The age-herald., 1897-08-11
TIE CONVICT QUESTION
The Mississippi and Texas Plan
 May Be Adopted.
GOVERNOR CONSIDERING IT
Convict Labor May Cease Being Employed From Working i5 the Jefferson
 County Mines,

GONefnOr JO0nSIOn ana the DOdfQ or convict inspectors have the Jefferson county convict leases under eonsidera- tien with the view of taking the convicts out of the mines and putting them to work on state farms This is the solu- ton of the convict question made by Texas and Mississippi. and Georgia Is now taking steps to provide farms for the same purpose.
 The question is of vast importance to Jefferson county, and business, profess sional and working men are generally in favor of removing the competition of prison labor from free labor in the coun- ty. There is only one class of people in Jefferson county who are in favor of maintaining the prison labor as it is now. This class is composed of the peo- pie who operate the mines.
 In Jefferson county there are at least 2.000 convicts employed at Pratt mines and CoaIburg. In the opinion of many people these prisoners, who n4ver add an iota to the moral or financial strength of the community, are supplanted by 1000 honest and independent miners, each representing a family of five, Jeff ferson county wild gain desirable popu- lation of 10000 people.
 Adhering to those figures, it is esti- mated that each of the 1000 miners will earn S2 a day at the lowest estimate. It would be safe to say that upwards of a million dollars would be turned into the local channels of trade.
 It is said that the last legislature would have abolished the convict lease system if there had not been a deficit in the state treasury. The matter was ex- amined by senate committe who re- turned favorable report, but the bill was defeated in the senate. The report exhibited revenue of $20000 or $30,00O annually to the state.
 Last year Mississippi convicts working the state farms and coming in cimpeti- tion with no free labor, neted the state $70,000 Texas farms, working convict labor, netted s1s0,0OO.
 A short time ago conference was held by Governor Johnston and Messrs. Cory and Simpson. all of whom are deeply in- terested in the subject, and it was de- cided to try the plan adopted by Texas and Mississippi.
 The convict leases are signed every year about the first of July, but as yet Governor Johnston has not renewed the lease with the Jefferson county mine op-
 
 orators.
 It is significant of the foregoing that at the conference held yesterday after noon bstween Governor Johnston, the board of convict inspectors and the mine operators of Jefferson county, no new leaS- was made for the contract eXpir- ing on the first day of January next. Governor Johnston also said that the matter of releasing the convicts Is now uner the consideration of the board The fact is, the convict board and the gov- ernor ara looking about for suitable farming lands whereby the convicts may be employed at a profit to the state with out competing with free labor in Jeffer- son county.
 In connection with the above ths fol- lowing special was received by the Age- Herald last night.
 Montgomery, Ala, Aug. 10, 1897.
 Gov. Johnston and the board of convict inspectors were in conference this even- ing relative to making new leases of the state conviciis with the mine operators of Jefferson county, whose present contract expires on the 1s,t of next January.
 AfteD the conference, the governor said to The Age-Herald correspondent:
 "We advertised for bids, but they have all been declined by the convict board. Up to this dale the board of convict in- spectors have refused all bids by the present lessees. There is no immediate prospect that dhe leases in Jefferson coun- ty will be renswed. That %ll depends upon he judgment of the board, whether the convicts cannot be employed else- where with better results to the state and the welfare of the community than working in the mines"
 The governor further stated that the board is taking full time to thoroughly and carefully consider the situation, wih the view of taking the convicts out of the Jefferson county mines.