The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-03-07
CONFESSION OF AN APOSTATE.
The Labor Problem--A Comparison

have placed myself on record as being
in favor OF the contract system. l was
sincere at the time i'm so doing as cherished
tie idea that contract could be drafted
giving the state as much control over its
wards as any other system, while at the
same time avoiding the necessity of busi-
ness venture. Lately have become thor
T'Oughly aware that the contract system is an
Unsuitable monster that will yield not
single point to those once within its raven
Gus grasp.
One reason given in support of the old
system is. it gives steady employment.
This is good point, and the only real good
one that can be adduced in it's favor. But
this is more than balanced by perncous
effects in other respects. l have yet to hear
of a single per son who entered this institu-
ton without trade and left master Of one,
if we except three or four second rate
painters and an odd good one. And these
few are indebted more to their own apti-
tude to learn than the facilities afforded
them. In speaking of painting. l may. state
IldU ~ huu TIC Gig I'll lut
late system were the only ones in which
there was possibility of learning anything
that would be remunerative to us upon re-
lease. But we have had no prison made
engineers. and this fact is but another proof
OF the greed OF corporations. In the test
ing room OF the eng inc department is the
place to gain knowledge of this craft. And
who were employed there-convicts? Oh
no; nor citizens. unless they worked for
nothing. In using the word nothing" here
l mean it in its full sense. and not as com
parative. Strange isn't it. that men will
work for nothing-yet there are always
number of applications ahead for positions
in this department. They come from young
men who are anxious to master all engine
and are willing to give their services gratis
for the purpose of so doing without having
to 90 through the fixed routine of such es-
Establishments.
There is nothing in the contract system
that can even appeal to the progressive
spirit of the present age. 1t is the same
thing year after year. The state is always
$40, 900 short by 1t. The workingman is
robbed of his rights as citizen. In the
convict is engendered an anarchical feeling
of revenge caused by the years he has spent
in shaving for a pampered corporation with
out any recOmpenSe in the shape OF cash
or a money producing knowledge. 70 sum
up. this abOmination may we'll be compared
to the deadly effects of Stagnant pool.
whose gases in gaining strength for it.
wither and decay every surrounding object
of beauty and worth, ana spread the foul
germs of mental disease the length and
breadth of our land.
On the other hand we have a system that
must in the natural cou1se of events. be
adopted by every state in the UniOn-if
right is might. With it, it is possible to
fan into refulgence the Pickering spark of
manliness, and turn the tares into wheat.
1t has been tried and found pure. 1t will
not injure wOrkingmen in the ratios as
other systems. 1t has been shown in
former articles in our paper that it can
make as good financial showing as the old
system the first year. 1t will in time lift n
considerable burden from the shoulders of
the tax payers and be a revenue rather than
an expense to the state. 1t is supported by
every newspaper and at least nine -tenths of
the population. A propOrtOnately large
number of the missing tenth has been
elected to the Legislature, as i'll that body
alone is found the greater part of those who
doubt its feasibility, and wonder of wonders
is they cannot or will not give any reason
for this mi.}giving.
Let us hOI however that our w-makerS
have the real interest OF society and the
convict at heart and that they will be gov
erned by the wishes of their constituents as
expressed at the polls and through the
press of the state. In doing this they will
also be aiding the under dog whose interest
should take an important part in this queS-
ton. II crime is ever to be lessened to any
extent it must be done by the judicious ad
miniStratOn OF the best known method of
convict emplOyment-the public account
system. RONDA.
The following gentlemen comprise Presi-
dent Harrison's cabinet:
Secretary of State-James G. Blaine of