The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-10-14


national paper currency, was held at Wer-
ner's Hall. Nearly 500 citizens we're in
attendance. The assemblage was presided
over by the Hon. r. Z. Barber, mayor Of
the city, who briefly, though eloquently,
referred to the objects to be accomplished
by financial reform. He was followed by
ex-Alderman Hicks, who stated that at the
close OF the meeting an opportunity would
be afforded to ali present who desired to
join a greenback club, and endorse the
objects of the Independent organization.
The Hon. Alex. Campbell, candidate
for Congress in the Seventh Congressional
District, was then introduced, and al
though laboring under severe cold, in his
own unanswerable ard logical manner, re-
plete with facts and data, referred to the
legislation Of the past, controlled by the
money kings, at the expense and in def
ance of the interests OF the producing
classes. He concluded by stating that he
would, In few days, place in the hands
OF sSeFy voter in his district an account of
his stewardship, and review of the fnan
cial situation.
A c. Cameron, Of Chicago, was the next
speaker, and referred to the Importance
Of the issues now pending before the
American people. He advised working
men especially, to do their own thinking
and voting, and help to destroy, root and
branch, the labor-robbing system which il
paralyzing the arm Of industry, and spread
ing want, ruin and desolation over the
land
DR.. Hanley, of Lockport, followed The
Doctor is one of the most effective speak
ers in the State, and did himself and the
subject he advocated full justice.
Mr.. John Ryan closed the meeting with
an entertaining speech Of ten minutes,
which was enthusiastically received.
In the morning, in company with Judge
Breckenridge, Judge Campbell and Mr..
Hicks, We paid visit to the rolling mills,
at which nearly GOO men are employed
The mills are among the most extensive of
the kind in the State, and have the reputa-
ton of turning out rails which are equal to
any manufactured in the world, and this is
saying great deal. We found the men
enthusiastic greenbackers, anxious to re-
ceive any and every document bearing on
the money question, and determined, al
most to a voter, to cast their ballots for
their worthy standard bearer.
Leaving the mills, we visited the
Illinois State Penitentiary, where, through
the courtesy of Warden McClaughrey, we
were placed in charge Of Capt Sleeper,
under whose guidance we were taken
through the buildings, and to whom we
hereby return our thanks for information
and courtesies received. From him we
learned that at the time of our visit the
number of convicts within the walls
amouRted'to l ,561 the majority Of whom
we're divided as follows
SroNE-CUrrERs-employed 225, most of
whom are now engaged ON the Rockford
courthouse, under contract.
GRANITE-CUTTERs-15, employed on
monuments.
MARBLE-CUTTERs-
CooPERs-l8O, engaged on firkins, pork
and -four barrels.
SHoEMAKERs 400, under contract, BY
SELF & Co. of Chicago
HARNESS MAKERs-50.
MoLDERs, ETc.-sO, contracted for by
Ohio Butt Co.
CIGAR-MAKERs-140, under contract.
Female convicts 26.
The balance are employed as laborers,
clerks, blacksmiths, in repair shops, etc.
The sanitary arrangements are excellent,
and the health of the prisoners all that
could be desired, at the time Of our visit
only two convicts being in the hospital.
The buildings are solid, substantial struc-
lures, roomY and well ventilated. If clean.
illness is next to godliness the inmates of
the cells, as a rule, must be nearer to
heaven inside of the walls than they have
ever been outside, for everything is clean
as new pin. The discipline, frmness,
system, rigid adherence to the rules laid
down, blended with humanity; the incul-
cation that obedience and good behavior
will be rewarded, while condign punish
ment awaits the transgressor, is calculated
to secure reformation, where reformation
is within the pale of possibility and appeals
to the latent feelings of manhood even in
the most hardened. The abolition Of the
lash and the bath has been followed by
material improvement in the conduct Of
the criminals, and there is probably less
insubordination exhibited at Joliet than in
any similar institution of the kind in the
country. Strange to say, however, that
more trouble is occasioned by the young
foot-pads and pickpockets than by the con
victs charged with more serious offenses,
who, as q rule, are among the quetest and
best behaved of the prisoners.
The food prepared is of the most whole
some character, the beef used being equal
to any in the Chicago or Joliet markets,
while the bread, manufactured from Nor
toms hydraulic -four, the supply Of which
is unlimited, is better than one-half Of that
obtained at the average boarding house.
The convicts have the use of library con-
tanning 5000 volumes, making their selec-
ton from a catalogue which is placed IN
each CELL The book selected is marked
on the margin, and is delivered by the Ii
brarian. Divine service is held every Sab
bath, but owing to the crowded condition
Of the penitentiary the eonvicts are d.