The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-11-04
COLLABORATING IN TENNEssEE

The outbreak against convict labor in
Tennessee, and the liberation of the con-
vlcts employed in mines, may possibly
have the effect of curing an abuse which
has been disgrace to the age. Iu most of
the Southern States, and in several of the
Northern, it has been the policy of the peo-
pie to avoid the expense of maintaining
pententlarieS by hiring out conyicts to work
outside of the prison walls. This policy
has enabled several States not only to save
the money which should have been spent in
maintaining penitentiarieS but actually to
make profit on the labor of the cOnvcts
OF course. such a system could only be car
RED ont by methods that are barbarous and
revolving. The convicts were only pre-
vented from running away by the closest
watch and the most cruel punishments
Nothing that IS practiced in Siberia is more
shocking than the tales which occasionally
reach the public ear regarding the treat
ment of c0nvcts in some of the old slave
States. The prisoners were ill-fed, lodged
in unhealthy jails. kept at work by ferocious
beating They were so treated that when
the term of their sentences was reached
they were more like wild beasts than men,
From time to time humane citizens pro-
tested against the system. In 1854 Governor
ONeal of Alabama thus expressed himself
to his Legislature:
The penitentiery was intended for penal and
reiOrmatory prison. The welfare OF the convict
was considered In connection with the protection
OF society by his punishment. 1t took the place
of the galows and whipping post for many Of
lenses But It's humane purpose has been ne
elected COnvlcis, left to the unreSlrained con-
troll OF lessees and contractors were overworked'
insui1icenty fed, badly clothed. and beaten
},
numbers. In one year the death rate was 800
in the thousand
The result of this and other similar ap-
Deals by State Governors and penologlsts
was the passage of acts which, without re-
pealing the lessee system, amelorated the
condition of the convicts. Such acts were
passed in Alabama. Kentucky, North Caro-
lima, Georgia and other States. The people
could not reconcile it to their views to aban-
don the lessee system altogether, but they
were willing to mitigate its evils. Much
good was done by Mr.. Altman of Chicago,
WHO undertook a crusade on behalf Of the
abused convicts. He had a difficult task
lie was roundly denounced for his inter
ference in matters which did not concern
him; the prison authorities of Arkansas, in
reply to letter OF inquiry from him regard
Jig the number Of cOnvlcts leased out, po-
litely replied that ut was none OF his -
business" Still he managed to rOuse-a public
sentiment which has somewhat mended
matters.
The wrong has now eliminated in an ex-
plosion in Tennessee. At the time the last
report was made there were in that State
1868 convicts, of whom only 3l4 were in the
prison proper, all the others being leased
out. Most of them were put to work in the
mines, whore they could be more easily
guarded than on railroad extensions. The
free miners have always objected to their
employment. regarding them as competit tors
who stood in the way of an advance in
wages, and the residents Of the mining re-
gions who have had opportunities of OBJ
serving the treatment they endured have
sympathized with the miners. Nearly a
week ago the latter took the matter into
their own hands. overpowered the guards,
liberated the convicts and supplied them
with citizens clothes, so that they could
elude pursuit. At latest dates very few OF
the 100 leased convictS in Tennessee were
in duress
Of course 1t is sad to think of so large a
number OF thieves, burglars, murdererS and
law-breakers generally being set at large In
peaceful community. AS they have no
money they will rob in order to live. and the
people of the State Will lead troubled lives.
But the curing of a wrong generally in
wolves sacrifices. Tennesseeans are GER
tainly TO be pitied, bnt they should have
thought of the danger when they refused to
tax themselves for the support of their con-
victs in places where they could do no mis-
chief. 1t was piece of economy which
may cost dear before they are through
with if