Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-12-04
THE CITY.
INDUSTRIAL.
Mechanics and Manufacturers As
ISOLATION.
Memorial TO the Legislature ON Con.
vict Mechanical Labor.

The regular meeting Of this association
was held last night, Mr. I. b. Jones in
the chair.
After the minutes had bsen read, when
the Committee on Banks was called, Mr..
Jones remarked that as some question had
arisen at the last meeting in regard to the
Mechanics Bank, he would simply make q
statement in reference to that Institution.
He had made diiigent inquiry and had as
certained that the bank was in sound
condition, and that mechanics might feel
no hesitancy in depositing money there.
He also stated that sums as small as one
dollar would be received, and that the
bank would be open until late hour
on Saturday night to accommodate me-
chanics.
The Committee on Transportation being
called, Mr. Jones stated that that commit
tee had no report to make, except that 1t
might be stated that there had lately been
some reouction in the rates on freight, to
the advantage of merchants in Nashville.
The action taken by the Board of Trade in
connection with the Committee of the As
ISOLATION, had led to the belief that uDjust
determinations had been made against
Nashville and in favor of Louisville and
other points. Steps were being taken to
prevent this discrimination.
Mr. Warren then made some remarks,
in the course of which he stated that in
regard to the article Of furniture the Nash
vile and Chattanooga and Nashville and
Northwestern Railroads had made what he
thought eIacting demands; namely, re-
curing shippers to sign what is termed a
bill of release; that is, releasing the Rail
road Company from any responsibility
whatever as to bTeakage, chatesge, etc.
He did not know why this should be re-
quired of furniture men more than other
manufacturers.
Mr. Jones stated that as a member OF
that committee he was glad to receive tie
suggestion, and hoped members would
have no hesitancy in reporting to the com
mittee any similar fact that might
come under their observation, and he, as
one of the committee, would be willing at
any time, to leave his own business to at
tend to the business of the committee,
Mr.. Warren, chairman of the committee
appointed to draw up q memorial to the
Legislature in regard to the conflict be-
| tween Penitentiary mechanical labor and
SIMILAR outside labor, presented the follow
ing memorial. We may here remark that
though Dr. Atchison's signature is not
appended, Mr. Warren stated that he had
read the memorial to DR.. Atchison, who
had stated his willingness to siga it, and
| Mr.. Warren said he supposed the othel
| Inspectors of the Penitentiary would be
willing to approve whatever DR.. Atchison
did in relation to the matter.
MEMORIAL, To THE LFGIsIATuRE.
/ To the General Assembly of the State Of Tennes
/ see in Convention assembled, at Nashville, -
| 1870.
GENTLEMEN In exercising that higi
prerogative of petitioning our Legislature
which is but the Just right of every citizsI
of the State, and having the most implicit
! confidence in your earnest desire to pro
| mote as far as practicable by Just and equit
| able legislation, the best interests of you
fellow citizens, by giving them such whole
some laws as will best encourage and pro
tect them in all laudable pursuits Of pros
perity and happiness, and especially in all in
| dustrial pursuits, the efforts of honest lsbOl
on which the State must depend for per
mRnent progress in the development o
| her material resources and sincerely
hoping and believing that a new and more
| prosperous era is already beginning tC
| dawn on our manufacturing interests, tina
| with proper encouragement Will soon place
them in successful competition with oul
richer and more experienced neighbour
that have heretofore drained our treasures
to purchase of them manufactured goods
that We can and ought to make at home
and fully approaching the fact, that one o
the chief elements of wealth to almos
every State is in the manufacture of it
crude materials into salsble merchan
disc, we the undersigned mechanic
manufacturers and citizens in differen
parts of the State respectfully but earnest
| ly represent to your honorable body that
notwithstanding the present law direct
that the Commissioners of the Pententiary
In the management of that institution shall
conflict as little as possible with the me
chanical industry of the State, the presen
system of employing the convict labor o
the State is working such a detriment tC
our manufacturing enterprises as to rendel
the factories already in operation unproft
able and entirely prevent the inaugu atloI
of any new manufacturing enterprise tina
will have to compete with the labor of thC
State prison 1t must be apparent to you
honorable body that no individual eut II
prise or private corporation can successfully
compete with prison labor supported as i
is by the capital and credit of the State
and especially is the risk made more
hazardous to the citizen by the Agents o
the State Prison entering the market al
| purchasers of crude materials for manu-
| featuring, and as sellers of all goods
manufactured by the State Prison, and re
ceiving commission both for purchasing
and selling, thereby making it to their in
dividual interest to make both the pur
chases and sales as large as possible.
AS q question of equity We do not thinl
the State has the right to turn its prison
for criminals into a manufacturing mon
opoly, the direct tendency of which is t.
break down the very institutions of homes
industry that are taxed to build 1t up, and
as a question of expediency, We do no
think it polite in the State to drive from
its borders numerous and thrifty class o
enterprising and ingenious citizens, for tn,
hope of a mesger pittsnce of revenue t.
be derived from its convict labor.
| The premises being considered, we pral
| your honorable body TO take such actor
as your wisdom may suggest to relieve on
| mechanical interest of these embarrass
ments.
Respectfully submitted,
| A. J. WARREN,
A. ]. BAIRD,
| W, II. PREwITT
After reading the above Memorial, Mr.
Warren states that after several conference