The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-11
SIBERIA IN TENN ESSEE.
THE CONVICT LABOR THAT THE STA TIE
SELLS Nv THE MINES.

Sold by the state for 100000 n YEAR
Tbomas a. Piatt, . One-riNe Buyer
Mountaineers Say that II Must Cease.
There is Just now In progress In the I.sgisla-
turs OF Tennessee q curious contest. which
arises out Of the different conditions which
| prevail in the different sections OF the State.
and may yet lead to fierce and bloody
war. the method and outcome OF which can
only be half graspsd By even those most
familiar with the people. 1t 10 contest APP
parently between labor and capital. but really
between two different kinds OF labor.
A glance at the map OF Tennessee will sug.
gest that the eastern rart OF tho State Is set
tied by An entirely different kind OF people
from the inhabitants OF the western and mid
die sections. Such is in fact the case. In
Western and Middle Tennessee is found .
plain. simple and prosperous class OF farmers.
who support great manufactures and con.
tribute to the development OF large towns and
cities. There are fine farming lands. stretch
ing in levels or gentle slopes, and watered By
many rivers.
In Fast Tennessee which has but small
proportion OF the population OF the State
the country is mountainous There are
few farms. and these do not grow
enough food products to support the
Inhabitants. Tho reonle are like noun
tain folk ywhere--gravs. indolent. igno-
To Thorn freedom absolute liberty OF action.
with no interference from law, Is the first
principle They are Of an original American
stock and possess the American idea OF liberty
in its extreme. While the other people OF the
same class in the two other sections OF the
big State are farmers or factory employees.
they are miners whom they turn their hands to
any occupation.
Between East Tennessee and West and Mid
die Tennessee thero Is no sympathy and little
intercourse. Tho legislators from East Ten
nessee are in the insignificant minority and
have NO way OF impressinG the needs or wishes
OF East Tennessee upon the Government at
Nashville. And herein lies the secret OF tho
lingering argument in the Legislature re-
Gently. and the flat denial of the Legislature OF
the wishes OF the last Tennesseeans and OF
those state officers. the Governor included.
whom tho recent mining troubles have made
familiar with the true state OF affairs.
Tho present contest has been long prepar-
ing. and however blinded the farmers and
other local county Tennesseeans nay be. the
outcome OF It Is not doubtful. Tho contest be-
gan twenty years ago. when the first lease Of
convicts was signed. East Tennessee legisla-
tors have seen it coming. and at each coming
OF the lease question have tried TO settle it.
In the convict lease system Of Tennessee and
OF other southern States there is fine illus
tration OF that amable. II at times Irritating.
foibe OF human beings which leads them to
mind other peoples business TO the neglect OF
their own. Those gentle ladies and philan-
thropic men who were made SO hysterical by
the recounting OF the misfortunes OF far ST.
berian sxiles might have found plenty to move
their sympathies much nearer home.
1t has been the fortune Of the writer Of this
article to see in the city OF knoxville sights
soar cA1v craj thla n n cyfli1a al
which were quite rs horrible to the natives Of
Tennessee who saw them as to tho stranger.
And II the Legislature OF Tennessee could be
brought to see the same things the question
OF dollars would not count SO largely in ita de-
lberatons us now.
AS body the convicts OF Tennessee are
quite as low as the most barbarous African
tribes. They are largely negroes. convicted Of
crimes which do not occur to minds In the
least degree enlightened. But. under the laws
OF the State. many persons convicted OF trifing
offences. here punishable by a few days son.
tsnce to the workhouse are there put in
among these frightful specimens OF humanity.
TO lose all self-respect and all chance Of ever
| being decent again.
The lease system. which began to operate
sent .; the LsEisla,ure and tho Go,ern ey four
times since. the last time being two years ago.
sn sdd The hight upon it being rHry bitter The
a company. of which senator Thomas {. Tlatt
Of Sewhork was until year or two ago the
them in any part Of tho state. and at any law.
full labor. In return 1t guarantees to- guard
in.ir health. The eompany pays The guards.
whom it selects. but they are sworn In as State
In. Nashville there is a penitsntiary. once
used but now fallen into frightful decay.
The convicts have for twenty years worked in
profit Of unsktiled labor is there ereater the
II 60 cents day for each convicr.
-, Bnt h before, taking up the conflict between
said o. the Of these sS eonviets ' They are
herdsd about from place to place like Wild an;
moro do not attempt suicide But as Will be
seen. seoI es Of them do c uri death
AS the guards are from the lowest sort OF white
Easily es asness ns
% as inability to work un!e ms the wretch is
S aG pn and tn S eurs
possible; IT. not. lot him make way for some
Other srmia9a for b there is never ne
at pleasure. The company asks no questions.
and Would b. 70 act Q,
indianation should happen to be aroused. Tine
each guard having WncSsster a1 on nf bis
shoulder and a revolver strapped to his side.
The convicts are not chained or otherwise
guarded: They know too we'll, from frsauontly
cape s. In fact to llnks dash for liberty Is
simply way Of committing suicide. And the
desperate state OF the minds OF the convicts
may Gs got Al from the fact that conyicts do
dash; By: low ever a,, .scare; Tho rne rings
Then his striped and ragged legs begin to tot.
ter; and then lie sinks down. A mole Is dug,
speedily. ANY guard can tell You many tale.
Zach has its punishment Of strange incident.
and the chances are that he will bonst and
laugh = good deal
II the convict /, only winged there ia q
code Of ingen .ous pnnishmsnts which bagnll.
the tedium OF guard HE. There IL another
aud simiar cod" for those convicts who refuse
ness, or VINO do not do rs much work as the
guards size ND his muscle and sinsw to 10
capable Of.
It may be thought that the people Of Tounes.
see would have graSped the enormity OF this
more than siberian offence sgainst cIyilizaa:
must be remembered that few OF the
psoPs eyer ,os see y, thsss things and
means to touch that most, sensitive