The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1895-06-07
GOV. FURNEY,s MEssAaH

confronted the legislature of this State
for many years is the convict question.
In 1865 the Republican party, then in
power in the State, inaugurated the
lease system. When the Democratic
party was restored it continued the sys-
tenn. No less than seven lease acts
were passed in the twenty-seven years.
A change in public opinion and the sys-
TEN was denounced. Both parties pro
nounced against it in their platforms of
is99l
The legislature of 1893 passed an act
to build new prison of 1900 cells, and
provided that only one convict should
be confined in each cell. A classified
ton of convicts according TO sex, age,
color and viciousness was req Iired. and
this should be by all meaFs. 1t pro-
vided for the purchase of coal and farms
lands, which has been done.
/ call attention to the various pro-
visions of the act, that we may see and
fully comprehend the reasons moving
the legislature to its passage. Among
the several reasons, prominent one is
to forever abolish tho convict lease
system in this State" after the expira-
ton of the present lease.
All parties are committed to this pur
pose, and it must not be lost sight of in
the legislation to follow. and, while we
may not be able to abolish the lease
system at the time fixed by the act of
1898, we can limit it to a short period
and restrict it in form and substance.
AS it is absolutely certain in the short
time left (about seven months) to the
termination of the lease, it will be i'm
possible for the State to take care of the
convicts lnow about 1900 and increas-
ing) in way creditable to itself and
just to them, the question is, what is to
be done?
/ recommend that stockades at the
coal mines be provided for and the
mines be opened as fast as possible,
that as many convicts may be engaged
there as can be advantageously; that a
prison, with modern plans and improve
ments to the extent at least of the
S35, 900 remaining of the penitentiary
fund be built on the farm; that the
outer wall be built at once, with temper
airy accommodations within for convicts.
The act of 1898 provides that convicts
might be employed in building if salts
factory arrangements could be made
with lessee. In the compromise of the
matters in suit between the State and
the lessees, it was understood that such
arrangements could and would be made.
If this was done, and | recommend it,
the lessees can build the wall and it's
contract price be credit on the debts
due The State from the lessees and thus
alorg been understood by ell parties.
While it is desirable that leasing
should end, and while it is determined
purpose of all that it must end, yet we
are compelled to submit to it, modified
as best it can be and limited to the
shortest possible period of existence.
Therefore / recommend if it shall APP
pear to the commissioners to be abso-
lutely necessary, that there be a tenn
porary leasing of surplus convicts not to
extend beyond the closing of the next
general assembly which meets in
January, 1897, the leasing to be open to
all and on the best terms that can be
obtained. Employ the weaker and less
healthy on the farm in the production
of such crops as will sustain the con-
victs.
l recommend that no money be ex-
pended on the old prison, or at least no
more than is necessary to keep it in fit
condition for temporary use until we
can better provide for convicts. The
old prison is beyond such improvement,
and as repairs are necessary to make it
healthy and comfortable, money ex-
pended upon it is a waste. 1t is in the
midst of the Capital City and should be
1t is certain large and improved
new prison must be had sooner or later;
demands it, and what is done
now should be with that END in view.
The old prison and grounds should be
sold as soon as the times will justify
and the proceeds applied to new one.
At present we are, it seems to me, COM
PEELED to build at least the best prison
the means on hand will permit. Any
thing short of this may defeat the pur-
pose to abolish leasing. Whether the
lease can be had remains to
been seen. Therefore, there should be
legislation and an appropriation of such
moneys as will enable the State to care
for its prisoners.
Tho legislation should be two-fold.
First, to provide for all prisoners; sec
ond, in the event of a leasing of the
surplus to provide for those left in the
hands of the State, and erecting tenn
porary quarters within the outer walls
at the new prison.
Keep in view that there is no pur-
pose to return to lease policy, but the
is to prepare the readiest and
best means to abolish it at the earliest
time possible. The question is one of
State economy and public policy, and
not of party politics. and 1 hope and be-
lieve you will give it that serious in
vestigation and thought it deserves
The prosperity of the commonwealth
depends largely on your action in this
matter. The weight of your response
bility cannot be overestimated. Let
your course be directed by the prin-
ciples of care for the morality and of
to coRvicts, with safeguards
for the young and less obdurate against
the practices and examples of the
vicious and hardened.
The objects are we'll defined in the
act of 1923, and 1 again call attention
20 them. If we fail to reform, we NAV