Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-07-16
HoADLY At COLUMBUS.
A Big Meeting at Ohie's Capital TO Dis
cnSs the Convict Labor Question
Eigha Thousand People Present.

CoLUNBUs, July l5.-The most enthusi.
astic meeting OF workingmen and sympa-
thizers with honest labor Columbus has
witnessed in many day turned out last
night to hear Allen .. Myers discuss the
prison system OF convict labor. Fully 5000
people assembled at the east front OF the
State house shortly before O'Clock, and
for fifteen minutes were agreeaoIy enter
tained by an excellent band. which DIS
coursed enliyening strains OF delicious
music. at the conclusion of which Colonel
W. ]. Elliott, of the Sunday Capital, presi'
dent of the meeting, came forward and in
yited the
Officers of the Meeting
10 take seats on the temporary platform
which had been erected on the drive at the
bottom of the steps and facing the Capitol.
udge Hoadly, who had arrived in the
city. was invited 10 the meeting, and while
waiting for him Colonel Elliott stated the
object Of the meeting in ringing speech,
in which he reviewed the iniquities OF the
contract system in a very forcible manner,
and i'm the midst of hearty applause he
read long list OF the srticles made in the
penitentiary in competition with free labor,
and then said:
have reproduced this list to refute the
people that the
Productious of the Penitentiary
do not make q dollar difference in the year
to an honest mechanic on the outside. IL
can be readily seen that these productions
compete with almost every branch OF
skilled labor in the city, cuts down wages
and takes away the profits OF outside man
ufacturing establishments. The contractors
get thei- slaves for half or less than half
- 1ohs IN vnrE
TO the verge of exhaustion, and have no
rents whatever to pay. II needs no ex-
planation 10 show the palsying effect that
this system has upon honest labor
and honest capital alike.
Judge HOadly spoke briefly next. He
said in substance:
"You all understand that if am elected
governor that will execute the laws in
conformity with the resolution which will
now read TO you." Judge Hoadly then
read the resolution No. in the Democratic
State platform on the prison contract sys'
TEN. Il am going to criticise." said the
speaker, the Republican platform, and
shall do it kindly. II is an incongruity.
have often known OF
Different Resolutions
being in conflict, but here We have reso.
luton that faces both ways. he then read
No. 9 of the Republican platform, COM
mending the action of the Republican Leg
islature in appointing commission to in
Quire into the prison Next they 90 on to
recommend the abolition of the entire sys-
TEN. II the contract system is to De abol-
ished, Why inquire into il? do not know
what part of the platform brother Foraker
will stand en-. He is a most excellent gen.
tlemsn, and l hope he will take q
stand on one or the other OF the two
planks. 1 know what the Republicans
will do il they carry the Lsgisla-
ture. Will they abolish it to start with,
and then listen TO the report Of the COM
mission. or what will they do? / came
here not to speak, bat to listen and be
taught l now introduce to you Mr.. Allen
.. Myers, the eloquent young candidate
of the Democratic party in this county for
the Legislature"
Mr. Myers made s speech OF over one
hour, in which he arrsigned the present
system in severe terms. He referred to
his own term in the reform school as
having given him experience, and adyo-
Gated thorough reform in the present
style of conducting our prisons. He was
heartily cbeered at the close.