Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1878-03-09
UTILIZING CONVICT. LABOR.
From the Bounviile Advertiser.

|
| From the Boonviile Advertiser
The last Legislature changed the old
law by declaring that hereafter the
article or goods stolen by culprit must
be of the value OF twenty dollars or
more instead OF ten, in order to consti-
tute grand larceny. This was "A step in
the right direction. but only n step. 1t
Is simply a feature in system for pun
ishing offenders that long since ought
to have been malured A large proper
ton oil the convlctS at one time last
winter - fully one-half-were entirely
unemployed. This was owing to Insult
hclent arrangements in the prison for
working the convicts mainly, but in ad-
dition many OF the prisoners were con-
fined for small ofienscs, and their SEN
tences were rarely tor more than two
years. AS general rule u convict ac-
| quired his mechanical skill in the prison
| itself. and those sent Tor only two years.
| exhaust their terms before they learn
hcw to work protitsbly. Especially has
this been the case in our pententiary
for the last fifteen years. The result has
| been that instead Of the prison being
Set-sustainiug, it has been 4 serious
| question with our state officers, in con-
| sequence Oi the Immense annual eX-
pense of the institution. whether the
honest working Luen outside could make
enough to support themselves. and the
| criminals inside of the prison. Under
the present management, greater
number OF the convicts is employed than
ever before, and consequently the prison
Is conducted At much less expense TO the
state than heretofore, and well grounded
hopes are entertained that in short
time it will not only cost the state
| nothing but be a source OF revenue.
| This can be brought about only in
one way. and that is to make every pris-
oner earn his own living who can work,
| and as much more as Is consistent, with
humane treatment and reasonable re-
qulrement. To do this the workmen
must have mechanical skill, which can
rarely be acquired by ignorant raw
hands within two Years, to such Il degree
ts to make II profitable. Persons who
commit small oitenses, punishable by
short terms, are generally ignorant and
not so vicious and dangerous rs those
"ho are sent tor live, ten and twenty
Years Inside OF the penitentiary 1t costs
just the same to support each prisoner
At this time il has become a positive
necessity to devise some means, by
which criminal costs and criminal eX-
peuseS, can be curtaileu. Criminal costs
III one shape or another. have become an
eating sore, and consuming disease Oh
The body polite which threaten the pub
lie health with alarming results. Already
the state has an unSattsf fe,i debt OF three
nr tour hundred thousand dollars that is
!, chargeable to this evil. and is constantly
increasing. 1t can and must be arrested.
IL is impossible that u proper and sa u
tary reform can he made on this sub
, ject al one session of the legislature tor
the reason, that SO little is undersl ood
, generally. in regard 20 1t, that no proper
pan tor Improvement that involves the
expenditure oi money, and money is
] indispensable to all plans. for improve
nent. will ever be tolerated by y great
majority; unless previous study and
attention. and instruction from their
constituents, have shown TO them what
; is true economy, aud tor the best inter-
es,s OF the state. 1t is owing to th,
, !act and numerous other besettng diff
culties. involved in this intricate subject
that our penitentiary has become the
A greatest elephant" in our state admin
: istration. and which compels its man,
/, ayers and overseers, instead Of carrying
out any system successfully, to content
themselves with simply doing the bes!
5 thing they can do under the circum
e stances. We have no dobt, that rs Il
q general RUE. no offender should be con,
tined in the pentcntiary, except those
who 60 tor great crimes and long terms.
e This class will stay there long enough
: to learn enough Ito do the state some
!. service" and recompense tor violating
her laws. The small offenders ought
to be kept at home. IN the counties
: where they are convicted, and put to
a work at anything they can do. to pay
for their clothes and meat aud bread
Every one that has strength enough car
crack rock, and earn his or her support
D others can dig and shovel dirt and grad.
hills. Let it not be said that this viii
I require the expense Of additional prison
!, houses 1t will be the very best economy
to build them. for they will soon pay
tor themselves. We are glad to notice
that that sterling newspaper. the Lexing
j ton Intelligencer, is giving its attention
I to this very serious aud important mat
ter. and has been followed by the ST
e Louis Republican,. not apt to be behind
$ time IN advocating anything tor the good
J ut our state. The only way to atfec'
n reforms IS to advocate them through
such sources. A general discussion will
, evolve the true policy If we can max.
1 our violators OF the laws build good
roads. keep them 10 repair, and at tn,
u same time supply their own subsistence
under Il wholesome reforming discipline
we do much to repair the calamities oI
crime by extracting good out ol evil
e AMI advantages out of misfortune.
r