Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-05

norm was.
Colonization Of Alaska ny Convlcfs-
Few Suggestions.
To the Editor of the Dispatch.
A few weeks ago ] suggested the
colonization Of Alaska by convicts as
the true solution of the vexed question
Of convict labor. | beg now to suggest
few more reasons entirely outside Of
the natural and geographical adaptation
Of Alaska to such purpose. The Knot
tincss Of the subject Of convict labor is
evidenced by the continued discussion
Of it for nearly century in Europe
and in this country. 1t has been ham
died by the ablest political economists,
by the greatest statesmen, by the
craftiest politicians, and in this country
by hordes Of the greediest oilice-seekers
the world ever saw, without arriving at
any practical settlement of the question
or formulating any plan by which con-
vict labor might be utilized with justice
and fairness to the honest labor Of the
land. But, coming to the subject,
we all know "that nature abhors a
Vacuum" and that "there is no void in
nature" and nature, while bountiful,
is not wasteful; but the solid and
frozen fact stares us in the face
that Aslaska, the peerless gem Of
the northern ocean-this Cuba, as
it were, Of the frigid zone--is a
void on the surface Of the continent
a void, too, aching for Development at
the hands of this Government which
has done less for it than has Russia.
Nature very truly abhors void, and
she, as lavish as she is of her gifts,
never lifted out of the sea this land Of
the aurora borealis, and supplied it
with the grandest Of forests, the largest
of rivers, and then richly impregnated
it with all the valuable ores, not except
ing gold and silver, and then surround
ed it with impossible barriers Of ice
and snow, without some wise purpose
in view for the benefit of mankind. 1t
was not made simply "to hold the
earth together" The most unscien-
tific will also agree that it is almost'too
far north for such purpose. Well,
for what was it then created? | argue,
from the eternal fitness Of things, for the
colonization of convicts. Why, Mr..
Editor, leaving entirely out Of the ar
gument the interference of convict labor
with the honest labor Of the land and
the consequential degradation and star
walton of the honest laborer, the colo
nization scheme would rid society Of
the pernicious and evil influence Of the
criminal classes after they had served
out their criminal sentences. Every
one knows that the public really sui-
fers more from the influence of the
criminals cffer their sojourn in the
penitentiaries than from their first acts
of lawlessness and crime. a convict
often made such by mere accidents of
the sorest temptation, or, as has often
happened, been innOcently convicted
comes out of prison, from mere asso-
citation with hardened criminals, - fin
ished " in all the arts and wileS that go
to make the consummate villain, and
in this 1" finished " condition is dumped
into the very vortex of society with
increased powers for evil. Now, under
my new scheme this expatriation, or
rather Punishment, would rid us Of this
posthumous influence to which we
are now subjected. Again, as liber-
ated convict who has eXpiated his
crime before God and man, he should be
as pure as snow; yet he is a tabOoed
outcast. Society-Christian society
turns its back upon him and spits upon
him; every avenue Of business IS
closed to him he is not allowed to do
even the most mental labor. No mat
ter how willing he may be to earn a
living by honest toll, he is debarred
from so doing. Recently in a large
stove establishment not 500 miles from
Richmond the operatives in the same
quit their work because it was ascer-
tanned that one of their fellow-wOrk-
men was a discharged convict. 1t was
further ascertained that the said convict.
with a contrite heart and inspired with
the best intentions, the better to hide
his shame, had put thousand miles
between himself and the scene Of his
disgrace; but Notwithstanding his
good intentions a relentless fate pur-
sued him, and right here at the very
threshold Of the commencement OF a
new life he was met with the fearful
boycott" of powerful labor organl-
cation. Now, who will be so bold as
to censure these honest workmen: But
where is the remedy for this poor out
cast, who would, if he could, now lead
an honorable life? For a crime which
he has expiated in prison, and for which
he has received the forgiveness of his
Creator as well, he has placed himself
in such position as to debar himself
from making living at all by the in
exorable and unwIitten law Of society.
To such one, dcspised and scorned Of
all men, forced by public opinion from
his home where his crime is known,
Alaska would indeed be an asylum.
In Justice and fairness to the working
classes, and in humanity to the de.
spised and relentlessly pursued con-
Wet, we urge for him home in this
boundless region of the North. where
his presence and usefulness will be a
menace to none, but a benefit to him.
self and his Government. D.
Virginia, as we have heretofore stated,
has no jurisdiction over Alaska. She
cannot send thither her convicts. TIC
Russia belongs Siberia, and to Great
Britain belongs New South Wales
Therefore, Great Britain and Russia
send to Siberia and New South Vale:
their convicts. But Virginia has nc
penal colony, aud can have none. The
United States Government might make
a penal colony of Alaska. Virginia can
not.
AS we had declined to publish lis
of the persons who last year paid OF
offered to pay their taxes in coupons
weapprove Of course ofthe refusal Of thu