San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1885-07-09
Convict Labor.
Dallas Mercury.

There is great dissatisfaction thro.
out the state on account of the en-
ployment of convicts outside of the
penitentiary walls, and the conse-
quent competition with honest labor
This question of employment of con-
vict labor is most perplexing one.
The fact that it is a great detriment
to the interests of honest laborers and
private manufacturers, is one that
cannot be removed by any possible
means, whether the convicts are kept
inside the walls or worked outside OF
them. If they are employed within
the walls in manufacturing industries,
the output of their labor is, as mat
ter of course, put on the market in
competition with the products OF hon
est labor. If they are worked outside,
even at the same pay as free laborers,
their labor comes in competition with
that of men who perform the same
work; with the advantage of their
discipline, and perfect subsection to
the control of their managers. Do
what you will, and the fact still ex-
ists-the competition is still effective.
The expense of the support OF con-
victs must be borne by the citizens in
one way or another, either in direct
loss to immediate competitors, or by
general taxation. There is no way
around it, scheme as we will. The
competition is divided, when the con-
victs are employed both within and
without the walls if confined, the
competition is confined to the manu-
featuring interest of the state. The
excessive burden may be lightened,
but cannot be entirely removed, as
long as criminals must be punished
How can we reduce the expense?
LIST. We have too many petty crimes
punished by imprisonment in the
penitentiary. The felony limit is too
low. Many petty crimes could be
Just as effectively punished by con-
fiaement in the county jail, or work
house or farm, and each criminal will
be compelled to earn sufficient for
his own support during that time,
and if possible, a surplus for the
county. I'd. The terms of punish
ment are too long. Shorter terms
would be just as effective, and the
rotation would greatly reduce the
number confined at one time. If the
disgrace of the sentence is considered
as the punishment, short term is eff
ftctive. If reformation is expected,
1t is more likely to be effected by q
short sentence than by long one.
Long-term convicts lose hope of any
future usefulness or happiness their
constant association with hardened
criminals soon reduces them to the
same level; and they are turned loose
on society desperate, without self-re-
spect, without hope of gaining place
among honest men enemies to their
race and dangerous to society. If the
convict is a character dangerous 10
society, he should be kept confined,
and the expense of his support must
be borne in one way or another, in or
der that society may be protected
from his acts.
The proper point to be looked to is,
to reduce the number to the min
imum, look for the most prolific caus-
es of crime, and take steps to remove
them. Crime cannot be cured. but
it is possible to prevent it. Grim
inals already hardened, or such by
vitiated natures, must be kept in con
finement Those likely to become
criminals in consequence of bad asso-
Citations and the acquiring of danger
GUS habits, can be saved. There is
no question about it. II the better
class of people would only cease, to
some extent, their unwearied and
selfish pursuit of gain. and devote a
small part of their time and means to
p!ilanthroric labor, the Ignorant and
vicious classes could be immensely
improved. Many men are driven to
desperation and crime by the selfish
ness and avarice Of men who consider
themselves exemplary citizens HUI
man happiness i held at too low a
vsluation. Too little regard Is had
I for the comfort Of the unfortunate
psople unsble TO cope successfully
/ in the struggle Of life. And. lastly.
1 TO many snarcs areset to tempt 7gc-ik
human nature into crime Tor the
chance 81 gain. No one cause o.!
crime can be compared to the sale Of
intoxicating Equor in it terrible re
suits Staiisties prove that a least
frc-slxtlls - tire criminals are made
sseh ~ whisky. Hese 81 a means 81
settling this F5rl'iazius c1uS.ct qries-
tn m TIE ra1zt i. actlre uav- Texas