The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-12-12
Convict Labor and the Carriage Interest.

OVnsACo AoUUA anu tut OhIIluSO A"S~AS SSs
Some time since it was announced that the
Convention of Carriage Builders held IN New
York denounced the competition OF tne MAINE
State prison and convict labor generally There
has been so much comment on the subject in
the PREss that it is due to this important inter-
est to give the abstract of the proceedings of the
Convention on this matter taken from the Of
fetal records of the organization. 1t is as fol-
lows:
Mr. j. w. Britton of N. Y stated that he
had learned with surprise, that the State au-
thOrities of Maine have for several years been
engaged in the manufacture of carriages at the
State prison. Instead of hiring out the labor
of the convicts to contractors, as is customary,
they have organized large carriage shop in
the prison. These carriages are thrown upon
the market in competition with the regular
trade. Mr.. Britton concluded his remarks by
offering the following resolution.
Whereas This association has heard with
profound regret that the Government of the
State of Maine is now employing the inmates
OF its prison in the manufacture of carriages
for Its own account and profit, andiselling them
in direct composition with its own citizens, to
their great and serious injury. Therefore be it.
ResolUed. That the Carriage Builders Nation
al Association of the United States in annual
meeting assembled, earnestly and solemnly
protest against practice SO unjust, and SO d.
rectly infringing upon the rights of the citizen.
ResolUed. That the Secretary be directed to
forward this resolution to the Governor of the
State of Maine.
Mr.. Britton then called upon the President
for his views as he had heard nothing from
him on the subject.
seem that he was largely interested in
this question, being carriage manu-
facturer in Mane he was, probably, the least
affected by it of any in the State, as the largest
part of his sales were made in his repository in
Boston. But it does interfere with other man.
ufacturers, more especially those in the eastern
part of the State. The warden of the prison,
who was appointed few years ago, happened
to be carriage maker by trade, and thought
that this business could be carried on with
large amount in the erection of buildings and
purchase Of tools and machinery. The plan
has been claimed as very successful and profit
able to the State But he doubted whether, if
the facts could be ascertained and an account
of stock taken, at its real value, if such ia
vorable showing could be made On the con-
trary he had no doubt the State would lose
largely in the end by the operation. He was
of the opinion that when the matter was
brought before the Governor and Council and
other State officials, most of whom he knew
personally and regarded as honest men, desir-
ing to do right by all the citizens of the State,
that they would give the subject their
careful consideration, allowing the carriage and
harness makers to be heard on the subject if
they desired, and would then act fairly in the
matter, and in his opiuion would soon change
the mode of operation. Mr.. Kimball spoke at
length, and closed by saying that he did not
wish to be understood as opposing convict Ia
Dor, but he was decidedly averse to the govern
ment, either State or National, entering into
manufacture on their own account His re-
marks met with tile warm appreciation of the
members.
Mr.. Britton followed with some remarks CO.
inciding fully with the president, and stated
that the question did not interfere with the en-
ployment of State prison labor by contractors,
but was directed against their employment by
the Government itself.
the subject for the consideration of the Associ
alton, was called upon for some remarks but
stated that bis views had been fully expressed
by the previous speakers. The resolution was
passed