The Arkansas banner., 1845-06-18
MECHANICS MEETING.
LITTLE ROCK. June 1Itb. ISl

MECHANICS MEETING.
 LITTLE Rock, June 11h, 1915.
 The meeting convened, this evening, pur- suant to adjournment.
 The committee, appointed at the first mee- ting, made their Report, through MT. Walk CT. The report was unanimously adopted.
 On motion of Mir c. L. Sullivan, com mittee of seven were appointed, to prepare Constitution and bylaws for the ".Mechdn- ics' Association of LiHle Rock,n and report at the next meeting. Whereupon the Presi dent appointed the following gentlemen to compose said committee: Messrs. Haynie, Walker, Sullivan, Dooley, Annear, and Ben nett.
 The meeting was addressed, in able and eloquent speeches, by Mr. Walker, Dr. Bor- land, and Judge E. Il. English
 On motion of Mir. Annear, the thanks of the meeting were rendered to the speakers, by unanimous vote.
 On motion, 1t was resolved that all the newspapers in this State be requested to pub fish the Report of the committee adopted this evening, and the proceedings of this meeting.
 On motion of Mr. Walker, the meeting adjourned, to meet again on Saturday even ing 18th inst.
 II. F. SHAW, PreS'.
 c. J. GARNER, Scc'y.
 The following is the Report of the com- mittee, referred to in the foregoing proceed ngs:
 REPORT.
 The Committee, appointed at a previous meeting of the Mechanics of Little Rock, to prepare resolutions expressive of the views of the meeting in relation to the Penitenta- ", beg leave to say that, in consequence of the short time allowed them, they were una bic to come to any definite conclusion, and report at that meeting, they, therefore, asked and obtained permission to report at sub sequent meeting-the one now in session.
 Your committee are impressed with the belief that the Penitentiary system has failed to answer the ends for which 1t was estab- llshed; and that it IS tax upon Mechanics, so far as 1t reduces their wagess. That to teach men trades in the Penitentiary, and send them out to disseminate their villainous tricks among Mechanics, tend greatly to degrade and demoIalze that class; and that, thus, to bring conrict la6or in competition with hon- est industry, IS what no generous communi- ty should desire.
 Your committee believe that the labor of the convicts might be so directed, as in a measure to obviate the evils complained of The little skill required in the production of bale rope and bagging leaves no room to doubt but that the convicts could be en- ployed in the production of those articles to great advantage, not only to the institution, but to the farmers and planters of our State; to the farmers in the north by creating mar ket for hemp; to the planters in the south by furnishing bagging and rope at reduced price,
 We, the committee, do further believe that, whereas there is no legislative act or statute regulating or directing convict labor. There fore the entire management and control of the Penitcntary and convict labor are under the direct management of the Commission CTS of the Pententiary of this State. There fore
 l. Resolred, That the present system of labor carried on in the Peuitentiary has been great damage and grievance to the Mechan- ics ol this place; inasmuch as 1t has caused IL. or leave the State to obtain livelihood.
 7. RcSoiued, That the present convict la bor has not only been a serious injury to Me chanics, by bringing convict labor in compe- tition with theirs; but has also been mate rial one to this community, by driving away number of enterprising citizens from this city; and has also been a great injury to the State, by mourning debt to deiray the ex- pense of the institution, which must be paid by direct or indirect tax upon the people; while other States have received a revenue from their Penitentiaries by directing their labor to one branch that did not require much mechanical skill, and by leaving their Cities and States to flourish under mechanical enter prise.
 3. ReSolred, That we form ourselves in- to an association to be called the ...Mecha1- icS' Association of Little Rock
 n, NcpJn,. Io., d.,