New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-24
said Governor Ill., 4f you abolish the shirt and cuff

said Governor Hill. at" you abolish the shirt and cuff
Industry n
II would have them break stone for road I'M
provements,' replied Mr.. Roche, and In that way
would aid the farmers who are so desirous OF haVns
better roads in this State
There certainly Is greater diversity of labor In
the State prisons than ever before" said the Gov
ernor "at Auburn, for instance they nave fourteen
Industries"
But there isn't that diversity at Clinton, insisted
Mr.. Roche and that is why we complain
The Governor now thought II best to read speech
which he had prepared. Below is. in part, bis IN
genuous statement. After reviewing the history OF
contract llbor in the State and mentioning his own
recommendations to the Legislature the subject, he
came to the bill passed at the extra session of 1883
An extra necessarily called In that summer
and bill was passed which substantially prohibited all
convict or except the making Of articles to be used
by the State itself in its various institutions per-
mItted the measure become law, at the same time
stating in a memorandum which filed that 1t was a
temporary expeden and woui not prove feasible
or satisfactory the taxpayers Then the reaction in
public sentiment came because the prisoners were
In dleness and the prisons ceased 10 be sefsuppot
Ing. Then followed Fasset (socslled) Prison bill OF
1880 which repealed the Yates law Of 1888 ana only
partially regulated the employment OF convict labor
approved because 1t seemed TO the best that
obtanable from Legislature at the time but the
bill was far from satisfactory
The act OF 1889 adequate to solve the prison
problem 1t partially protected some industries ana
others subject TO competition and among those lef
unprotected is the collar and shirt industry Last winter
the Assembly promptly the pullc demand for some
relief and passed bill for the protection OF this IN
dustry but the Senate refused its concurrence.
Now it seems that the competition in the Clinton Prison
bears heavily upon industry and relief desired
In the place, it is clear that the Legislature itself
determined the question and its failure to do
its duty is the cause OF all the difficulty The Superin
tendent Of State is bound by the existing law to
keep the convlcts employed at some labor He cannot
escape that duty. lie does not make the laws When
he selects certain trade in which to employ convicts
there must necessarily be more or competition which
must arise In that trade. That IS unavoidable He
should avoid unnecessary competition or course each
trade naturally desires protect itself inc trades shou
Inc diversified as much as consistent with making the
prisoners reasonably selfsupportng The superintendent
is all the time between hres-the taxpayers on the
one hand who insist that the prisoners shaI DE sesup
porting and upon other hand the worihgncn VINO OBJ
cc. 70 any competition whatever. He should pursue
conservative course This 1 am he Intends 10 do
am oppoed to OF the contract labor system
in the state prisons do wish to have repeated mere
the scenes and difficulties which being eXpeenceu I'D
Tennessee to-day 1t is safe that the ola contract
system will not be revived. The people insist however
that the prisoners shall be kept in idleness Ia
fact has been demonstrated and over again. 1t Is
foolish and unwise not to recognize It.
have no power in the premises. can simply sug-
ppst and advise The Superintendent OF State Prisons Is
supreme I'm his department the any other depart
ment OF State Government The Governor mas no
power to any order make any direction IN inc
premises. exert his influence and that Is ALL
will refer the subject together with the papers and argu
ments which you presented to the superintendent
The delegation then retreated to Troy not looking
happy. Perhaps some of them will vote the Repub-
lican ticket this fall.