National Republican., 1885-07-09

The decision Of the Secretary Of the
Treasury that convict lobormay be brought
into successful competition with the work
of honest mechanics and laborers on public
buildings and other government works de
mauds more than the passing notice given
It yesterday. Judged by its inevitable
political effects it is not second In inn
poitonce to any act Of the present aimihis-
tratlon. Judged by its effects on the moral
and,physical condition of the wage work
ers Of the country it cannot fail of severe
condemnation.
The statement given to the press Of the
country yesterday, and briefly noticed in
our editorial columns, was to the effect
that bids were recently opened in the Office
of the supervising architect Of the treasury
for stone work on the postollice mt Peorlu,
III. Messrs. Brainerd & Co., of Joliet,
ILL.,, were the lowest bidders. 4 protest
against their being awarded the contract
was, however, flied by Messrs. straub & Co.,
Of Buffalo, the next lowest bidders, on the
ground that Brainerd ~ Co, are contractors
for the labor Of the Illinois state prison,
and would employ convict labor on the
postofllcc. The matter was referred to
Solicitor McCuc, who gave an opinion that
the department should not be expected TO
dictate the means by which contractors per-
foim their work, and that he did not be-
leve the protest valid one. Secretary
Manning sustained the solicitor, and
the contract will be awarded to Brainerd S
Co., unless this decision is set aside by the
President.
There is no law compelling the accept
Gnce of the lowest bid. In every advertise
ment for bids the government reserves the
right to reject any and ull proposals, and
there can be no claim fordamages resulting
from such rejection. 1t is by no means an
uncommon thing to reject the lowest bid,
ard Il is an all-suillcent answer to q com
plant of such rejection If the official in
charge can say that public policy dictates
his decision.
The government has clear right to 20
behind the record and ascertain by what
means the work is to be performed. And
we submit that, in case like this, 1t is the
duty of the government to take cognisance
Of protest on the plain ground of public
policy.
If the interests of the government were
in conflict with the interests of the people
1t might be sound business policy for the
Treasury Department to get public worl;
performed at the lowest possible figures,
regardless of the means employed.
But our government is supposed to be-
long to the peOple-to be their agency for
doing their work under their pay. Theft
Iirthright and capital is honest labor, and
to degrade or defraud labor is the most
grevous wrong that can be inflicted on
them.
The peoples representatives have, at
their demand, passed laws to bar out the
cheap and degraded labor Of Asia AMI to
prevent the importation Of contract labor
from any foreign country. The labor mar
ket Of the United States is overstocked.
Many thousands of honest worldngmon art
idle to-day because they cannot find work
| Under these circumstances we hold that
| 1t is apalpable departure from sound public
| policy, great wrong to the woritingmer
Of the United States, to decide that the
money expended on public works may g
| to do the work at the lowest rates because
they have hired hundreds or thousands o
convicts in state pcnitentiares.
If the administration has made this mis-
take thoughtlessly, or for lack of time tc
give the subject due consideration, there Il
yet an opportunity to reverse the decision
and such reversal would be in every way
| commendable.
But If this is-Gs we suppose 1t must be-
deliberate act-a decision made to stant
and to be cited and followed as prece
dent-it will be the duty Of Congress, at al
early day Of the next session, to pass Law
prohibiting the acceptance of bids based ol
convict labor.
1t may not be possible to protect the in
telligent worEingmen of the country agains
the dcfrauded servilc labor of the south
Iut it is possible to afford ample protection
against the convict labor of the north.
the administration, having full authority t.
do SO under existing laws, will not aGror
this protection, it must be made imperatiy
by mandatory statute.