The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1901-10-05
THE STATE P~ENiTENTlARY.

llldt llult iD 0ldtt COllNlCuS SHOULD
ever be leased.
Since that time the convicts have
all been under the direct control of
the State, and have been worked at
agricultural labor exclusively for the
account of the STATE.
The convicts have been heretofore
worked at a great disadvantage, and
under ~unfavorable economic condi-
tions. They have been scattered
about the Delta on about eighteen
different places, and for that reason,
their labor could not be utilized to the
best advantage.
Before the purchase of the u, OoO
acre tract in the Delta, the peniten-
tiary lands owned by the State were
wholly inadequate. About two hun
dred in all can be worked ON the Ran
kin farm. Oakley and Belmont. leav-
ing about nine hundred to be worked
ON lands. leased by the State. at a
high rental.
Notwithstanding all of these disad-
vantageS. the convictS have made
money for the State. There has been
paid into the State treasury over
500, 900, since the adjustment of the
leasing system, as the net cash earn
ingS Of the cOnvictS. The only APP
preparation made by the State, since
the adoption of the new system, was
$50, 600. 90, made by the legislature in
1900, for the purchase Of New State
Farm in the Delta.
Besides this, a large part of the
earnings of the convicts has been used
by the Board of Control in stocking
and improving the penitentiary lands,
which have been greatly improved in
value.
The tract Of $1,000 acres in the
Delta is as fine land as there is in the
world, not excepting the famous allu
vial lands of the Nile valley. \ con.
siderable part Of this land has beer
cleared, and is planted this year ir
cotton.
When this land is cleared up, and
put in "A state of cultivation, and the
proper Improvements completed, the
State of Mississippi will have the
finest cotton plantation in the world
The land will also be adopted to the
production OF corn, oats, hay, grass
and peas, and every variety of vegeta
BILE. Many manufacturing industrie.
can be established also on the land
and every article needed by the con.
victs can he manufactured by them
that cannot be more cheaply pur
chased.
When these Industries are all com
pleted, and perfected, the penitentia
ny will be the source Of IA large reve
nue. to the State.
The cOnvicts are treated humanely
at present, but when they are PLACED
under II direct management, theil
treatment and discipline will be al
that could be desired.
Since the adjustment of convict
leasing, and the adoption of the pres
ent system, those who originally OPP
posed this reform cannot fail to per
ceive what a great and radical chang,
for the better has been made in the
treatment of the convicts. No STATE
that abOliSheS convict leasing viii
ever return to that odious and debas
ing system.
Convict leasing was originally eS
tablishcd in this State by the Repub
lican party during Ames' administra
ton, and it is remarkable that it wa
tolerated for 50 long a time by GU
own people after they regained con
troll Of the public affairs of the State
The State is to be congratulated a
last upon the permanent and satisfac
tory solution Of the convict problem
The conyicts are worked at agricul
tural pursuits in which they do 10
come in competition with outside la
Dor, and for which they are peculiarl!
adapted.
Before these ~cOnvicts we're sent t.
the pcnitentiary, they were raisin,
cotton, and when they are discharged
they will continue TO work at agricul
tural pursuits or their own account
So there is no competition between
the conyicts and the honest labor 0
the citizens Of the State.
The Northern States maintain thei
State prisons at a great expense an
nually to the tax payers. Many 0
them have attempted manufacturin;
various articles Of merchandise, blu
have met with much opposition t
the Trades Union on the ground tina
the State was in competition with it
honest citizens.
The natural conditions in the cot
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