New-York tribune., 1880-03-09

writings OF those ancient philosophers. 1t Is
because maxim was taken for grantee
as the basis OF any political science whatever lnc con
clusion OF Professor Rogers Is that no error Is o0
dangerous all cultIre, none could be more iatai W
Europe, than the abandonment Of scholarship the
severance present from what is called the past
but which, in fact only the remoter present But u
study learning one not be merely verbal anao-
mist bat must know what speech means as al
Of intellectual aud social progress No learning Is
worth which does not make men better aoe 10 uo
their duty and more willing also do H. MI Eugene
Smith contributes elaborate and vigorous artcie Oh
Prison Labor" in which he discusses the objects ana
methods OF prison discipline and especially the employ
meut Of cOnvicts under the system OF contract apo'
Mr Smith main taus the necessity OF labor as means
Of reforming the prisoner, and preparing him Io' u
better course OF life upon his release from confinement
The man who works at productive labor for period oil
years can scarcely to acquire the habit OF industry
and n the labor is wisely directed Will probably gain
knowledge OF his work. and certain degree OF skl as an
artisan TIE consciousness his in this respect
may sustain his hopes and stimulate his better purposes
IN regard to obtaining an honest livelihood Inc
prisoners interest should he enlisted In his WORK; he
must be made feel that 1t Is not degradation; he
mus; ACQUIRE taste labor we'll the habits of
labor Labor should offered to him the reward O
good conduct and the deprivation OF II inflicted on MN
as a punishment. Mr. Smith discusses the question q"
allowing the prisoner portion OF his earnings. and
IS
may prove effective means OF reform He SHOULD Dr
taught hat steady Industry 6riugs substantial rewards
and thus acquire not only the habit OF work, but the
habit of earning money by work. But while enforcing
the necessity of a regular system of prison industry
Mr.. Smith comedies that the present administration
OF convict labor In this country Is attended with
grave abuses The mos aggravated abuse Is the
prevailing practice OF letting out prison labor
by contract 70 the highest bidder. The prlct-
cal aud moral objections to this system are
forth by the writer with great carnestness ana force
Umdrr This system. the prisons IN the United States
wthfew exceptions. show enormous deficit OF earn
ings as compared with the expenditures This comes.
I'm great measure from the fact that the price paih 10
the State for ITS prisoners does not average
more than one-half its actual value The difference is
a subsidy paid Ia the contractor from the nhc treas
ury and represents loss 10 the State which must be
made good by taxation But the injustice TO The public
arising from the 81 stem Of far exceeded by
the wrong IL ncts upon the free ab0rer. II the pro
dncts Of convict labor placed npon the market IN
fair competition with free labor there would he no Just
ground OF paint Bui this is not the case 1he con
tractor holds the commodities OF prison manufacture at
a him far less Than the cost OF production and ac-
cOrdingy sell them at less price and still realize
handsome profit The actual result of the present policy
is enrich the contractor and crush free labor at the
cx nense of the State The conclusions which Mt Smith
enforces as the inevitable consequence OF his statc
ments are that prison labor must he maintained ana
that rhe prevailing contract system should be abolished
This system he maintains destinet to fail win the
advance OF civilization, OF more enlightened principles OF
political economy; but the process should oe gradual
and tentative; every slep forward should be taken
with canton and guided by experience; and when the
change shall have been completed. 1t VIII be with no
shock to the industries OF the PRISON Of The outer
world The remaining contents Of TINS number include
Thomas Aqunas and the Encycca Letter." by Pro-
fessor Archibald Alexander The Theory and Practice
OF Elections" by Professor W. &. sumner Poetry Va.
AgnostcisIn" by Principal Sharp and The Religious
Aspects OF the Lo1ic of Chance and Probability by
PrOfes sOr A. p. Peabody.