The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-13


noticed in the "Union" of recent date, that reso-
uons were submitted by the honorable Andrew
Johnson, in the House of Representatives, to abol-
lsh the system of trade &c, present carried on in
the penitentary of the District Of Columbia to the
great detriment of honest mechanics. To my great
astonlshment the resolutions were voted down by
| the House. the same having been laid on the table.
| Whether this done in consequence Of the
| pressure of business now before Congress- whe-
| Their 1t was from want Of proper respect for the
| mechanics Of the country, | am at a loss to deter
| mine. hope, however, II may be the former But
be that it may, the bold and honest attempt on
the part Of our worthy and talented friend, who Of
fered the resolutions constitutes another bright spot
| among his numerous good Deeds adding lustrG to
| his hard-earned reputation Mr.. Johnson, being
himself mechanic, knows we'll how to appreciate
the feelings as well the and eers inflicted
upon the honest and industrious people of this coun-
try, and by those who feel themselves the more re-
fined, because they do not obtain livelihood by the
honest pursuits Of labor If there ever was an az
gravation in the annals Of American history it is
be found in the pententiary system of this District
Here you specimens of boots and shoes, and other
articles made by culprits, and sent to the different
| families Of Washington, to solicit custom on account
of their cheapness; whilst the honest mechanic is
literally in distress for want Of employment, in
1uence of the "cheapness" of convict labor. And
what is more astonishing the most prominent in ex-
tending this patronage persons holding high and
responsible situations under the government. Also,
circulars are sent into the bordering States from this
penitentary, soliciting "custom to the destruction
| Of poor mechanics, who, through necessity,
| compelled to travel through these States, and seek
| employ in the way Of their trades.
| l cannot believe that the treasury IS in such
condition at this time to demand a revenue from
this source, that government desires to place
the labor of elons in competition with the res pect-
| able standing Of mechanics. Or could for n
ment believe that Congress intended by their late
vote to continue this system definitely, | would at
once say, let the system bear equally upon all
classes of our community and not exclusively, as at
| present. upon the mechanics There many
clerks employed by the government, generally at
good salaries. There are many forgers and bank
swindlers, who often comprise the largest porsn OF
! the inmates of the penitentary, and who were
raised accountants, write elegant hands, ana are
| consequently as well qualified, ina mechanical point
Of view TO perform the duties of clerk, as those
now employed in the departments Why not, then,
dispense with some of these and employ these for
GERS and swndlers in their sead' Or why not ca
iabsh school in the prison, furnish it with libra
| nv, embracing law and medicine, with a board Of
professors to qualify the convicts for the different
professions as we'll as tradeS2 There are "mastcr
| mechanics" employed to teach the mechanic arts
WHY not embrace the different "protsSSions" and let
the stigma rest upon the different branches of sci
ence as well as that of Industry 1.-THE blessings
of government should descend alike upon ALL
/ sincerely hope that our worthy friend in Con
gress will not relax in his efforts in this very nud
able undertaking. The mechanics will certainly
| appreciate his motives and reward him for his good
intentions. further hope TO see the whole mcchan-
zeal portion Of the House Of Representatives stand
up to this matter, and assist in wi ping out this stan
which reflects upon so large portion of our clu-
zens will defer saying anything further on the
present subject, but will endeavor in few days To
point out mode that will show how the convlcta
can be employed, without conflicting Exclusively"
with the honest fame of the mechanic.
C.P