New-York tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1841-1842, 1841-06-28
7 He T RIBU N E
NEw-YoRK, MONDAY, JUNE aS, la4l.
STATE PRISON LABOR.
To tie Editor cfMe Tribune

You consider the system present existing IN this State
. hry detrimental and dcnoralzing to the mechanic class
n the community because the occupations pursued
he be convcts in the prison those BY which honest
cbanics obtain their livelihood and that after the expiration
Of their of imprisonment they sent forth TO take
their stand beside the Of a>d compete with them
for employment
The supposed objects of punishment are TO deter Others
from violation Of the laws and to reform the cuprt
TIE object of punishment Is not IN civilized countries 10
indulge feelings OF revenge.
So Tar rs the criminal hinsefis concerned If the result Of
his shent determination reform his life and by
dong his duty society he alone ;hc rmness OF
such determination then the punishment has produced the
proper fleet.
Of what advantage then can il be to the unfortunate who
has satisfied the demands Of the aw by incarceration to
solve 10 abandon his o: and if he Is be
turned loose upon the world and without the faults OF his
earlier years corrected, without having learned though
ae life, that honest occupation would he would have
learned in his Younger ds under parents, udcous
wander an outeast withou, the knowledge skill honestly
to obtain support With such prospect before linn what
ducclent has ne reformation None the rules society
force him into crime.
Eth comes out reformed his example and intercourse with
the community inure them and happiness AID pros
,r,y if unjust preudices do intercept their smiles may
smile before him STILL Would he have right pursue
any lawful occupation he might choose Would hc not de-
SERVE comncndaon for his cndeayors avoid being bur-
den community? The answer must be in the lirma
tive
The wretch whose punishment has tailed to touch hs
hear-whusc habits of dlencss and vice have become por
tor his existence revcr be serious competitor with
the honest mechanic. His tastes and feelings will lead him
in another path than that of industry Whilst
prison the corycts are compelled do their duty the
community aad honestly support themselves they do there
what homes, and Industrious they would do voluntarily in
the wed large, and what they would have been doing II
honest during the whole time OF imprisonment.
What then, is the injury mechanics and of which
they with SO much indignation complain 1t is competition
it that man who has his life been unortu-
fall under the penalty OF the law should after
wards dare by honest employment TO gain his means OF
support.
You NAV take as an the OF the Moorc
who vas examined witness before the County Court in
April 1910. That young near as can recolect
had been dupcd and led early age TO cosm felony
Ia company with more experienced rogucS Tie was
delivered up as the scapc-goat and confined in State Pr
After leaving the prison he cndeavotcd 10 work at the
tade he had acquired He had resolved TO be honest but
aas il, vain He hunted from TO town and from
door 20 door Did he take w his abode here today-to
morrow the bood.hounds his heels, and frightened
and SICK II heart he compelled 20 ~ for safety At
last the necessary result of this arrived Hated by
marknd he their enemy and talents that would
have adorned lofty station and manners ia would under
fortunate have drawn round him body
sad Of ardent friends were prosttucd and degraded to
The lowest schemes of vi!lainy.
This needs no further
State Prison Labor is not slone in fault You look
ing found the cause ofhc aady hesitate not AT the knife
OF the actual cauery
The plan would propose to remedy the .aishiP OF
mechanics that be prohibited by lw from taking
my apprentices, and that the iourneymcn may unanimously
resolve twice month 10 be dccratci by lot for the good OF
6ev fellows, until they reduced small number
hat those who remain shall be satisfied
This plan might be collateral assisted By Society ;or
e Emancipation of Vice and ignorance and Promotion OF
Laiaess. Yours, respectfully
MARCUS ASroNIUs Bows
Co,nrRcr OF LAKE ERgx-The Buffalo Commercial Adj
vtcr the 22 chronicles the arrival at that port during
aeias; wen,y-Sour hours from the West Of the folewns
asces: Il SOY bbs flour p 6G7 bshl-. wheat 435,50O
s'e' go 900 feet lumber O07 bbs pork, 2s9 tons iron,
10 bis ashes 202 casks hams 6S kegs lard ai9 do butter
o. bbi beans do eggs 73 b,h< aG69 brooms t3
hides "a bb Gin do brandy 49, do whiskey, $50 bshls
oats tbls. wx II rolls leather 10 sacks wool 20 DO
feathers, II hhds tobacco
NfW SPECIES or CorroN.-We notice by the oouu'-
Western papers that rev article of culture has recently
been introduced the United States, called the Ch'noSc
sS COsn For 6ncncss and beauty OF texture and length
OF staple, says the Memphis Enquirer. It withou, eNceP
Ton the superior article have seen The lat.
De Rock Times that requires but three months ior
1T to eoinc maturity
PRoDuc1loS AND MoskY-The value of the annual agri-
cultural product of the United States fairly estimated IS
'eres hnareG aiUions of dollars The whole amount of
Saa debts IS about five hundred millions Of dollars and the
whole OF paper money circulation, about hun
Died Millions
u Among the persons arrested by tie London Police last
is 30 lawyers 70 medical men, 60 musicians, IL
pn'ers and 500 printers. The craft kept up their end
rr respectfully. They seem be No on the list Of
'seogndccs Credtable, is ntii