Slave Convicts.
--In a recent communication by the Auditor to the General Assembly he says, in reference to the above subject, that--‘ "Within twenty years, ending in 1859, covering a period in which crime was less abundant, and during which the value of a slave was not much if any more than half the ruling prices now existing, there was paid out of the public Treasury $331,463.00 for slaves executed or condemned for sale and transportation. The amount realized from sales was $150,736.96, showing a loss to the State, besides the expenses of conviction and confinement, of $180,726.94. The amount paid for those condemned for sale and transportation was $236,610.52, showing a difference between the amount paid and the amount realized from their sale of $80,073.52."
’ The same officer says that the law requiring the owner of a vicious slave to be paid his value when condemned for killing one of his fellows, (who may be free from crime, and perhaps more valuable,) is apparently unequal and unjust, and tends not only to increase the demoralization of slaves, but to weaken and destroy their prudent control by masters.
‘ "If the owner of a slave who commits a crime knew that he must compensate in value for certain crimes of his slaves, and be deprived of their value in case crimes were committed, it is manifest, from the very nature of the interest which any prudent man would exercise for the protection of his property, that there would be more careful discipline, and a greater restraint upon their associations with the evil-minded and vicious."
’ There is some good philosophy in this view of the case. In many of the States the owner is not allowed anything for his condemned slave, in others only half of the valuation of the Court, payable only in the event of the infliction of punishment.
