The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-02-08

is being performed by the convict in the Pen
itentiary and yet no voice save our own has
been raised against it. We now place our
grievance before the public We are aware
that the cost of maintaining the Penitentiary
is heavy burden upon the State, and one
which should be cheerfully borne by its citi-
zens, according to their means, and, a. wealth
producing citizens Of the State, we are will
ing to bear our proportion Of that burthen
neither do we object to the effort on the part
of the commissioners to make the institution
sell sustaining but We do believe that 1t is
both wisdom and policy on the part of the
State to refrain from interfering with the
legitimate trades and calling Of its citizens.
Ii the Penitentiary il to be made self sustain
ing, if the State is determined to make the
convict labor . source Of revenue, it
should introduce, or have introduced,
labor which would not interfere or
conflict with the labor of outside mechan-
les There are many branches of industry
which have not as yet been introduced into
this country, and for which We are depending
upon foreign countries. Why not, then, if
our law makers and law givers arc
sincere in their professions for the
convict introduce some of these in
dustries this would not only benefit
the convict, but it would also enrich the
State. But the present system Of hiring the
labor Of the convict to contractors and manu-
tacturers, at from thirty-tive to fifty cents per
day, not only does not benefit the State, but,
On the contrary, works positive injury to its
industrial population, and the only party
benefited by it is the contractor who hires the
labor u the convict.
Fellow citizens, were we to enumerate the
many industrial pursuits which are now car
red On III the institutions OF the State, We
would find them ranging among the most i'm
portant branches of our industries And we
now sOlemnly enter OUR PROTEST against our
trade being added TO the list We protest
against it because, as ADt,ricdu cTi-sns, who
uphold and observe the laws Of our common
country We object to being placed upon a
level with the outlaw and convict, who has
forfeited his claims apon, and liberty in, soci-
ETY. we protest against 1t ia the name of
justice, because We consider 1t piece Of Grim
NAL injustice on the part Of the State whose
duty It is 70 foster and encourage industry
and labor to tolerate the labor OF it, outlaws
to lie brought in competition with tile labor
Of its honest and law abiding mechanics and
artlzans We protest against 1t IN the name OF
MORALITY. because, as the system is now
conducted, 1t offers a premium for crime on
the part Of the vicious in society, as well as
the soulless contractor, who is indifferent
alike to the well being u the laborer and the
interest Of the consumer 50 long as he can fill
his pockets by the operation.
And We now ask at the hands Of a just
and impartial public a cool and dispassionate
consideration Of our protest, and in return we
assure them that whatever action we may be
compelled to take in the future to protect
ourselves and families we viii be governed
~ prudence and moderation. and desire to
10 justice to yurseiyc, aud the community at
large.
After reading the Protest, Mr.. Murphy, i'll
a short address, proceeded to urge upon the
srtic action Mr.. Krepps, being also present,
was called upon to address the meeting, which
lie did IN very able manner, contendhg that
the labor Of thieves should not be brought in
competition with that Of the honest nechan-
ics. and that it should be met with strong and
following motion, which was adopted
ResoJred, That we obligate ourselves not to
work for any employer who is in any way
connected with convict labor.
1t was also resolved that a Commit
tee Of three be appointed to confer with
the other trade organizations of the city as to
the propriety Of holding a mass meeting to
protest against convict labor The President
appointed the committee and after passing
vote Of thanks to the members 81 the press
present, adjourned to meet next week
THE LADIES OwN MAGAzINE. This beauti-
full and sensible literary and fashion monthly
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Mrs NJ. d Wyncoop Resale, transla
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" Biographical Sketch Of Florence Nightin-
gale Cora Wilbum contributes beautiful
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81 poetry containing The Exile's Tomb; "
" One Night; Glove Revealed Home
Letters aud Washington Correspondence are
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az it enters upon its fifth year with such a
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