would, il he had
extended his Investigations into North
Carolina, have exempted this State from
his severe ccnsure. Here, beyond ques-
ton, Judgment is tempered with as much
mercy as is possible in the punishment oil
crime and while the penitcntiary, the con-
vict farms, the convict quarters are none
ot them desirable resorts for The free citizen
and the innocent, the supervision OF the
law SO interposes the shield OF its protec.
ton that needless cruelty OF hardship is
impossible. or il imposed, quickly checked
and redrcsscd.
Mr.. Depew speaks like n political bigot
when he refers to the methods by which
the pcnitentiarics are filed with the quo.
tas of subjects needed for contractors.
His statement is false, unjust and libel.
Gus. We have recently given striking
instance OF the absolute equality of the
negro with the white man in his pursuit
of Justice before the civil tribunals. 1t is
the same in relation To crime.
Sometimes contracts call for certain
number of convicts and the State fur.
nishes them. How? II they cant I'LL the
quota otherwise the most trivial Offences
are made an excuse for long terms oi I'M
prisonmcnt. have no doubt that many
Innocent men are servin', sent hsvs ~
Southern convict camps that IL. quota
might be filled"
This is what Mr.. Dcpcw says. II is
broad unrescrvcd charge, making CLOSE
alliance between the administration oi
the criminal law and the needs ui the
mercenary contractor, and makes til,
State q partner, for gain, with the mcrci'
less contractor VINO sees q field Tor still
farther gain by the enforced labor and
narrow sustcnance ot innocent victims
to unjust and unequal law. Mr.. Dcrcw
has gone farther than the most rabid
sectionalism would justify; Tor lie in.
pupns the motives and the conduct nj
the Southern courts oi justice, who, II
from no other motive than reputation
and interest. could not afford Ia chal.
lengc the Judgment and ccnsurc oi The
world. Punishmcnts are sometimes Ills.
proportioned to the gravity oi the oi.
fence: but such punishment is hNcd by
the law. and mctcd out with equal hand
to all colors aud races. But Mr.. pcpcw
discrcdits his own intelligence When h,
gravcly states rs his deliberate opinion
tha, innocent men are serving Out sell.
tences that the quotas Ia contractors
might be filled. lie knows that such
things would bc impossible, even II they
were proposed. The South is No, Rus
sia. as he suggests. The cry ol inro.
ccnce cannot be stiilcd, even il it were pos
siblc. which II is not, Tor innocent men
to pass from the court house branded
with guilt. A jury may err, rarely, in
its conclusions. II cannot do 50 To the
extent OF building up such system os Mr..
De,Tw expresses himself without doubt
rs having active existence. hut Mr.. DE.
pew's opinion will he law to the parti.
sans Of his section; and il is upon such
hasty and prciudiced judgment thnt :"
much of hostile feeling To the South is
created and pcrpetuated.