The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-04
CONVICT LABOR CONTRACTS.
Shall They ha Aholishadl

ohoh 4uEy ue AUOlisu6us
The Trades and Labor Assembly submits
the following for the consideration of vo.
ters
The practice of farming out convict la
Dor to contractors at less than the current
wages Of free labor is grievance which has
for years been complained of by manufac-
turers whose profits have been curtailed in
order to compete in the market with the
contractors, and by mechanics who have
suffered reductions in wages in consequence
OF this unfair competition.
In 1877 special committee of the House
OF Representatives presented to that body
report containing mass If evidence ON
tins subject and commended the abolish
ment OF the prison contract system. The
report was ad pied and ordered printed,
but no action has since been taken on the
recommendations of the committee, and
the evil complained of continues unabated.
Believing that this injustice alike to EN-
ployer and employe can be remedied with
out loss to the State, and for the purpose Of
securing prompt legislation, the Trades and
Labor Assembly recently submitted to all
the candidates for the Senate and House of
representatives from Hamilton County, on
both Republican and Democratic tickets,
pledge, binding them, if elected. to their
pest efforts to secure the enactment OF
law prohibiting convict labor contracts.
AS this is not necessarily party question,
but one which directly affects some manu-
facturers, and in which trades unionists and
all workingmen are directly or indirectly in
terested, attention is called to the result of
the course adopted by the Assembly, sup
plemented by little investigation;
REPUBLICAN TICKET.
A document declaring to stand by the
record of their party in 1867, which ap-
pointed the special committee above re-
ferred to and accepted its report, has been
received, signed by Messrs. Benjamin e.
gleston, Charles Fleischmann, JOSIAH Kirby,
Peter f. Stryker, William H. Hill, Frank
Kirchner, George W. Williams, Lewis
Voight, Charles &. Davis, Daniel Gano Ray
and Joseph E. Heart. The name of Mr.. l..
NJ. Dayton is not attached.
Hon. Peter r. Stryker has made favora-
bic record OF this very question. as he was
one of the special committee which recum-
mended the adjustment of the contract
system.
DEEocRATIo TIKcET.
The daily papers, in chronicling the NOM
ination of Mr.. Conrad Harris for Senator.
mentioned him as being strong with trades
unionists and molders in particular. The
fact that he is well and not very favorably
known among that class can be learned
from almost any member of Iron Molders'
Union No. 8. He also declines to pledge
himself on the subject of convict labor.
Mr.. Thomas H. johnson signed the pledge
~ IL
clares himself favorable to the desired leg
islation.
Mr.. A. R. Won Martels has signed the
pledge as submitted to him, and in an addi-
tional document declares he is in favor of
labor legislation on other important ques.
tions. His professional patronage being
naturally in sympathy with them, and
tive career to pursue such course as would
popularize: him with working people, there
by henetiting himself pecuniarily by in
creasing the number Of his clients.
Messrs. John J. Sullivan, A. McMicken,
John Hagerty, VIM. Lusby, Jr., and Chas.
N. Danenhour have signed the pledge as
submitted to them.
No replies have been received from
Messrs. Blair, Turpin or Breckenridge.
This statement is submitted to the pub
lie without lengthy comment, so that those
affected directly or indirectly by competi,
tion with the product of convict labor may
of themselves act intelligently on election
day by depositing their ballots for those
whom thev have reason to believe will ap-
ply their earnest efforts to the speedy re-
moval of the evil w. H. FOSTER
Corresponding Secretary.