The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-03-07
Practical Suggestions.
ELMO.

AS the legislature has not resolved upon
a plan for employing the cOnvictS. 1 do not
think it will do any harm for me to make a
few suggestions. AS the question is sure
to be considered on basis of dollars and
cents. will suggest two industries that
will give the largest profit with the least
outlay of capital. AS they seem to doubt
the ability of prison officials to carry on a
large manufacturing business, they are not
inclined to risk much capital in their con-
troll; so l think that spring beds and uphol-
stored furniture would meet the above re-
quirements. l understand these industries,
and know that the greatest cost in the pro-
duction is that of labor. Men working at
these trades get from So so to 81, 90 day,
and it is all hand work except making the
frames. which is the smallest item. They
are trades that can be learned by convict,
and he is sure OF employment when dis
charged. at good wages; for these trades are
not Overrun.
This institution bought some woven wire
mattresses for the new cell building, which
cost SIS, 90 each. They could have been
made here for One-fOurth that amount; and
the machine for weaving would have cost
but $4,000. For two dollars [ can make
woven wire mattress that sells for six dol
lars. So very few know that the patent
has run out, that they still sell at the old
prices. If we only made them for the
state Institutions, it would be a great say
ing to the state, for they are the cheapest
bed that can be used, even at the present
cost. If the factory i, started while | am
here there will be no need to employ a
I boy hoap nfo
en-wire mattress factory and understand it
thoroughly. l could teach another inmate
so that he could take charge when my time
expired.
These two branches, if properly con-
Quoted, will earn the running expenses of
the prison. and leave surplus to be divided
among the inmates. If you hope to make
the state account plan pay, you must EN-
plOy the men in profitable work and give
them portion Of their earnings.
When l first came here, | spoke to the
Deputy about the woven wire mattress, and
told him that if he would get a machine,
would make them for this prison to take
the place of the canvas bug nests we now
have. He was in favor Of it, but | never
heard any more about it, and l withdrew
my interest in the welfare of this institu-
ton.
AS to the uphOlstering business, it is the
most profitable work we could be put at,
and will give every inmate trade that will
make him independent; for if he cannot Sc
cure employment, he could start repair
shop of his own, as S25, 90 is all the capital
required to start in small way. The la
dies of the w. c. T. L. are willing and
anxious to help discharged prisoners, and
this plan will put it into their power to do
so, by sending him their old chairs and So
fas to make over. All. can see the smile
of JOY light up the faces of these good la
dies, as they ransack the garrets, searching
for old furniture to send to the boys to as
sist them in their struggle to earn an hon
est living. l may say that it affords them
double joy, because it is a pleasure for
them to help the boys. and it is also pleas
ure to have nice furniture. So if you will
teach.the convict the uphOlstering trade. |
can safely guarantee that these ladies will
furnish him employment that will pay bet
ter than crooked WORK. M.
Why Take Offencel