Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-12
what shall be Done with the Con-
yictsr
DANvILLE, February 10, 1885,

what shall be Done with the con-
victsT
DANvILE, February 10, 1888.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
IL appears from the proceedings OF the
Legislature that there is difficulty IN dis
posing of the convict question. The
committee. / think, has recommended
the rebuilding of the shoe-factory at a
cost of $3.50 Now, before this Is
done respectfully ask would it not be
better to employ this labor in producing
taxable values in the State, thereby
lessening the present burdens of the tax
payers?
The manufacturing of shoes, tobacco,
and other things in the penitentiary is a
Temporary expedient, md IN no way
looks to the development of the State or
the increase Of her taxable values.
North Carolina within the last six or
eight wears has built several hundred
miles of railways, which have crossed
her mountains and are reaching TO her
sea-coast. She mas thus within the same
period increased her taxable values 50
largely that her people do not feel any
oppression from their now reduced taxa
ton. These lines of railway have been
built bv the labor Of her convicts, and
she is still employing the same labor in
building more railroads, and thereby de-
veloping Der great mineral and other re-
sources.
Georgia has used her convicts largely
in building railroads and developing her
vast deposits Of minerals.
Those States seemed to have long
since walked up to the importance of
self-reliance and are utilizing their re-
sources for the greatest good of their
people.
1t seems to me that it would be a mis-
taken policy in the Legislature to take
$50, 900 of the hard earnings of the peO-
pie 10 rebuild the satisfactory in the
penitentiary in order to employ this
labor to enrich contractors. 1t can in
no way Tighten our burdens in the fu-
ture and is Objectionable because it
brings convict labor in direct competi-
ton with the skilled labor of our honest
mechanics.
We have a section of country in our
State lying between Danville and Brls-
toll and also between Danyille and the
Kentucky line which is undeveloped,
but is probably the richest in iron, coal,
and other minerals in the United States.
That section is also full of the finest
timber Of all kinds known in this coun-
try. Now, suppose the Legislature en-
act law giving to any company that
will undertake to build railroads through
this undeveloped section of country the
use of this convict labor on reasonable
terms. Let the State receive pay forthelr
hire in bonds of the company or in such
other way as will secure the construction
OF the roads. BY this means these roads
can be built by our own people with such
aid as they can secure from outside par
ties.
Let this be done and in five years the
increase of taxable values, not only IN
the railroads themselves, but by the
opening up Of iron and coal-mines and
the establishment of furnaces, factories,
and other plants of various kinds, would
amount to millions of dollars, and in
sure the proportionate lessening of taxa
ton throughout the State.
Not only this, but this development
would immensely increase the demand
for labor and for the products of the
soil, and would bring contentment and
prosperity to the people in place Of the
poverty and distress which are now
driving hundreds Of them annually from
the State.
This plan will also remove convict la
Dor from competition with our skilled
mechanics, and at the same time give
encouragement to labor engaged in agri-
culture by increasing the home demand
for the products of the farm and lessen
ing the taxes of the farmer.
Having worked this labor in building
railroads, know its value and what has
been done with it when little or nothing
could have been done without it.
Virginia must rely chiefly on manu-
features for her future growth, and iron,
coal, and timber, all her great elements
OF strength in this direction. In these
she is the richest of all tue States, and
the use OF this convict labor in building
railroads to utilize these great sources of
wealth will do more to secure their great
benefits to our own people than can be
done in any other way.
In the hands of just and humane men,
who will provide comfortable quarters
and wholesome food with outdoor work,
the convicts are moro healthy and better
satisfied than by any other mode Of en-
ployment
If the Legislature will adopt this policy
and let the shoe, tobacco, and other
prison factories go, they will, in few
years, see an increase in the revenues of
the State sufficient to pay the expenses
of their successors in the future.
Very respectfully,
w. L. SUTHERLIN.