The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-10-31
OCCUPATIONS or TIE coNvIcrs.
time Of our Witt:

Tailor shop.. -..---.-..-......... ........ ID
+" BAH ROOM wash house, cock hou aud
dining room. ...--......,......-. ~
Wadens house------.... ,.,....... Us
0Asir shep.--.".... announcement. 10
Bath ana boiler room &c :...-...... 81
Earn .-------. .-----..--. ~
Railro and CANAL ..--..... -. ........ 10
Carpenters ana ~
Miscellaneous, .-...-----...-....--.e x
Females, --..-........--......----- S
The motive power is furnished BY two
immense steam engines Of $50 and 100
horse power. The irst drives the machiasry
in the stone yard, the wagon and mschine
shops, the second, that OF the cooper, cabi-
net and wagon shops. Bo.h are models Of
strength and beauty, aud work as smoothly
rs their miniature representatives.
In each department ard is placed in q
position commanding W OF the room,
whose duty il is to wAt~n and report on the
violation Of any of the rules Of the prison.
As matter Of course we found the cor
being allowed and admired, IS every visitor
must, the perfect order which prevailed, yes
we could not help asking ourselves the ques-
ito, Why should mech anicaI pursuits alone
be followedr AL professions are represen-
sented. Why should the labor Of these
men be only brought int" competition with
the labor Of the artisans My not sstab-
lish schools Of medicine aud lawt Is 1t
right that Messrs Phillips Of Chicago, or
Adams of Joliet should by leasing
the labor Of the convicts ct SO cents per
day, be enabled to underssll the produc-
tions of honest men This reader, is where
the Iorong lies, and where . reform 10 ur-
gently demanded.
THR coNvIcrs
as nigh : expected embrace all classes OF
society and all shades Of color. Strange as
It may seem, those who are sentenced for .
number Of years are more tractsble than
those who are sentenced for shorter peri
cd. the hope Of . reprieve doubtless influ-
encing many Of them. While we have no
unkind word to utter against these unfortuna-
ties we could not help thInking,as they march
ed to Dinner, in single file, and IS We watched
their villianous countenances, that society
was well rid of their company, sltt Iugh
their dress, the well known blue and white
stripe, with the short cropped hair may have
produced q too uniavorable impression.
Among the n0tables We observed the eel
ebrated forger CRoss bis present occupa-
ton is to run a sewing machine, though
when we saw him he was bard st work in
his cell, making up report for one Of the
deputy wardens. Con Ryan, equally known
to fame, was husily engaged running Lamb
knitting machine, manufacturing hose for
the prisoners. He took q great deal Of pride
in explaining to the visitors how the heel
was formed, and how simple.a difficult oper-
alton could be made.
The foreman Of the tailor shop, q well
built man, and n first class mechanic is
serving mis- third term Of imprisonment, for
eight years. He seemed perfectly content
ed, and moved about with as much nonchA-
lance as though he was monarch Of NIL be
SURVEY C4s Nv NOmiul1ctOuSt 1couAC0 We
that he was one Of the most reliable and
Trustworthy convicts in the prison.
On Saturday evening an attempt having
been made by two Of the inmates 10 escape,
the gentlemen were undergoing . somewhat
curious punishment for the rash attempt,
being compelled 10 stand in darken cd cell
for swenty-four hours.
TREATMENT or rHs c0kyIcrs
The treatment Of cor Victs 1t Jol,et, In in
striking contrast to thst pursued In other
institutions Of 9 similar character.
The lash is no longer used within i'm
walls. Brutality has giving place 10 hannah
ity. The aim is to rule by kindness rather
than by force, and to grant every privilege
consistent with the rules Of the prison and
public safety. The objects kept in view, Ia
snort being, to effect the reformation 90
much as to secure the Punishment Of the
criminal. As IN evidence that theee efforts
have mot been in vain the solitary confns-
ment cells, which under the old regime were
always Ioerally patronised, have been for
some time without an occupant, while men
Tho ere l..hsd A. .f,sr d.v =. No.,
.mon~ ~. mo., aoe,l. ;nh.t;...,.
-
fsr TEE SANITARY CONDITION
Of the prisoners is all that could be desired,
and ss a consequence. bas little sissness pre-
walls. Once week they are marched into
the bath room, which contains thirty vsz,
where they are compelled te,usdrsss and
submit to thoroagh sblatioa. The food
though plain, is wholesome and substantial,
while the vsstilasion Of the sIssping rooms,
. before stated. is admirable. Bus - !
tree is known BY iss fruit these statsmsnts
win be better appreciated when We assert,
q. the Authority az thu u.rdan th.f ~,