Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1915-07-22
CONVICT
LABOR
!, Strong Possibility of That
' Being Used on Ma
riOn'S Roads
No Settlement of Dixie
Highway Route Made
ii Tuesday
Both Matters Are Refer
red to Pike Commis-
sion
Proposition For Route Is
Made by Jackson
Co., Ala.

The meeting Tuesday at Jasper a
call of Judge Allison was attended by
about 100 citizens of the county.
Whitwell was pretty strongly repre-
sented with leading business men,
and several from South Pittsburg al
well
The meeting was called to order al
11:15, anu A. l.. Robertson vas elect.
ed chairman, and 0. U. Dykes, secre'
tary.
Mr.. Allison as called upon at once
for talk He said few counties had
the difficulties Of two mountains to
cross that Marion had, Cumberland
mountain and Walden's Ridge, and
that the Dixie Highway must be built
in one year. He said that there was
discussion about building the High
way with convicts The law would
allow no less than 30 convicts to be
hired at time. and at price of not
less than one dollar per day. That
the matter was in hands of Board OF
Control at Nashville. Was of opinion
that working Of convicts to make mon
ey from them was wrong, but that
they should be employed IN building
roads. He referred to how convicts
were for the sake of their labor, leas-
al TO private individuals at Nashville,
ard to mines. He said he bad been to
Nashville and interviewed the COVER
nor. who expressed himself heartily in
favor of the movement, and that j 7
Raulston had bad correspondence with
the Board of Control regarding con-
yicts and their hire. He wanted ex-
rression OF opinion from the meeting
on the matter.
D. M, Tate asked if they furnished
euards, and Mr. league, of Looney's
Creek wanted to know if they furnish
ed machinery, to which in each case
he said he thought they could. a. L.
Robertson asked If for 81 90 per day
convirts and machines would be furn.
ished Mr. Allison said the act was
go elastic that be thought such would
be furnished That enough to cover
actuaI expense was all the state want
ed Referring to routing of Highway,
be said that it was matter to be set
fled nv himself and Col. Shook.
7 r Raulston, of South Pittsburg,
made a rsport regarding his CORES
nondence with the Governor and
Roara of Control That the state
would use the most modern road work.
ing machinery. Did not know what
kind of contract tne State would want
TO make, except that sufficient to Gov
ar depreciation of machinery would be
wanted, That State would like to
contract for the roads. or part OF
them, Wanted report from engin-
ears. and would submit their proposi
tion in 40 days. That be bad made
investigation. not to make contracts,
but simply for information. Said
tbat he knew there would be opposi
t;on. but that all the roads would not
he built by convict labor. That he
Vas for convict labor if it would be
to the county, and that
ayan then there would still be plenty
of work for bone labor He favored a
contract with the state
Mr. Allison, continuing, said that
.onnict labor would less tnan anything
!; ',;,re free labor il worked on roads.
Hs said that matter of feeding con-
lots and other expenses would leave
money in county. 90 wb;.o,
Z nrossed himself as heartily in favor
% making contract for convict labor
I'll ri tbare was not enough free labor
~ n whole lot to do the work lequir-
y oy Tbat most of the people are EN-
e9A row He wanted fri class
men 81. VI psrlston s9 replied that only able.
,,oS;a5 nfn could ba employee on such +
nrs THAT TIE State eEam'1i its T
convict bsfere saaains s.tus tusI. -.' 5ol
snr6 work. Ha ad Ga t1ag u'a-
N"- .t.4s t5sau NflIt III
tiou ge fARt t n,r
the lahs 81 I'm. ,E.
lj,-.7 r1 X .'.|o3