New-York tribune., 1841-11-15
RRCE ORE CENT

sons, demand the disconul uance OF mechanical
trades.
There dors exist a right to control the labor OF
individuals But that right is in the whole body
polite And the cases in which it arises and MAJ
be exercised are the subject of specific provision.
The commission of crime-or in other words, the
violation of the rights of others-confers the pow
er It's exercise Is high duty; one not TO be IN
dertaken hastily, nor from passion, nor the IN
reasonable demands of masses swayng large elect
i've powers.
1t is vet, however, certain, that in yielding the
natural right Of selfprotecton to society, be
ercised by it for the equal and common good of all,
individuals have nor thereby surrendered the Just
claim watch they have to be protected on equal
terms with others, in the exercise of these func-
tons which all are considered as retaining; for
this is, in fact, part of the right of self prstec
ton itself. Hence, the mechanis have, to this
extent, the right to ask that felon labor shall be so
regulated as not to bring unequal competition
against them But this, be it Observed, is reguIa
| ton, not abolition.
1t follows then, necessarily, that the mechanics
as such, have no right to demand the suppression
of mechanical trades in tho Prisons.
How, to the question OF favor? This, of
course waves the question of right. In consider
lag the application on this ground, we have TO in
qure is it expedent to grant ii! If so, in whole,
or in part On the part Of the applicants, these
things are urged as grievances: that by the pre-
sent contract system, runous competition is
brought against them; the labor of the felons be.
ing hired GU, at merely nominal rates, compared
with Tie compensation which the honest artizan
must recei,c TO enable him to live-the feon,
meanwhile, being supported by the State. Again,
that felons are taught trades in Prison. whicA, if
wrought at on their discharge, bring them into ne
ccssary contact with the innocent workman; thus
suhiecting the latter to the moral contamination
which all convicis charably supposed to i'm
part-ln my last number, in the Tribune of Oct.
20, ! noticed the first plea, and admitted its
weight As to the second: it is not inevitable
result in all cases. Muititrdes of mechanics per-
form their work at their own abodcs; sometimes
for their own account, when they need have no as
sociation with others of their trade; and somo
times for large employers, when their necessary
association is only with the employer Besides,
the former may advance the same plea if the
vict is taught any branch OF agriculture; and so OF
Nil conceivable occupations about which he may be
employed. Garry it out to its legitimate conse-
quenccs, and all society may rise up and say, we
will not have this man assocatng freely with
whomsoever he pcases; our children are exposed
to his vicious tench;ags and example; any, in whom
we have an interest, may be tempted by him 10
crime. Vol, let then find remedy for such
dire evils; we will either Danish the criminal alto
gether fros1 the land or condemn him TO perpet-
ua confinement; or we Will erect guillotine, to
be worked night AID day, by five hundred horse
power steam engine, for the decaptaion OF all
VINO trespass the rights of others, from the
thoughtles: boy who pliers Jews harp, UP To
the magnificent villain who robs BY the thousands,
and murders to conceal 1t.
Oace more this plea carries with 1t, TO a Ger
n,oFr,t no fnrf
discharged convicts seek their livelihood by honest
employment is, so far, evidence of determiaa-
ton to amend their former habits OF life; it is an
indication OF repentance that should be encouraged,
not crush d.
There is the plea, stripped Of its fine trapPings
make We all the most of it.
To all which, fancy the editor replying, this
being benevolent at other folks expense is not so
popular now Us it has been, though by no means
cut Of fashion" And IS which l answer, as Mrs
Glass said about cooking turbo, " first catch your
! tish"-frst show that other folk" pay the eX-
pense.
Ga the part of society at large, some things too
are to be considered. AS banshm ntis not pen
atty under our criminal code, and it has been hu-
namely thought that punishment should be sradua-
ted according to the offence most criminals are
again restored To the general associations OF socle-
w. Then we must regulate the employment OF the
felon with reference this contingency, lie must
be morally trained, all events; he must be tram
ed, too, To some practical, useful employment, Ii
he has not already been. In selecting for him,
full scope should be given for the choice all
trades, ali professions, all occupations, should be
considered And the decision should be made un-
der the influence offs enlarged judgement as well
as philanthropy. The reader who may have kind
" followed me thus far, Will see what the con-
~; in oct
ing employment for conyicts, by reference to my
first number, in the Tribune OF sept. 2o'-lhe'
much on the question oil favor.
At the Military Hall meeting we heard this dis
tinctv, both in speeches and resolutions. have
not noticed the publication OF the proceedings II
ever given 10 the public il will be seen that this is
the Shirt that brsathcs through them. All have
TO say here is this it is utter violation OF all
moral law. 1t is not doing to others according to
the golden rule. 1t is striking u final and ettoctuai
blow upon tie rive,s of the criminals letters. II
is destructive to the attempts which the humane
among us are making 10 produce reform, while the
law DEGREES punishment. 1t shuts from the unt9r-
tnna;c criminal who ha: never been directed by
the guiding hand of affection and sympathy to a
course of honest employment ms last hope OF an
education so virtue and industry; and without THIS
he but returns 10 society with the scorpion lash OF
necessity lorandished him. driving him TO
crime Ye that hope 10 succeed in such ends, By
such means, answer TO your own consclences-"i!i
your gain, IN dollars asd GEMS, compensate you
for tae ruin you may thus entsil on others Men
they are. like yourselves; each class Of you, with
natures alike iepraved and-pardon me, but this
very spirit proves you of the same lineage:
T. Y. X.
Nrw-JyssEr RAILROADS AND CAxAIs.-The
Camden and Amboy Railroad Company has ad-
dresscd a circular 10 the Legislature OF New,Jer-
sew on the subject Of their difculte'' ms Com-
many IS OBLIGED TO pay iRto the treasury OF inc