The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-10

regulate as far as possible this subject. The
special session will give time for this and / hope
it will have favorable consideration, and that
this proposition to put off any action for about
BE that the contractors should not be
permitted to work the c~onvicts more
than eight hours a day. A task is now
given these men-the strongest man is only re-
quired to do what the feeblest can do. There is
no call for a constitutional amendment on this
subject, as the Legislature has a right to abol
ish or change the present system. The men
must work, and the only way is TO bring this COM
petition to AS low a stage as possible. Hope, as
a business proposition, this resolution will not
pass.
Mr.. Magee-I don't agree with the senator
from st. Joseph. | believe a party having once
expressed. an opinion In a platform ought
to adhere to it. This question of convict
labor has had the serious consideration
OF governments. In some of the old countries
and In New York advanced steps have been taken
on this question, and steps should be taken, so
that in two or four years hence Indiana should
be prepared to advance in this matter. 1t would
be a great deal better to keep those men by tax
alton than that 1000 or 1900 men should be
out of work because of competition with convict
labor. | believe if one of the punishments was
solitary confinement it would be a deterrent.
Is there any senator who desires to defend the
present system of convict laborl The prisoners
labor cannot be let at a sliding scale. There is a
ring in the northern prison that makes the
lowest possible contracts, and the result has
been to drive out of the cooperage business large
numbers of honest and free laborers. Legisla-
ton should be so wise as to protect all classes of
citizens. | am for the resolution and against
a statutory enactment, because contractors would
be here until they obtained such legislation as
would suit them.
How can we arrive at what is practicable, as
the platform Of the Democratic party requires,
better than to subject this question to the judg-
ment of the people in the form of a constitutional
amendment No interest can be provided with
out affecting some classes, and it should be the
effort Of the Legislature to enact measures for
the general welfare, to the best of its ability.
Nh. Youche-When a proposition is demanded
by all parties in their platform it is well to
scrutinize it carefully. This question has agi-
tated the minds of reformers for many years.
l don't believe in adopting a measure on this
subject by constitutional amendment. Let ex-
periments come first, and after the best system
is found it will be time enough to engraft il in
the organic law. AS this matter is untried,
wouldn't it be better to pass a law embodying
the principles. of the resolution and try the sys-
tenn before fixing it in the Constitution? Other
wise, if put in the Constitution, we would have
c~ast-iron rules from which we could not depart
without great difficulty. The mass of the peo-
pie have as little knowledge of the workings of
the several systems of convict labor as members
of the Legislature. 1t is wrong to have free
labor interfered with by convict labor, but we
should not rush headlong into a system we know
little of.
Mr.. Overstreet-The question as to whether
this resolution should be submitted to the peo-
pie has never been agitated. The legislation
limited at in the party platforms can be enacted
without a constitutional amendment. When
ever any respectable portion of the people desire
any question submitted to the people for a con-
stitutional amendment, l will vote for it. There
is no demand from any quarter that there shall
be an amendment to that instrument on this
question. We are just proposing to dodge the
question.
Mr.. johnson of Tippecanoe-It is in order to
compel the Legislature to take action that l de-
sire a constitutional amendment
Mr.. Observation-Disclosures a bill and see if
your party will stand up to the plank in it's plat
form The planks do not imply a prohibition of
convict labor, but such restrictions as the Legis-
lature might think practicable. We have all
the power we need. Let Democrats introduce a
proper bill and the Republicans will help pass it.
We can now do all we desire; but put this in the
Constitution and our hands are tied. This reso-
luton is putting off four years what ought to be
done before the close of the special session.
Mr.. Johnston of Dearborn demanded the
previous question. The demand was seconded
by the Senate, and under its operation the joint
resolution failed to pass for want of a ~constitu-
tional majority-yeas IL, nays Is.
Mr.. Zimmerman offered a resolution, which was
adopted. providing that the Senate will not vote
extra pay to any officer or employee except for
extra service.
Mr.. Winter offered a resolution Of thanks to
the Lieutenant governor, which was adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Brown, the Senate adjourned
sine die, after a few parting words from the
Lieutenant governor.