The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-01-31
COLUMBIA, IS. e.
satur iay Morning January 81. 1874.
Rather vordant.

OOuOCy Q8y0 uelA cOnVSntlOG aOO
framed = memorial to the Legislature.
in which they ask some things that seen
reasonable enough, others that are Of
doubtful policy, and. others again that
are botL, unreasonable and impolitio.
In demanding just and fair valuation,
to be secured by legislative action, of
the taxable property of the State; that
appropriations for government expenses
be restricted to the limits of the present
tax levy; that dieh arsing officers be held
to accountability for moneys under their
control: that taxes shall hereafter be re-
duced; that the printing be awarded to
the lowest bidder, and not cost in the
aggregate more than $50, ,OOO-the
young men are in safe line, and their
memorial as to these objects can do no
harm, it it does no good. The requisi-
ton that the contractor for the public
printing shall employ workmen ire
speotivedf color, while natural enough
for these young men to make, touches q
matter which shonld be left exclusively
to the contractor himself. He might
find 1t difficult, perhaps impossible. to
conduct an Office upon these terms:
Responsible men who undertake bust
.ness do not relish dictation as to the
Amesas and agencies they may employ in
1T. 1aey have to look to their obliga-
-tions, and interference OF this sort
night seriously impair their capacity to
meet them. There are more obstacles
In the way of carrying out their wishes
in this matter than these inexperienced
young men imagine. But, as we have
said. it is natural and proper for them
to desire to enlarge the field OF employ
'ment of colored persons, and, for one.
we have no objections to make to it.
In urging upon the Legislature that
they enact q bill prohibiting the hire of
convict labor, they assign reasons which
do not exist. They assert that it lowers
the wages Of honest men and inte.feres
with the support of their families. The
amount of work done by the peniten-
tiary sonvicts is tee snall TO- affect the
interests OF hard working men outside.
The sum. received last year. $685.
which ais, OBJ they say, ''poor showing
for cehY!s4 hire" )" is q strong showing
against the proposition they advance.
Convicts ought not to be idle. The in
stitution which they patronize ought to
be made self-supporting. II they
worked .proAtably within the walls of
their prison. or outside under guard
and direction, the sum raised by taxa
ton for it's support would not have to
be levied. And as it is to be hoped
they are not incapable OF improvement
and amendment in morals and industry,
nothing would contribute more directly
to this end than constant, regular and
suitable work. The habits of labor thus
formed, the love of industry which
might thus be implanted. would be both
solace and means of support to
these unhappy men. Their thoughts
would take new direction, and with
the means of independence and support
which they would acquire while working
under constrsint, they wonld be lifted
above their condition and form resolu-
eions to use thepower. when they should
be restored to freedom. which they
would become conscious of possessing,
rather than return to the dishonesty,
vice and laziness of their former lives.
There are good grounds, therefore, in
the necessity of lowering the taxes and
cutting down the appropriations, as we'll
as in the reflex influence upon the con-
victs themselves, in improving their
morals snd imparting to them such
habits as might restore them to useful
ness again, for keeping these means
steadily at work. If they oonld be pnt
upon public works, such rs railroads,
canals or factories, it would he the bet
ter plan, but let them do ally work that
will be remedial .upon themselves. and
that will relieve the State of the heavy
burthen of their support.
We are sorry to see any men, Young