The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1859-01-18

Thirty-four Of the convicts are now con-
fined in the State Prison COR life, and twen-
ty-four Of these arc confined in solitary
cells for wlful and deliberate murder.
Let crime continue to increase in our
State for the next three years in the same
ratio as in the past. and our prison at the
end Of that period will be full to its utmost
capacity.
In January 1857, the Legislature appro.
priated thirty-two thousand dollars for the
purpose of completing the east wing of the
prison, and constructing one hundred and
sixty-four cells therein, and for making
other improvements.
In pursuance Of this appropriation, the
Building Commissioner having charge of
it has nearly completed one hundred and
sixty cells, and has made other improve
mcnts contemplated by the appropriation,
for the particulars Of which you are respect
fully referred to the annual Report Of the
officers Of the prison for the years 1857
and 1858. Further appropriations are
necessary to be made in order to complete
the prison. Although one hundred and
sixty cells have been built since January
1887, yet the increase of convicts has kept
pace with the building of cells.
recommend to your consideration such
an appropriation as will enable the Build
ing Commissioner to complete such por-
tions of the prison as are Needed for the
safe keeping Of the convicts as they may
be brought here. For detailed statement
OF the finances Of the prison as are needed
for the safe keeping Of the convicts as they
may be brought here. For detailed
statement of the finances Of the prison, and
the manner that institution has been con-
Quoted for the past year, you are respectful,
ly referred to the Inspectors Report and
the accompanying documents now on file
in the proper department.
Much complaint is being made among
the mechanics Of our State, land particu-
larly among the carriage and wagon ma
kers) as to tho kind of labor in which the
convicts are employed. Our mechanics
claim that their labor is brought in compe.
tition with convict labor, the result Of which
is that they are compelled to s,ll tho pro-
ducts Of their industry far below remunera-
ting prices. This is a subject worthy Of
yotf attention.
There is no class of men more entitled
10 the fostering care Of legislation than the
mechanics Of our State. Danish mechan.
ical labor from our soil, and you strike a
death blow at our prosperity.
The constitution provides that mo me-
chanical trade shall hereafter be taught in
the State Prison OF this State except the
manufacture Of those articles Of which tho
chief supply Of homo consumption is impor.
ted from other States or countries"
The spirit Of this clause Of our constitu
ton would seem to prohibit the employ
ment Of convict laber upon such mechanic.
al works, the ehiefsupply Of which is deri-
we'd from our own State.
The manifest object Of this clause was tc
prevent convict labor from coming ID com
petition with free mechanical labor.
Il may be said that no cenyict in tht
State Prison is taught the carriage or wag
on makers trade, because no ono convict j
taught all tho different branches Of tue bu
siness, 60 as to be ablo to complete car
risgc or wagon. This kind Of reasoning