The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-06-28
Convict Labor
nas. MrptIRS Of Metal workers.

III pursuance u a calI issued W, th, Metal
Workers Benevolent and Protective .uiou.
about 300 III the men engaged m working at
galvanized iron cornce work assembled Up the
West Side Opera House. West Randolph st.,
on Thursday night
The meeting was called III order by Mr.
ttreeu. late President If the Metal Workers
B and + Union Mr. rre-n stated the ob-
lrct q the meeting iu feN pertinent re
marks. and then introduced Mr. Lawirf, who
addressed the meeting On thr r,I N ron.Ict
labor committee ~ three vas appointed
III draw ID resolutions expressive nt the sense
Of the meeting IL the absence 81 the com
mittee M Knight member VI the mon,
delivered All address, IA which ~a- set forth
w very lucid nsnner. the many evils which
the metal workers a ,iass we're subject to
The Committee on Resolutions re-entrred the
hall as NJ h vas concluding hi, remarks,
ana repo. ia the following preamble and reso-
Iutions
WHEREAS. It shoald " the end aud ann II
all democratic republican governments 70 Sc
gure IL the citizen the largest amount ot hap
pluess and liberty compatible with law and
order. to protect the Law abiding citizen IN the
pursuit d all legitimate business, T. punisa
the criminal tor all violations IF law, and t.
discountenance Al schemes tending to monnp-
DIV and corruption. and
WHEREAS. The introduction Of skilled me-
chanical labor INTO our state Penltentiary has
brought the labor If the outlaw and convict
into direct competition with that ~ the law
abiding citizen, gwen birth t. the lnlquitOus
contract system. thereby ennchIng iew con
tractors. paid premium for crime; and has
proved injurious alike % the honest employ En-
ana rtnploye without any material benefit to
the state at large. Therefore he At
E.,.ir,H. That any system that prryerts
the intention ~ the Law and the reformation
NJ the criminal. utu a money making scheme
deserves the depreciation Of All law abiding
citizens
R.spir-i That the y stem a present pur-
sued m our State rrnItentIary, IA compelling
the convict t. art a mere automaton, Is un-
Just, and does not perfect him IN the art and
mystery Of any industry, and therefore does
not qualify him A. 4 proficient mechanic to
work at any trad, when he leaves that nisti-
tuition
R.,0fr.d That system that compels the
mechanics ~ one profession to bear the brunt
If the crimes Of the state j. repugnaut to ~
,.ry principle of Justice, honor and true man
hood.
R.soIred That as No class Of individuals
Az 70 much IN need Of the influence 81 saving
grace as criminals, and a several hundreds At
them have given evidence OF a change of
heart, We consider it proper To recommend
the education of such a. those Tor the minis
try In proportion to the ratio Of clergymen
IN 5he State and for other professions IN the
same ratio.
Resolved That, If the present system mus
be continued. We DEMAND an equalization of
labor among the convicts IN our state penn
Tertiary. the sale Of the products OF their La
Mar AZ pubhc auction; the abe. Itlon nt the
contract system: and their employ .nent at such
labor a. will not come IN direct competition
with that % the American mechanic.
Resolved That copy Of the foregoing res
olutIons H. sent t. each member OF the state
Legislature. and that each and every member
he requested to state his position on tins I'M
portant subject. and whether they are pre-
pared to vote for an enactment Of law EN-
bodying their spirit; also that copy be sent t.
President Of every Trade and labor Union Ii
the state. accompanied with request that
the same be indorsed by each of the Unions.
Your committee would further recommend
that committee Of three he appointed to re
ceiye the answers Of members Of our Leglsla-
ture and sister Unions.
b J Murphy was called upon and spoke II
favor Of the resolutions. He was followed by
Mr Hartman. who addressed the meeting IL