The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1913-08-27
CoNVICTS FOR THE ROADS.

Governor Blease on Wednes-
day afternoon gave out the fol-
lowing statement embodying his
view of the best disposition of
the hosiery mill convicts:
II have received an invitation
to meet the directors of the
state penitentiary, on Wednes
day, the 9th, of August, for the
purpose of discussing what to
do with the convicts that are in
the hosiery mill when it is abol-
ished.
Il do not consider it a very
serious or very grave question
nor.do consider it sne which
should give the authorities the
least bit Of trouble.
when I was a member of the
house of representatives, Feb
ruary II, 1859, I made the fol-
lowing remarks: I wish to be
put on record, relative to the
leasing of convicts for farm pur.
poses, in conflict with farmers
of the state. The system is
wrong. I vii simply make my
motion so as to 90 on record as
against the leasing of convicts
for farm purposes. [ have never
believed IN the State running a
farm in opposition to the tax.
paying farmers OF our state, and
l see no reason to change my
views.
II am in favor of discontinue
ing all work on the state farms,
except the reformatory in Lex
ington, where plenty of stuff
can be- raised to run such con-
victs as should be kept in the
penitentiary. Then, I am in
favor, of course Of closing the
hosiery mill, in fact I think l
remember having made some
little fight to have it closed.
Then I favor the placing of all
able-bodied convicts throughout
the entire State upon the public
roads. Let the judges sentence
the prisoners to the chaingang
where there are chaingangs.
Where there are none, let them
60 to the penitentiarv, and let
the penItentiary authorities lease
them to those counties who want
them, making the counties re-
sponsible for their humane treat.
ment and for any loss that the
State might sustain by escapes.
Of course, there are some dang
erous prisoners who will posi-
bly, have to be kept in the peni-
tentiary. They can easily be
handled and properly cared for.
I have never believed, nor do I
believe, in keeping the peniten-
tiary for a money-making insti-
tuition. I have never been one of
those who believe in making
money out Of the unfortunate
human beings. Therefore, I most
positively favor the placing of
convicts upon the public high
way.
"There is no question before
this country, unless it be Chris
tianity, that is ahead Of good
roads, and good roads will help
Christianity. If we have good
roads we will have better atten-
dance at the churches and at
the schools. If we have good
roads it will increase the value
of the farms. because they will
put then nearer to the towns
in the length of time. Ii we
have good roads it will bring the
farms closer to the towns and
cities. They will save the wear
and tear to the wagons, automo-
biles and other vehicles and
machinery. They will save the
strength and lives Of our mules
and horses. There is so much
that could be said for good roads
and has been said, that there is
no use to continue it here: but,
we can have better schools. bet
ter churches-better attendance
at both: better markets and bet
ter everything, if we had better
roads The convicts are not eX-