Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-10-16
From the Nashville American.l
BIatue on Convict Labor.

In 1853 resolution passed the Mime
Legislature and was approved by the Gov
ernor authorizing the Governor To APP
point some suitable persons 10 examine into
the system OF disbursements, labor, and
discipline In the Maine State prison, and to
compare the same with that OF the prisons
In Other States. in order 10 determine whe-
ther there may not, with advantage, be
some change effected so as Il render toe
prison self-supporting. and, il possible. a
source OF revenue 10 the State Treasury
The resolve also provided for access TO all
books and papers in the hands OF State Of
fcials which might be needed by the com
missioner. Lot VI. Morrill, was Governor,
and appointed James g. Blaine rs the com
missionei. Mr.. Blaine made a most elabo-
rate report.
Under the heading Of :" Labor" Mr..
Blaine says:
"Tbrce systems OF labor have been tried
in the prisons Of the different States oil the
Union. First. working the conycts on ac-
count OF the State. the state supplying raw
material, and undertaking, through it,
agents. the sale Of the manufactured arti-
Giles. Second, leasing the prison in all its
departments 10 some person or persons Tor
n specified annual sum. the lessees having
tue SOLE tOUlIOl VI lbf ul-flHlttif VI thT
cOnyic's under certain stipulated rules. and
the entire disposition OF their labor. Third.
hiring the labor OF the cOnyicts 10 con-
tractors at so much per day, the State re-
serving to Itself the control. management.
and general discipline Of the prison.
1.-The first OF these systems is the one 40
long and so unsuccessiuIly tried in this
State. Ii has always and everywhere re-
suited in pecuniary failure.
1.-THE second system has been tried in
many Of the southern and western States,
and generally with very unsatisfactory re-
suits.
THE third system is the one which
seems to combine all the advantages at
tainable in the management OF prison.
The State retains in its own hands the
discipline and government Of the conyicls,
and dlspOses Of their labor for a fixed
and definite sum. leaving 10 the con-
tractor the care OF supplying the
material and selling the manufactures.
One marked advantage in tins mode
OF labor II the certainty and eXactDess with
which the income Of the PRISON may be cal
culated in advance, and the expenses
gagged and governed accordingly. The
system has the advantage OF being practical
and simple in its operations, and the eXpe-
rience Of many years on the part OF those
best enabled TO Judge Is 50 unquestiOnably
and unreseryedy IN it, favor that it may BE-
regarded rs fully and finally established.
In every prison that has attained financial
success this system has been rigidly all
bered 20, and recommend that 1t be made
the permanent rule OF labor in the Maine
prison though not at such prices rs are spe-
Gifted in the existing contracts. ju-
dicious and useful application OF this
system Of labor might be made
IN our county iails. They could all be
made houses Of correction, and by the in
duStTy OK those committed TO them a GER
tain portion OF the expense now deyoving
on the counties might be repaid. The effect
on the prisoners would be beneficent, as il
would relieve them from their dreary and
demoraiZing idlcnesS, and tend - the
formation 81 industrious and thrifty habits.
This feature has been introduced into the
jailS OF some other States, and the tesli-
mony rs TO the good effects resulting from
il is strong and uniform. 1t is not strictly
in the line Of my duty TO make suggestions
on this point, but | cannot lose the oppor-
tuniiy Of commenting the subject to the
most favorable consideration Of those who
are intrustcd with the government OF our
county iails.'
Mr.. Blaine then submitted a collection Oi
figures TO prove that 1t would require but
Sl05.30 per year TO keep a convict, With
that rs a basis he reached the conclusion
that the Maine cOnvicts might be hired out
in competition with honest labor at the rate
OF forty cents day per convict.