New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-04
OF CONVICTS.
THE PRISON COMMISSION BILL VETOED.


ALBANY March 3.-G0vernOr Cleveland to-
night transmitted to the Assembly his veto of the bill
continuing the Prison Labor Commission Ho says the
commission appointed TO hold office until March i,
and the btu continuing the commission did not reach him
until late that day The Governor adds: The exam
inatlon was able TO give the question during the few
hours left upon the bill convinced me that the
Limitation Of the termby the words unt the first day OF
March excluded the latter day. and that the Office
expired with the close OF the tgenyninh day OF Febr-
ary am led to this conclusion by the natural import
OF tho words by decision OF the Court OF Appeals cover
Ing Think the exact point by reference to the language
Of other statutes and by the opinions OF oil lawyers with
whom have consulted II this IA correct my APP
proyal OF the bill under consideration would not accom-
psh the result desired and II the commission is 10 be re-
vived Il must be done by other legislation. Ihsve there
fore determined not to approve the measure"
DEFECTS OF THE BILL.
The Governor calls attention to the fact that the bill IL
defective in not providing conduct the proposed
investigation, and in making provision for filling va
cances and that almost the entire scope OF the du
ties required OF the Commissioners and the powers vested
In them had reference to examination concerning the
existing system Of contract convict labor The people
had condemned this system at the polls and by an en-
phatic majority had declared that II should be abolished
The Legislature had the power aud the right II they saw
III, TO make further inquiry by OF the commission
before they complied with the demands Of the people
thus expressed but before the Commissioners well
under way the Legislature almost unanimously passed
bill abolshng the contract labor system. This bill has
received the executive approval and by virtue of such
enactment the yeXed question OF contract convict
labor disposed OF and settled The bill under con-
sidcrslon l. Objectionable because IL continues and re-
cnacs the provisions OF the original act by which the
Commissioners directed TO examine Into the merits OF
the contract system which has been abolished instead OF
requiring them devote all attention the selection
OF substitute therefor Tho powers and duties OF the
Commissioners should be strictly confined 10 such e1aml
tOn as will enable them to report satisfactory and
economical plan to be adopted In lieu Of the abolished
contract system The message then continues AZ foows
Manlfestly this Is all that remains In connection with
the subject and 1t most urgently demands the immediate
and serious attention OF the Legislature. All concede,
believe, that the prisoners should be IN manner EN-
ployed and that they should not De maintained in idle
entirely at the expense Of tho public. Workngmen
and manufacturers who are, or honestly believe them
selves be, injured by contract convict labor have made
their demands in good faith. and their demands have
been complied with by the abolition OF the system %
which they complained Abundant opportunity has been
afforded parties and individuals to gain such partisan
and personal advantage the subject has been supposed
to oer, aud it to that now the interests OF
the taxpayers Of the State should De considered
at WILL think be generally conceded that the substitl
ton Of any pan for the employment OF convict labor
VIII increase taxation aud sacrifice the selsunporug
feature OF our penal Institutions In any event this must
De the result IN the first Of ~ operation. The fact
may well be recalled that little THAN Elk years ago
the people taxed more thaE 100000 tor the main
tenauce Of our prisons. I bound to assume that a
change iu the system determined upon lusify an IN
creased taxation. and while this branch Of the question
should De arly plans should be selected that win be
efficient and ,t increase the least amount te l- rs
Of the taxpayers
HOW TIE INVESTIGATION suOuLD DE MADE.
decidedly OF the opuioa, too, thai if the Com
mlssoners are to be retained by legislation they
should be required to report to tue present legislature
n they relieved from the duty OF examining al the
branches Of inquiry connected with the subject Of con-
tract labor and address the task Of simply
preparing a new plan for adoption in it, stead, their
llbors viii OF be much shortened and made much
easier The number OF investigations which have
already been made will afford them
aid, and the results Of the thorough
examinations lust completed by the Commissioner or
statistics o. LABOR At their command ana informed
that prison contract for the labor OF 40 COnFctS
viii expire on tho a-t day OF TIE present year ana
certainly be derived In advance OF the expiration
OF such contracts to keep these 40 conycts
cpne or the prison As from motives Of economy here
should chance taken OF their continued dleuesS
while another Legislature, great extent new to the
subject, Is settling upon plan FOR their employment
PROMPT ACTION URGED.
ain Justice to the counties having penentiares where
conyict are employed this question should be speedily
counties and make contracts for their custody, based
to great exeut upon the IN which their labor is
10 be utilized have doubt but that the Commissioners
heretofore appointed II the Of their inquiries is
limited simply TO the presentation Of plan for convict
Labor, can readily report 20 this Legislature !
without any extension of IT. session for that purpose
think the Legislature should agree with this ,uD
iecC since the Commissioners allowed only three
weeks 10 report concerning subjects involving an IN
fntely broader ground OF inquiry than now proposed
But I'm any event the Legislature should remain In session
until this important matter Is disposed OF and an end put
10 agitation subject and inasmuch "a IL appears
to De quite certain that any OF the sysem viii IN
vOlvc expense the State the amount or such ex
pcuse should be a3Certaned and the necessary apprO
priaou made therefor Although under the existing laws
the superintendent OF Prisons might have authority to
employ cOuvicts temporarily IN ~ these insttu-
tons TIL. course would ueceitte the expenditure Of
considerable sum money without reaching the refOrma
tories and proecors which not under the control Of
the Superintendent hope that prompt action on the
part " the Legislature viii result in the speedy passage
~ law which, in a sensible and business-lkc way, viii
limit 10 the lowest amount the Increased taxation likely
lo follow from change iu the manner OF employing con
yict labor and when at the same time viii remedy any
abuses of aud defects Ia tue system which has been
bolshed."