Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1902-02-08
MISSISSIPPI MATTERS
NOTES OF PAST AND CURRENT EVENTS.
By KATE MARKHAM POWER.



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While we have neither time nor
space for a full discussion of the mat
ter of the 'penitentiary investigation
now in progress before a joint COM
mittee appointed by the House and
Senate to investigate the affairs Of the
penitentiary and its management, we
feel constrained to give it brief men
ton in these columns, despite the fact
that every newspaper reader in the
State is familiar with the matter
through the publication reports of the
daily sittings of the committee. More
than a little bitterness has already
Oeen engenderad by this matter and it
is spreading daily. Nor is this un-
| happy state of things confined to
those directly concerned-their friends
and kindred, employees ana acQuaint-
ances even, are taking sides, and it
bids fair to spread its baleful influence
to the utmost confines Of the State.
Just who is riRht and who is wrong
and how far along these paths the ac-
cused have Travelled no man is pre-
pared to say, and unless things hurry
up little 1t will be some time before
opinions can be formed with any de-
gree of accuracy. There is one thing
as sure as that the sun rises and sets
each day, and that is that the men
composing the committee mean to do
their duty, their whole duty and moth
ing but their duty regardless of in
jury to themselves or their political
futures. They are among the States
best men. Most of them are men Of
extraordinary ability, of deep learn
ing and Of wide experience; of incor-
ruptible integrity. 1t would be a rash
man who would dare to appeal to them
for anything save justice. Their po-
sition is exceedingly difficult the du-
ties are unpleasant, the labor onerous
and the responsibilities great. No
money could pay some of these gen
tlemen for the painful experience of
serving on this committee. And yet
they must do 1t, at their States be-
hest, and they must do it we'll. They |
have no desire TO prosecute or perse- |
cute any man. But from careful in |
yestigation last summer they are con.
WINGED that there is something rotten
in penmark" Cor the penitontiary), |
and they are determined to trace it to |
its source. No men in Mississippi re-
greet this state of things more than the |
gentlemen of the committee we feel
assured, because the honor of their
State is precious to them, and they |
would join in universal rejoicing to
lind things straight and clean, and |
ready for the light of day. in the Mis-.
sissippi State penitentiary. That the
entire blame for the present unsettled
state of affairs does not lie with the
present management alone we, in
common with many others, feel CON
tident Things have too long been run
in Mississippi as though we were all
one great big, happy careles family.
Such management, whether in big or
little families, usually brings dire re-
suits in its train. The writer believes
another cause Of confusion and COM
plant to lie in the fact that for so
many years so much of the prisons
clerical work was deputed to such
conyicts as were found competent to
assist in office work. Strict business
methods should be the rule in all State
institutions, 1t will save, in the end
much labor, possible loss to the State
and certain embarrassment to those in
at these various places man
aged by the State. The Senate and
House, fully recognizing the import
ance OF these investigations, deter.
mined last week to hold no more after.
noon sessions pending the investiga.
ton, so the public sittlngs of the com.
mittee are held each afternoon in the
Senate chamber and are heard by an
interested public. The sergeant,at
arms spent most Of last week in Jour
neying on highways and into byways
to serve subpenas on two or three
score of witnesses who are needed. by
one side or the other.