The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-09-01

Convict Contract Labor.
The Ohio Democratic platform con-
tains the following:
Resolved, That the abuse Of the present
contract system in our State Prison by
which the products of criminal labor
are brought into competition with the
injury of the latter, Is vicious and un-
wise, and should be corrected.
The Cleveland Leader, in a recent
article. reflects the sentiment Of the
Republican party rs follows:
1.-The condemnation Of the contract
system in our State Prison by the Ohio
Democratic platform, is contempti-
BILE bit Of demagoguery, n petty attempt
to capture the votes of q few manufac-
turers. The system Of convict labor is
not only profitable to the State, but
humane to the prisoners. It pays the
expenses of the psnitentiary, and also
gives the cenvicts occupation. Moth.
ing could be worse for them than en-
forced idleness in their cells. Nothing
could be better than labor, which en-
plovs both mind and body. Do the
Democrats want the State to keep
these prisoners idle, thus demOralizing
them, and tax the people for their sup
port? The proposition is ridiculous
one. 1t is the duty Of the State to look
sut for its own interests. and Keep
down taxation, and in no way can
ho Ann0 fnr fhia mn than nv
employing cOnvicts in profitable IN.
dustry. The only change which should
be made in the contract system should
be to make sure that the State as well
as the contractor gets Its proper share
of the profits"
1t will thus be seen that upon this
important question to the manufac-
turers and mechanics Of Ohio the issue
is fairly and squarely made up.
This subject has been somewhat dis
cussed in the Legislature for several
years past. In 1873, during the labor
troubles, . committee was appointed,
three Republicans and two Democrats,
the Chairman Of which was Hon. John
Fehrenbatch, of Cleveland, now Gov
ernment Inspector of Steamboats, at
Cincinnati, to investigate the matter.
They examined many witnesses from
all sections of the State, and in 1877.
laid before the House an able report in
which they clearly set forth the evils of
the contract system, from which we
make the following extract and COM
mend it to the careful perusal aud can
II: = ~ rooAaro
'.As to the effect of the contract sys-
tenn upon our manufacturing interests,
we need but refer you to the testimony
in various parts of the State, not one
of whom favored the system, but were
nearly unanimous in their opposition
to a continuation of 1t. Their opposi-
ton to this system, in many insta noes
was so decided and unequivocal that
political parties must speak out against
this system with nc. uncertain sound II
they wish the influence and support OF
this very useful and influential portion
of our people. We do not wonder at
the feeling of opposition manifested
toward the contract system by our
manufacturers, when it ID the cause of
crippling their business, throwing
many Of their work. men out Of employ
ment. and greatly reducing the wages
of those remaining. The evidence
shows that outside manufacturers have
been driven into bankruptcy, some
compelled to make assignments, while
others are enabled to keep their shops
running only by paying their work
men wages little, il any, better than
those paid the State by contractors of
prison labor.
Again, we find that manufacturers
have, in many instances, been driven
to the discharge of their workmen. and
closing their shops outside and taking
contracts in penitentiaries and work
houses, because they were unable to
compete with contract convict labor.
Take, for example, the case of Miles
Greenwood, a6 Cincinnati, who car
ried on a very krge manufacturing es-
tablishment in that city, employing
large number of mechanics, and dis
tributing annually many thousands of
dollars, which added wealth and pros
perity to the city. Through the ruin
Gus competition brought about by
prison contractors, the large foundry
Of Greenwood, empty as it stands to.
day, lis unimpeachable evidence against
the contract system. Greenwood was
one of the original contractors of labor
at the Cincinnati workhouse, but is
utterly opposed to thssystem of letting
the labor Of prisoners to contractors.
When asked why he closed his shops
at Cincinnati and took q contract at
the workhouse, he replied, II took the
contract in self-defense. Mr.. 8. A.
Haynes testified that the company of
which he was y member, employed in
the neighbOrhood of one thousand
men that it was an utter impossibility
for them to continue the struggle
an v,cff n v,,sv r>oftfinvn plcoA
by the employment Of convict labor
and, when asked whether he favored
or opposed the contract system, he re-
piled, II am opposed to the system
but it has become question with me
whether I shall continue as have, or
pocket my principles, sell out my bus
iness, go into New jersey and take .
contract in the penitentiary." Again,
Mr.. L. p. Brown, of Cleveland, who
has $72, 600 invested in his business,
and employs, on an average, eighty
men, in the manufacture Of names,
was compelled to make an assignment
and close up his shops. ri
From the testimony taken, your
committee is decidedly of the opinion
that the system which enables the
prison contractor to 60 into the market
and undersell all other manufacturers,
was the principal cause of forcing Mr.
Brown into making an assignment.
He, however. resumed operations again
and, unless some change takes place in
our prison management, will be forced
into q final closing out. There are
mady others of which your committee
cyuld speak, but think it unnecessary,
as the testimony accompanying this
report will suffice to show that the
time has come when . change is
urgently demanded"
Terrific Hurricane.
Savannah, Ga, was visited by ter
rife hurricane on Saturday evening
last. In few minutes the city was in
darkness, and parks, streets and squares
were rendered impassable by falling
trees and houses. One hundred stores,