CONVICT LABOR.


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REPLYogJ JUDGE kAYEs TO 'ARTlzAN--No 2.


Another work of internal improvement,
which would give employment TO .he con>
vIcts Tor many years, 10 the construction of
levy from the mouth of the Yazoo to the
Tennessee line. near Memphis. A suffi>
cent levy to secure the country against the
oveIfiows OF the Mississippi would be of
lnestImable value TO the State. The loss
sustained BY the Planters in consequence
of the flood of 1914. was immense, and ev-
cry cont lost by individuals. is so much sub
tracted from the aggregate wealth of the
State. BY the completion of this work,
we would not only secure our present pop
ulation against similar caamities in future.
but reclaim large quantity Of the most
fertile land in the State. now unsusceptlble
of occupation. and thereby virtually add to
our territory. the land thus reclaimed


These rich lands would speedily be sought


out and settled by valuable citizens, and our


wealth and population thus increased. would


greatly add to our strenth and our revenue.


| have no means of estimating the extent of


territory which would be thus reclaimed


and brought into sctive demand Others


better informed may make estimates ap>


proachihg 'ae truth. But no doubt. the
quantity Is so great, as to render il an i'm


po1lant object of State policy.


AS the land thus reclaimed and rendered


valuable, yet belongs to the United States, il


IS oy no means improbable, that the Gener,
al Government would contribute In lands, to


the accomplishing of such an undertaking


LII not, IT is matter of so much Importance


TO the State, that we should accomplish il If
possible.


Five hundred thousand acres of land have
already been given by Congress to the


State. 10 be sold at rate not less than the


minimum price of the lands ofthe U. States.
l have been informed that much of the
land located by the State, Is of the very best


quality, and worth probably ten dollars per


acre. Blu. let it be supposed that its ave-


rage would be two dollars per acre. which


is a reasonably low estimate. II will pro-


duce a fund of one million of dollars. This


fund is 70 be applied to the construction of


roads. railways. bridges, canals, and im>
provement of water courses, and draining OF
swamps- The only burdens imposed by
the General Governments, for this liberal
| grant IS that the roads, railways. SC.
when made or improved by this fund. shall
/ be free for the transportation of the United
States mail. and munitions Of war, aud for
the passage of their troops, without the pay
ment Of toll.


Il is probable the making ofthis levy does
not come within the letter ofthe grant. But
does it not come vithin iss spirit? One Of
The purposes. ie the draining Of swamps- Il
matiers MOTTO the General Government,
whoIbor her lands are reclaimed and ren>
deTed marketable, by drawing the WIS.