New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-18
SLAVE CONNECTS OF ALABAMA.
NEED OF ABOLIsHTNG THE HORRORS OF THE
LEASING SYSTEM

NEED OF ABOLIsHING THE HORRORS OF THE
LEASING SYSTEM
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir. As the approaching campaign advances, the
interest in all vital public issues increases. The
first TO attract attention in this State is the money
question you aware. State reform overshad-
ows this most important question. and to call your
attention and the public's attention to the
rupt part of the State Government OF Alabama Is
my purpose refer 20 the prison system the
system of leasing prisoners to corporations. As
understand the fundamental laws Of our country. a
corporation is but an individual. endowed with func-
tons rendering 1t perpetual. and cannot make any
contract that the laws OF the States OF the United
States will not sustain between individual citizens
and State OF the United States cannot make con-
tract with corporation. foreign or domestic that
does not strictly conform 10 the laws OF the United
States; and It is a well-settled rule OF law that
where anything Is prohibited, suberfuge can De
resorted to to avoid the prohbitive enactments
Now then. by the Emancipation Proclamation,
slavery was abolished and prohibited within the
boundaries of the United States forever. And are
these prisoners slaves? Have they not been
sold for price? Is lease a virtual sale
whether II be for year for life? And is not
the State transferring to these corporations that
which it does not and cannot possess, namely.
the bodies of citizens OF the United States? For
there Is such thing a citizen OF the State.
take the broad ground that this leasing OF
prisoners. State and county. is in direct conflict
with the Constitution OF the United States. and Is
the most damnable OF all corrupt methods prac-
tised In this State. the motives controiling
which. to describe and give you the inside Of fully
would trespass too much upon your valuable time
and space. To tell to the people OF the United
States the plain unvarished truth as TO the places
whore these poor unfortunstes and ens.ayed
wretches confined, and the manner in which
they are worked and punished. after having been
railroaded through so,caled courts OF justice Tor
the benefit OF the foreign corporation, and to work
out fees for corrupt officers Of law, would cause
every one who reads 70 raise his hands heaven
ward in horror.
| say who Is thoroughly familiar with
this matter that there exists in the State OF Ala
bama today a prison system that in barbarity and
cruelty Russia, with her much wrtten-of Siberia
does not approach in horror and injustice. Is
this not matter worthy the attention OF the people
OF the Nation. a people who every ready to
strike for the oppressed and to right the wrongs
of the downtrodden? God grant they may pause
and listen and with my feeble ability will ever
raise my voice and pen TO help wipe from the face
OF the earth these spots OF indescribable shame
which are arrayed against the morality Of the CIV
zation OF the world. kept alive by the corrupt use
OF money when daily Is seen the overworked
poorly fed and tortured prisoner kept in his misery
by the slave driver. who applies the lash without
mercy and without warrant OF law. REX.
Birmingham, Ala. Aug. s. 1895.