The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-08-22
Disposition Of Convict Labor.

Disposition Of Convict Labor.
Among the many subjects which have
appeared for discussion in the columns OF
THE MIRROR, there is none OF more para.
mount importance to us than ''HOw shall
the state utilize the labor of it's cOnvicts?'
have been an interested reader of all that
has been written OH the subject so far. from
the Introductory article of l.. NJ, OH to the
latest from the pen of Observer, and as the
disquisition appears to lag, have concluded
to respond to the general invitation issued
by Observer in closing his last article upon
personal preference alone. would say. lei
the contract system continue. Not that
| am SO very favOrably impressed with its
manifold blessings. but for the reason
than fly to others we know not Of" but the
| fiat has gone forth and the contract system
| is doomed. and it is only waste OF time
| for us to discuss its merits or demerits. AZ
well try to resusctate corpse as to delude
ourselves with the idea that anything we
might urge in it's favor will avail to give
the contract system new lease of life.
In response to the demands of organized
labor made upon both of the great politica
parties of the state. a plank. was inserted
in the platform of each. declaring in favor
of the abolition of convict labor by contract
The last legislature in passing bill to that
effect. simply redeemed one of the promises
| upon which it had been elected, and wheth-
er it acted wisely in so doing, or not, re.
mains to be seen. We should bear in minO
the fact that. although we are most decided.
| ly interested in such legislation, there are
other parties who have an equal. if not q
more direct interest than we have. We
| should also not lose sight of the fact thai
we are a constituency who have no voice in
| the matter whatever; that as such we are
| in no position to dictate or demand, anC
| that therefore the only consideration that
| will be shown us will be on the ground OF
humanity alone. Such being the case we
| simply occupy the position of suppliants.
hoping that in the final disposition of the
matter justice will be awarded lis. Nc
matter what may be said to the contrary,
this is political question, most impor
tant one, and unfortunately we are out OF
politics. 1t has been made political queS-
ton by the wOrkingmen. encouraged by the
politicians of both parties. At this particu-
lar juncture of affairs political, the ''deal
wOrkingman" is recognized as a potent
factor, and the politicians of either party
are vieing with each other as to who shall
do him the most good. In Difference to his
wishes a democratic legislature in Maryland
passes law abOlishlng convict contract
labor, although they have a state prison
which is more than self sustaining under
the contract system, and republican legis-
latureS in New York, Illinois, and Mime
sofa abolish contract labor in their prisons,
not because their prisons are far from being
self sustaining, but because it is demanded
by the wOrkingmen. Verify, the lines OF
the wOrkingmen have fallen into pleasant
places, and they are likely to get every
thing they ask for; thev are more numerous
than the contractors, and admittedly of fal
more Importance than the convict. Let us
hope that they will not ask too much, and
that they will take into consideration the
fact that there are others whose rights in
the premises will have to be conceded, such
as taxpayers for instance, who are very
likely to object to supporting convicts in
idleness. or who may insist that prisons
should be self-suppOrting under state super
vision. Let there be no legislation enacted
that will return as boomerang to plague
the inventor.
1t is not in state legislatures alone that
legislation purporting to be in the interest
of the workingmen is being sought to be
enacted. In the U. S. house of representa-
! tives, Mr.. O'Neil of Missouri. a democrat,