New-York tribune., 1885-03-14
SATURDAY, MARCH IA 1885
IDLENESS IN PRISONS.
SEEKING WORK FOR STATE CoNvICTs.
DISCUSSING IN THE SENATE THE BILL TO APPRo-
PIRATE 100000.

PIRATE %oOU,VVV'
tFRoM REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.I
ALBANY, March 13.-The Assembly bill ap-
propriating half million dollars to enable the superi
tendent Of State Prisons TO begin manufacturing ION
State account" the only left to keep convcts
from ideness discussed in Senate Committee OF the
whole to-day Mr. Esy opposed the bill In speech In
which he denounced the agitation of politicians ana
demagogues that had brought about the present cona
on OF the State prisons While pretending to be In the
interest OF the aborng 1t had worked an injury 10
them, The only practical system OF prison labor ever
attempted In this State was the contract system Tho
State had tried tho experiment OF manufacturing
on Its own account and tho result was that In
Sing Sing, where 1t manufactured chains IL was
obliged to sell the chains in the market for one cent
pound less than it paid tor the raw material out OF
which they were made.
Mr. Lansing said that he voted against the abolition OF
tho contract system and therefore had none of the re-
sponsbilty for the results that had followed In advo
eating this bill he simply took the law as 1t stands, and
the fact that there 975 men In the State
prisons In dleness Something must DO done to prevent
their moral and physical decay There was person In
this State, he sad who had part In producing TINS
state Of things but this person would before long nave
something to say about It, That person Is the taxpayer
of NewYors. who will find himself saddled with bur-
den OF million two millions year as result OF the
abolition OF the contract system. Meantime, the only
thing for the Legislature to do to take the verdict OF
tho people 1t had been expressed at the bailotbox
and furnish for the superintendent to put tho idle
convcts to work In the only way permitted by the law
as 10 stands.
Mr.. Comstock defended the abolition OF the
contract system. and argued that the only
effect would he to substitute the state Tor the
contractor II contractors could get rich by prison
labor the state could.
Mr. Mccarthy said that the abolition Of the contract
system could not possibly benefit the workingmen for
the competition with honest labor would DO just as
great whether the State manufactured on lts own nc
count hired the contract labor To contractors no
did not think the Legislature would be able TO devise
system that would he any better for the workngmeh OF
for the state as n whole than tho contract systei
The bill has advanced without vote ana Will DC
brought up again. -, ~
Mr. Daggett Introduced bill amending the Corpora
tion law allow any number OF surface railroad
companies less than thirteen, TO form corporation
| for the insurance Of their property.
The Governor sent IN tho reappolntment OF a. .;
Tothof and x. G.. Hadoy for trustees OF the Willard
| ASYLUM, and they confirmed.
The judiciary Committee reported favorably senator
Veddcrs bill requiring sales of stock. etc. to be accom-
panied by actual delivery OF the to the purchaser
OF the sale. such future day AS sha DC
agreed upon ~ writing. ~.
Tho Canal Committee reported favorably inc Boat Boat
mems b introduced by Mr. tOggeshal To regulate lhc
rates for eieyating and storing grain Iho b was re-
ported favOraby before, but was sent Daek 10 c
committee for "a hearing.