The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1845-09-13

Mechanics Meeting in jackson.

Mechanics Meeting in jackson.
| An enthusiastic and large body of all trades
and professions, met at the Theatre on Friday
the 9th June, to give expression to their SEN
timents on the continued abuses of the Peni-
Tertiary system. Edwin Moody was called to
the chair, and w. B. Mower appointed secre-
tary. Mr.. Crary then moved for the appoint
ment of committee to DRAFT, resolutions for
the meeting. Mr.. McAdam, in name of said
committee, then laid the following preamble
and resolutions before the meeting, and ap-
Pealed strongly against the gross injustice OF
employing convicts in competition with home
mechanics, and called on the citizens of all
professions and political creeds, to throw party
aside, and aid in putting down so unwise and
pernicious a system:
WHEREAs-it is the object of all good govern
ment to leg islate alike for all classes and in
terests; and as republicans, we recognise no
claim superior to knowledge, industry and in
tegrity, under laws which promise equal pro-
lection to the rich mans acres and the poor
mans labor:-imperatively called on by this
rapidly increasing moral nuisance, to take de-
cided measures for its abate nent, it is only
just to ourselves and those who ask our suf-
irages, as il is necessary for the information of
many good citizens, who without reflection,
look on the penitentiary competition, as just
and commendable, to show that we want no
special privileges other than the free exercise
of our industry and skill that no iair compe-
titon can exist against felons without wages,
and State treasury to make up an annual
dead loss and that it cannot be defended as
principle of free trade by thinking men-being
calculated to crush praiseworthy competition
among worthy mechanics, or drive them from
our borders; having in fact all the evil tenden-
cies and drawbacks on the arts entailed on
France and other countries by ilI-advised char
tered monopolies. With an abiding faith in
the fair consideration Of our request, we have
strong claims on the planting interest-our
prosperity and increase is fully identified with
theirs; and though evidently 10 our immediate
advantage, great body of mechanics have in
variably opposed undue protection for their
products at the cost of their southern brethren,
ought we then to be cursed for our disinterest-
edness with domestic State monopoly, which
degrades honest labor and learns thieves and
murderers trades rorey honestly followed after
ward, and used only as passports to our domes-
tic hearths and confidence, as a ready means
Of expected spoliation and crime! The most
despohc countries Of Europe, among all their
Expressions, have nuvsr atsemPted shis- sesrso
of gratutous injustice to their mechanics; and
experience of its gross injustice has caused its
abandonment by nearly oil our sister States
We blame no officer Of the executive or the
penitentiary, for unfairly adding to our grew
nncos, knowing it to be their duty to make the
best out of losing concern, by any means or
any system of work. 1t is the system and it's
advocates we blame, for running mechanical
interests, and checking the prosperity of our
State and the influx Of nrtizans who fear no
honest, fair competition, and only ask that 10
more money be drawn from them in support Of
a system which actually sinks money-though
the scraps of former wasted goods and mate
rails, high rate placed on articles almost un-
suleable, and working convcts on state work
at much higher prices than would be given to
mechanics, enables it's managers of late, to
show a nominal profit. AS a remedy for this
crying evil, The establishment OF manufactures
Of bale rope, bagging, jeans, linseys and other
coarse goods, has proven to work well in many
sister States, and must ultimately be adopted
in this and though the people have been de-
tered by the overcharged estimates Of the me-
cessary machinery, the convicts might be leased
out as in other States TO manufacturing COM
penies, who will take all the risk, put money
10 the treasury, will ensure the security of the
prisoners, and better fulfil their sentence Of i'm
prsonment WITHIN tho walls, than by marching
them round the country in competition with
poor laboring men, unfortunate enough to be
honest--willing to work, but unable to COM
pete with convicted felons on State support
In view Of these circumstances, confident Of the
cooperation OF our brethren in every portion
Of the State, and an honest expression oil our
grievances, and the remedy proposed by every
journalist having at heart the welfare Of an in
telligcnt and deserving portion of their fellow
citizens, and with an abiding hope o. being met
in proper spirit by our respective candidates;
BE IL therefore resoired, That we invite a can
did investigation Of the penicious effects OF
the present Peniientiary system, and the RENE
dy proposed by the men OF all parties, who
have hitherto supported and advocated it,
That VIC appoint a committee Of five who shall
ascertain the sentiments Of all candidates for
Governor, and each branch Of the Legislature
in this county, and report TO an adjourned
meeting. Messrs. Daley, Wilson, Alexander,
4 Parker and Taylor, were appointed said CON-
miiice. That we will support no candidate
for Governor or either branch Of the Legisls-
ture, who will not explicitly pledge himself to
use everJ honest means to change the mode Of
employing the conviets in our State Penitentis-
~, to ono which will not conflict with our rep
uiation and interests, such ss that proposed in
the foregoing preamble. That TO give stren.,.in
and method to our efforts we FIRM our.elve,
into a society, to be cellled the "Hinds County
Mechanics Association.n That Mears. Nc.
Adam, Palmer, Smith, Carpenter and Osborne,
be appointed a COMMITTEES 90 correspond with
their friends IN v,nous paris II the State,