Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1886-09-04
CONVICT LABOR.
Southwestern Manufacturers Meet al Chi
cago and Denounce the system--A Ma
tiomal Association Observation-Disclosures
Legislation demanded.

MahufhcIurtrh Meet NJ Uni
eago and Denounce the system-A Ma
tional Association Formed-Prohibitory
Legislation demanded.
CmcAGo, Aug. 27-A number OF prom
inent manufacturers from all over the
country gathered at eleven o'clock yester-
day morning in club-room OF the Grand
Pacific Hotel. The assembly was in re.
Spouse to a call issued last last July by
Mr.. W. T. Lewis prominent
wagon and carriage manufacturer OF
Racine, Wis, Mr., Lewis has for long
time had under consideration the sub
ject of convict labor and its rayages in
the field occupied by honest working.men.
The ojects OF the convention were to con-
slider means OF abolishiug the present sys-
tenn OF convict labor and deysng means
ol employing the prisoners confined in the
penitentarv. The meeting was called to
order at 11:l5 o'clock, with about two
dozen manufacturers present. Mr.. Lewis
was elected chairman and Mr.. Kinney, OF
Wnona, Mimi secretary.
Communicate from wardens OF the
penitentiaries in the various States, in an
swer to n circular asking Tor Information
rs to the employment and condition OF
the conyict|, were read From the
reports it seemed as though the boot
and shoe. wapon-makinp and stocking
manufacturing interests were mostly
interested in the prison.labor oues.
tion. In Florida the convicts are let out
to the contractors for naval Stores In
Tennessee 10000 vehicles are mann
iactured at a rate OF wares ayera ring
thirty-iive cents pcr dav. In Louisiana
the prisoners are employed on the
lie sees. being let out TO contractors.
WHO pay all expenses and relieve the
State of all cost except the apprehension
and conviction OF the convicts. The
| wa 'dens of the various prisons differed in
| their opinions on the subject OF the dam.
| agt done to honest labor by the convict
system but the weight of opinion Seems
| to be expressed by one OF the wardens,
who said, II can conceive OF no branch Of
| labor which is performed by convicts at
wages OF from fifteen to sixty cents per
| day that can not be performed bv honest
| working men and pay them ten times the
| wages"
The chairman said it was impossible for
manufacturers employing free labor to
compete with the contract.convict system.
| At present convlcts are making goods
| equal to those made by honest tradesmen
| for sometimes one.tenth the price. This
| brought about the degradaeion of honest
toll, and honest toilcrs were 10th to learn
a trade that opened no hope to future ad.
vancement.
| The committee on organization, Sc
| lected at the morning session, reported
| after the noon recess and a constitution
| and bylaws were adopted. The orraniza-
tion will be known as the National Anti
| Convict Contract Associations It's object
shall be the thorough investigation OF the
subject of convict labor for the pur.
pose Of discovering and securing the
adoption OF that method Of employing
| prison population in the various States in
manner which shall be least burdensome
| and oppressive to free labor and the man
aiacturing interests OF the country The
annual membership fee was fixed at ten
| dollars for manufacturers and fifty cents
| for laborers and mechanics. Labor organ
| izations can be admitted, and are entit eC
to one delegate on the payment OF fly,
dollars. State organizations will also b,
formed with the same object in view
The election OF officers Tor the organiza
tion resulted as follows: President, W. T
Lewis, Racine, Wis; secretary and treas
urer George S. Redfeld, Chicago; Execu
tive Committee, Charles II. Deere, Moline;
j. W. Hinton, Winona; George Curtis,
| Clinton, Ia; Mr.. Brrky, Grand Rapids
Stephen Bull, Racine; COLONEL. a. sexton
Chicago; J, l., Smyser, Louisville. Eight
vice-presidents were also chosen.
| W C. Nones submitted resolution in
structing the executive committee to in
| qure into the constitutiona'it OF law Ia
be passed by Congress prohibiting the sale
OF goods the product OF convict labor
outside OF the State in which man.
uiactured, and no constitutional Oh,
lections being found, that they be in
structed to procure the passage Of such a
| law by Congress. This was adopted and