Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-18
CONVICT LABOR.

IN New York In relation u cou'lSt iaooi
in Maine will be noticed by our readers.
The resolves adopted protest against the
employment of inmates ofthe State Prison
By the government in the manufacture of
carriages to be sold in the market in COM
petition with the products Of private cit
liens. The basis of the argument for the
course adopted by the convention is stated
near the close of Mr.. Kimball's remarks
opposition to the State or Nation entering
into manufacturing on its own account. Of
course if Mr. Kimball's position is correct
and should be enforced to its full extent
there could be no more labor in the Prison
except possibly by contract with private
parties.
From the tenor of the remarks made in
the convention it might be supposed that
the building of carriages in the Maine
State Prison is of recent origin. The truth
is, however, that the business has been
carried on continuously great number of
years, ante-dating the history any ofthe
largest carriage making establishments
now in the State. For many years it was
carried on under the contract system, as
was also the manufacture of boots and
shoes, a system under which the contract
ors became rich and the State was obliged
to pay large sums to meet the current ex-
penses ofthe institution. Some years ago
q change to the present plan was adopted,
the result of which has been profitable to
the State, and judging from facts which
appear it has not been damaging to private
manufacturers. Since that change the
building of carriages has increased largely
in the State; one of the largest and best
manufactures in the State, situated but a
few miles from the Prison. has grown up
almost entirely within that period from
small beginning. If this establishment
could thrive almost under the walls of the
Prison, where it was brought into the
sharpest and closest competition with the
labor of the convicts, why need the
builders in New York. New Jersey and
the rest Of the United States be troubled
about carriage building in the Maine
Prison?
But should the State or Nation never
manufacture? Mr.. Kimball argues that
they should not. As q general rule we
believe he Is correct, but there are excep-
tons. The State or Nation manufactures
coin, builds vessels, makes arms. and in
emergencies carries on business of many
kinds. The ultimate purpose in doing
these things is not mere pecuniary profit
the only object which private manufac-
turers have-but there are considerations
of the public safety or needs or other in
terests that enter into the plans of the
government when 1t carries on business
upon its own account. In the employment
of conyicts the State does not regard the
matter solely with an eye to the making
of money. While it is desirable that the
Prison labor may be turned to good ac-
count pecnniarily, it is used for discipline,
health, and 10 lit the convict for obtaining
an honest living after his term of service
Is completed and he leaves the peniten-
tiary. SO that he may not be forced into
crime again by destitution. Under the
contract system the convict is employed
il is true, but while we have tried and
found it pecuniari!y Improbable in this
State, we have also found, what will be
found to be true everywhere, that the
contractor loses sight altogether Of ben
efits to accrue to the prisoner after he
energies from confinement, and considers
him simply as an instrument with which
to make money, and employs him in such
manner as will wiring the most profit out
of him, and not in the way that will make
the best man of him and best protect
community after he is free. The safety
and welfare of society are subserved by
the method now adopted, and these con-
siderations ought to be sufficient to war
rant the action of the State in the employ
ment Of the convicts as it now does
without regard to the pecuniary question.
The last consideration is the least impor-
tant Of all, although we find that the tax
payers are far better pleased with n bal
ance in favor OF the earnings oflhc Prison
than one on the other side.
In regard TO employing the cheap labor
of convicts to cheaper the labor of honest
mechanics in the country at large, by offer
ing the products of the Prison in carriages
or anything else at less than their value or
fair market rates, we must express dis
appreciation. But we are not aware that
such course is pursued here. There
have been complaints of the Kind heard.
but no facts have appeared to sustain them.
Honest labor should not suffer by compe-
tition with convict or pauper labor The
growth of the carriage business in this
State does not indicate any unhealthy com
petition from the Prison, neither do the
wages Of workmen at the present time as
compared with prices before the State be-
came a manufacturer show such an effect.