The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-02-20
On Manufacture Of Binding
Irvine.

On Manufacture of Binding
Irvine.
The following bill was introduced by
Mr.. Donnelly on the 7th inst:
A bill for an act to provide for the
Manufacture of Binding Irvine by con-
Wet labor in the State Prison, and
appropriating money therefor.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of
the State of Minnesota.
SEcT1oN1. The state board of pris-
on managers are hereby directed to
purchase one complete machine in
addition to the one now in the state
prison, suitable for the manufacture
of binding Irvine from fax, jute or
hemp, and to cause the same to be
properly placed and set within the
walls of the state prison at Saltwater
in this state, and to make all needful
provision for the accommodation of
such machine within said prison, and
the carrying on of the business of
manufacturing Irvine therein and there
with. Provided that all other things
being equal, the preference shall be
given to American made machinery;
and to machinery that can utilize
fibre plants that can be successfully
raised in the state.
Sec. 2. The said board may pur-
chase, from time to time, at reason
able prices, such raw material as the
prosecution of said work shall require.
They may purchase three 1871 other
machines and place the same, as here
inbefore provided, so as to be in read
mess for use at the termination of the
existing prison labor contracts, in
October, 1891, Or as soon thereafter
as possible. Provided it shall appear
to their satisfaction that Irvine can
be made and furnished by the convict
labor OF the state at prices lower than
the prices at which similar kinds of
Irvine were sold during the year 1890,
in this state.
SEC. 3. If it shall appear, after
reasonable trial and experiment, that
the said Irvine can be manufactured
and furnished to the citizens of the
state at a less price per pound than
the retail prices of the same kinds of
Irvine in the year 1890, it shall then
be the duty Of said board to purchase
such other and additional machines
for such manufacture and to make
such other and needful provisions in
connection Herewith, and to employ
as many of said prisoners as may be
necessary for the manufacture of all
the binding Irvine consumed by the
farmers of this state during the year
one thousand eight hundred and
ninety-two, and annually thereafter
SEC. 4. All Irvine manufactured at
said prison, under the provisions of
this act, shall be sold to the citizens
OF this state, in the order of their re-
spective applications therefor, at the
cost OF the raw material consumed in
the manufacture of the same Pro-
vlded that no person shall be permit
ted to purchase any such Irvine except
Tor his own use, for the binding of his
own grain, raised on land owned or
occupied by him, except where associ-
ations of farmers are formed to enable
one OF their number, acting as their
and In that case no additional charge
shall be made by such agent, as profit
or compensation, but the Irvine shall
be delivered to those he represents at
the price charged by the state to him.
Ii more Irvine is manufactured by the
convict labor of the state than is re-
quired to meet the demands of the
farmers of this state, then the sur
plus shall be sold by the state at the
market price of the same; and, after
deducting thecost of the board of the
prisoners and the price of the raw
material used, together with such
other necessary expense of produc-
ton, as may be incurred, the remain
der of the money received therefor
shall be divided among the prisoners
under such rules and regulations as
the board OF prison managers may
prescribe; SO that one-third of the
same may be sent to the families or
dependents of the prisoners, subject
to their order; and the remainder re-
tanned until the expiration of the
term OF Imprisonment of the convict,
and then given him, from time to time,
so that he shall not be driven by pow
erty to re-enter the walks of crime as
soon as he leaves the prison. In the
case OF prisoners serving a life service,
the whole amount of such earnings
shall be sent, from time to time, to
such persons as they may designate.
Sec. 5. The said board are hereby
authorized to employ a suitable num-
Der of persons, experienced in the
manufacture of Irvine and the use of
the machinery employed therein, as
may be necessary to properly instruct
the said prisoners in such work and
to operate said machinery; and they
are invested with all the powers and
authority necessary to do and per-
form all acts incident to the nrOner