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Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 463, 5 June 1890, Page 2

An American correspondent writes:—Tha pleasant fate of Jake Kilrain, tbe pugilist, brings into public attention a curious set of laws which are in vogue in the South, Wast, and South-West, but are entirely forgotten fn New York. Io the present case, KUraln Is sentenced to two months' Imprisonment. Hi* friend “ Charley” Rich buys him from th* Mississippi State authorities for the term, and takes him off a* hla property. During the two months Kilrain is as much of a star* as if he had been a “ contraband " before the war; but he is iu good hands, end will be well treated. The use of criminals m slaves is very common in many parts of ths South. It is no unusual sight to see a chain gang la Georgia cleaning the street*, digging eewers, or building railroads. Usually they leave the gaol in tha early morning, half ironed, and accompanied by several keeper* armed to th* teeth. They work until noon, when they are allowed time to lunoh and r*«t Thon they resume labour, and keep on until 0 o'clock, when they are returned to gaol. Tbe keeper bae almost complete authority over them; it they refuse to work he is privileged to beat them; and if 'hey attempt to etcape ho can ■hoot them the moment they make a breaks The law ie so rigorous iu thl* regard, and the keepers are usually such excellent ahote, that escape*—or even attempt* to escape—ar* very rare The wage* and prices paid tor th**e criminals are very low—26c. to 7So.'e day at tbe meet. In the css* of Kilrain it is probehl* that ths authorities saw th* value nt prisoner, and charged $4 to S 3 a day lor Whatever th* price obtained, th* pugilist wSr bring more money Io th* *ouaty *h*t« be i( impriionM Ulan bay llv* ordinary uitaiMlti