Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-17
PRISON CONVENTION.
Jail WorkshOps-T The Tramp Question

PRISON CONVENTION.
Jail WoIkshOps- The Tramp Question.
Agreeably to call, the Sheriffs, Jailors and
County Commissioners of the State, met at the
court house, yesterday forenoon, in annual con-
vention. The attendance was unusually large
the following persons being present;
Androscoggin-Luther Perkins II. w. Briggs
John Read Commissioners; Rufus Prince, Jail
and Prison Inspector.
Aroostook-Nelson Herring, Sheriff.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Stuart, John l.. Swift
Commissioners; VIM. Ii. Dresser, Sheriff.
Kennebec-E. G. Hodgdon, ID. H. Thing, Reu-
ben S. Neal. Commissioners; VIM. Wilson. Jail
and Prison Inspector; VIM. Ii. Libby Sheriff
John o. Page, Tailor.
KNOW. W. Rice, Warden State Prison.
Lincoln-Charles NJ. Davis, Joseph Nickerson
Andrew Lacy, Commissioners; James f. Morse,
Sheriff.
Oxford-C. o. Pendexter, b. Y. Tuell, Com
lnissioncrs; Josiah W. Written, Sheriff.
Penobscot-Hiram Stevens, John Kmball Geo.
b. ieayi,t, Commissioners.
Sagadahoc-J. NJ. Hayes, Clerk Courts; Robt
p. Carr, Benz F. Marble, F. j. Parks, Com
missioners; F. X. Millay, Sheriff.
Wsldo-Crosby Fowler, ID. X. Drake, j. P.
Wentworth.
York-James F. Bracket, ]. Bragdon, n. II.
Deering.
Franklin-Orrin Hall.
The meeting was called to order at half past
eleven by Mr. Rice of Thomaston, and that gen
tie man read the call OF the convention. Mr.. John
Read moved that Hon. d. II. Thing be appointed
chairman by reclamation which was done With
few remarks, Mr.. Thing proceeded to the bust
mess of the convention. 1t was moved that Mr..
Read be appointed Secretary, but that gentlemen
declined. Z. .. Pendexter of Oxford county WAS
then appointed Secretary.
Mr. Rice suggested that committee of seven
be appointed rs Business Committee, aud tho fol-
lowing gentlemen were named to serve:
Mr. Rice of Knox, Mr.. Read of Androscoggin
Mr.. Libby of Kennebee, Mr.. Brsgdon of Cumber
and, SIr. Carr of Ssgadshoc, Mr.. Swift Of Cum
belland, Tue of Oxford.
Mr. Rice desired to be excused from serving on
he committee on account of other urgent bust
u,ss matters. Mr.. Wilson of Hallowell was ap-
pointed 10 his place, but that gentlem declined,
and hoped that Mr.. Rice would not insist on his
desire 10 be excused. Mr.. Rice decided to serve.
On motion Of Mr.. Libby the convention ad-
jourued till two o'clock in the afternoon.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Tic afternoon session opened at 2 IL o'clock.
SIR. Thing in the chair.
The Committee on Business made report,
through MIR. Read. Tue convention proceeded to
discus, the questions set forth in the call.
j hn Read Of Andrnscoggin said he considered
the workshop In that county n success 1t
not started as pecuniaiy enterprise, though tie
sst year the expenditures had been SIS 900 while
the receipts were Sl7 600. But there had been
much profit in the discipline and habits of industry
acquired by the men. The prisoners prefer to
work rather than to be coufued in the cells.
solomon Stewart of Cum berland county, said
hey had paid out the past year $4,000, and re-
ceived shout ST, 900. The discipline and deport-
ment of the prisoners had been good, and they
had given the officers very little trouble.
Hon. VIM. Wilson Of Hallowell, bad been
long tine an advocate of workshops in connection
with jalls. From the inception of the plan, il
was not expected that financial receipts would be
the largest amount OF good received, but its effects
upon the future good and welfare of the. prison
ers. But IN several counties it had already proved
pecuniary success, balance Of 5000 in Cumber-
land and a small balance in kensebec. The re-
suits had been better than had been anticipated.
Young men, who have been brought up in igno-
rance, not knowing how to apply themselves to
any legitimate business, and had got into JAIL had
lana in the Jail workshops the foundation OF use
full trade by which they could earn an honest living
They had acquired habits of industry and applioa.
ton. And some Of those discharged have gone
out into the world good citizens. He hoped there
would be no backward steps 10 the mater OF the
jail workshops
there had been established since 1875. They hal
been unfortunate in contracting for class Of la.
Dor sash, blind and doors) that convicts could not
be put upon with profit. Few convicts are capa-
bic of doing that kind Of work. They have late
y made brooms, quite successfully. The contract
having run out, the shop has been closed since
Dec. olst; hope to open again; etf.c, of the work
upon prisoners had been salutary.
Mr.. Davis of Lnco DIN said the work shop there
had been of pecunisry benefit to the county, but
not this year Prison labor let TO manufacturer of
boots and shoes who pays the county certain per
cent. The county had not lost anyth ing, and had
kept the prisoners at work.
Mr. Read said when they first started the work
i. a..
cOnvi,is to a contractor, for making "shoddy," or
inner soes for shoes; but there was a constant
clashing between the contractor aud the county.
They took the work out of his hands, and started
on the manufacture Of wonen's shoes, a cheap
class Of goods. But the sales were not altogether
satisfactory, and they got rid of that and returned
to the manufacture of shoddy. The last four
months the shop had made good showing But
the trouble WAS with the short sentences. OF the
$50 taken the past year, more than one-half were
from Lewiston on 80, 60 and 80 days sentences.
The most simple work will yield the gre alter profit
No man should be sent to jail for 80 days: be
should have longer termi either 10 benefit or
punish him.
Mr.. Bracket of York, said be wa. sorry they
had no facilities for working their prisoners in
his county, but they had endeavored to put the
criminals where they would have TO work, hav-
ing furnished more men for the State Prison the
past year than any other part of the State.
de then commenced to speak on the subject Of
ton of the convention the remainder of the az
ternoon. He thought the hard times and stra lght-
ened circumstances had gwen rise to the tramp
question in great measure. Men drift about
many with honest intentions. starting out, and
asking for help; they need it, the times are hard
and when they ask for it, we Immediately call
them "tramps." Many of this class are good men
men Of good intentions-snd they should be
provided Tor in some way. The towns should
care for them within their borders and not send
them to prison; it is calculated to break them
down and dishearten them, and make them more
liable to commit crime. Ii towns could provide
1t would be better than to make Jail birds of them
Mr.. Pendexter of Oxford, said he would ven
ture the assertion that no one prese Mt had known
a ptrson who had disposition to work, Obliged
to take to the road and become "A tramp.
Mr.. Bracket knew some pretty good fellows
among the class of tramps-they not all worth
less. In his section there was nothing to do, no
logging, and farmers cut their own wood. Men
don't like to starve to death on their own door
stools, and SO they are leaving home and becoming
lramps.
Warden Rice, of the Maine State Prison, said
he supposed that one of the objects of the con-
veution was to get at tue views of different per-
these various questions. While this
committee was not specially called to influence
legislation, those who had much to do
with criminals, would see defects in the law
OF in its execution. In the matter of employing
criminals, it had taken years to bring that about
and WA. FINN IN ha a It, in he iJht direc