Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-02-15

Summers, Turner.

McssrS. Adams, Baxter, Faulkner and
kirtlcy not voting.
\ h l2I, authorizing the letting out of
cOnviytS from the pcnltcntlary 10 public
Improvement companies for labor on
their works, was taken up on ITS third
reading.
Newton opposed the bill, on the
grounds that by letting prisoners out to
bc worked in all kinds otdaugrrous posi-
tiOns, exposed To- all sorts ut weather,
the punishment was increased after the
passing ol the sentence. For this rca-
son, hc held, the hill is unconstitutional
Ii l. also incNpcdlcut, because the state
haS gone To- the expense ot building Il
large prison, and purchase appliances
aud erect shops t. make the institution
sell supporting Now it is proposed to
send the inmates out To- work Tor moth
ing, and have the shops and appurtcn-
auccS idle and unpruduCtiyc. lie closed
with a motion To- lay the bill on the
table, which was, however lost,
Adams explained the provisions ui
the Till, which are,
So. |. That the Governor Is author
izcd To- furnish To- any railroad or inter
nal improvement company, free OF hire,
a. many ab!c-budicd male ConViCts from
the prnitcntiary as may now OF here
after hr there as can be spared without
interfering with contracts heretofore
made. To be used by such companies in
the construction ut their works within
this State. PrO,Ui,i, That all expenses
oi guarding, boarding, clothing and med
ic.l attendance shall he borne 10y the
company receiving SAID Conylcts.
SO. -. Before receiving said CpnVlCtS
the company su receiving shall execute
AMI Tile with the Treasurer ut this State
"A bond with security, conditioned lor
the boarding, clothing, guarding ami
medical attendance Oi said cunviCts.
The said company may IN lieu OF said
bonds, deposit money or other securities.
The bond with its penalty or the secur-
ity deposited in lieu thereof, shall loo
fixed and approved 10y the Board OF
Public Works.
80. 5 The Supintendcnt of the PEN
itrutiary shall furnish CunVlcts let under
this act, with all necessary clothing at
the same character as that furnished
other convictS; aud the company re-
cciying said cOnviCts shall pay the State
the actual cost thereof The superin-
tendeut of the guard shall make requiSi-
ton ior all clothing and distribute the
clothing To- the CunyiCts.
SEv. l. The Governor shall appoint a
superintendent of the guard, whose
compensation shall Ice paid lay the com
pauv. and the hrsupcriutcndent shall have
charge ui the guard and shall supcrln-
tend the same, SEE that the CunViCtS are
properly led, clothed, guarded, and have
proper medical attendance, and he shall
report to the Superintendent oi the Pen
itcutiarv, once a-mOnth, the condition
and treatment Ot said CouvictS The
compensation of the supcrInt 'ndent of
the guard shall be agreed upon between
the Governor and the company.
So. >. Upon proof that such CunyiCtS
are Improperly led, clothed, or cruelty
treated. the Governor may cancel any
contract made under this act, and recall
the convict.
Newman wanted to give the full ben
rtit ui all possible advantages To the
State at large. Ii has been claimed that
the skilled labor in the prison comes in
competition with that of the artisans oi
the State True: but ii these COnVictS
be- allowed to GO cut and work upon
railroads and canals they would come
iu contact with class much less able To
sustain competition, the unSklllcd day
hborcrs.
Nlr Adams thought that 81 lar a. his
section ui the country l. concerned, the
wrongs done this poor class will h. al
together imaginary. lie thought the
effects oi the hlll il passed would hc
beneficial to the people. tic has noticed
thai when railroads have their own
hands L. furnish In this state. they ~ tu
thc eastern shor al Virginia and
employ darkiCS. tie thought this would
withdraw the competition nom the
skilled artisans, and Vet the CUnyicts
would cost nothing 80 the State. The
running oi the machinery al Mounds
willie does hot accomplish this. This
plan will, beside huildins up the waste
plarvS Of this state.
Judge Brown, Senator Woods IN the
chair said it j. impossible tu employ
Cunvicts Al any labor without ongendcr-
ing competion tie attended mass
meeting az the court house last night,
aud he gdthercl trum the men there that
thev were opposed Ia sending the con-
victs t. any labor at all. The Judge show
ed the fallaCy and duntensbleReSS Of suCha q
position. and declared his intention to
vote for the hill lie thought the work
under It ON outdoor Improvement less
Objectionable aS competition with the
labar Of citizens than the skilled labor
within the penitentiary walls, which
came in conflict with skilled artisans
emploved al their own homes.
Mr. Newton asked him il prisoners
could have the nature Of their punish
ment altered after sentence had been
passed. lie answered 10y quoting from
the sentence: ITO he confined in the
peni;entiary at Moundsville, and there
treated ds Relaw direcss." "Well," said
Mr.. Newton, IL will ask the learned
gentleman another question; Can you
pass an er poSi JaasO law?h The Judge re-
piled that il could not be done. Mr.. New
Ion then made the point, from these
Il - IL =. ..,,ll L.