The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-04

'ssion was fully contaminated, but measures
locking 10 the abolition OF this system were
introduced by Senators Johnson, OF Tippe
canoe, and Bailey OF Marion; also bill for
its regulation by Campbell, OF 81. Joseph.
The subject is one OF many difficulties, the
solution OF which has been enthusiastically
attempted by several other States AL con
cede that the contract system Is not only
unfair and ruinous to tree labor. bat alike
demoralizing TO the proper reform and disci-
pline OF the convict-certainly ono OF toe
prime purposes OF our prison system. WHAT
shall be substituted, so as 10 retain the
self supporting feature OF thu present plan
Is the serious problem. It's solution In
practical and feasible form will be anxlously
awaited. II must come, and,' thu Crisis IL
led TO believe, soon. With the friends We
have, and those We may gain In two years
among the members OF the next General A.
sembly, can We not expect this reform thsn2
8. The prohibition OF child labor wa
thing Anxiously looked for, and In this Va
have been measurAbly gratIaed Senator
Bailsv's bill on this subject, rs originally ia
troduoed, prohibited children under fourteen
years from working Ia mines, factories and
workshops. This gentleman madea long and
earnest fight ably assisted by several of his
colleagues, bat finally the age wa, reduced
20 twelve. aud. with nome Amendments made
in the House the measure became law.
4. A bill introduced By Senator Wiar,
compelling the payment OF wages In lswful
currency every thirty days, and giving me-
chanics and laborers fret lien upon pr 10
erty for work done thereon, was passed with
very little opposition by both branches and
IL now law. The business of this thing can
lily be disputed. Senator Bailey bad iniro-
duced bill largely modelled after tho struck
law" or Pennsylvania, but considering the
one above referred to as more stringent upon
the employer. and accordingly more llbsral
TO tho employe, he abandoned his own and
warmly advocated the passage Of the one I'm.
troduced by Senator Wier. House bill 33s,
on tho same general subject but more par
iicularly referring 10 the payment OF wages
in scrip, was important aud passed the
House by large vote, but failing to reac
the Senate until few days before adjourn
ment, was lost in tho hurry OF business and
did not become law.
5. The promise regarding the enforcement
OF laws against pGuper importation under
The "pssssgo contract system, was fully
redeemed in the bill introduced by Sena' or
Bailey, No. 3l5. It's provisions arc, In the
main, the same as thoae embraced in the
bill introduced IN Congress, applicable, OF
course, TO the Slate OF Indiana, and abs u 1tsly
prohibit, under pain CT heavy penalty, the
Importation Of aliens who are brought here
under contract, 70 perform certain labor and
not FOR the purposs Of permanent residence
the sole effect being TO reduce wages here aud
deterioraie the character OF our home In.
dustres. The spirit and purpose OF this law
for u passed the Senate without dissent.
ing vote and with but six in the House, has
been sigued by the Governor, and Ia now q
part OF our statutes-fnds an echo in the
heart OF every son OF toll throughout our
borderB.