Telegram-herald., 1891-04-13
PRISON CONTRACT LABOR.
Gentleman Argues 1hat ~ is Not lsami-
cat to Free Labor.

PRISON CONThACJ LA oO0.
a Gentieman Argues That it IL Not lsimi-
cat To Free Labor.
The bill before tho State Legislature
10 regulate the employment Of convicts.
opens Up sfresh subject of grave inlt
portance to the people "ln the first
place" said gentleman. last evening.
"the opponents of prison contract labor
do not take broad view of the subject,
but are blinded by the apparent INJURY
of so-called competition OF prison-made
goods and prison labor with free labor.
In the first case the competition OF
prison.made goods is neither Oppressive
nor favored. The first cost OF prison
made goods is so little below that of
outside manufacture as 70 cut no lgure
in a competitive market. The material
certainly costs the prison contractor as
much. II not more. IN view OF the can
tion required IN getting II TO the PRISON
shops, as It costs Tue free manufacturer.
The only item OF expense greater 10 the
free contractor than 10 the prison con-
tractor is the wages. The wages paid
are regulated by law to he such as the
highest bidder for convict labor will
agree TO pay. THIS varies III amount
from fifty 20 eighty cents per day, and
in comparison with free labor is equal
to less than one.tbird of the value OF
the latter. COuvicts do their work by
tasks-that Is 10 say, for 90 cents they do
90 cents worth OF work. All above this
passes to their indiyld ual credit on the
books of the PRISON. Sixty cents worth
of work by q convict IS not worth sixty
cents worth of work by free Iaborer.
because the former rs more waste;ul,
less artistic and has no incentive to ex-
eel. / recall one instance 10 show that
prison labor is not regarded as pront-
able by manufactures. The Jackson
Fire Clay, Sewer Pipe and Tile Com
pany, whose works are adjacent 10 the
Jackson prison, Was requested 10 bid
for the work of the convicts. The
manager, from long observation. knew
whereof he spoke when be replied: 1t
is cheaper for my company 10 [sy free
labor l.50 per day, than TO pay 60 cents
per day for conyicts.' Ii can thus be
seen that convict labor does not effect
competition IN the manner claimed. On
the contrary manufacturers would pre-
fer free labor, because II IS cheaper.
The Fargo Shoe Company is about TO
close It's contract with the prison and
employ free labor, because the latter Is
cheaper for them, owing 10 the indlfier-
ence and wastefulness of the prisoners
and the greater productlveness OF the
| free men,"
Taxation Increased.
"What effect would the adjustment
OF the system have upon the State!"
was asked.
'sIt would increase the taxation. New
York State tired the experiment and
the result was most disastrous. In the
three prisons of the State nearly 5000
convicts we're supported in idleness and
| the taxnaycrs we're called upon 10 pay
the bills. Discontinue the system IN
this State aud the same result would
| follow. As 1t now is. the expense OF
maintaining the prisons is greatly re-
| duced by their earnings. Stop the
earnings. the men must DE guarded, {,
fed ard clothed. just the same
as now, and the free-holder will
he compelled to pay more taxes.
The abolition Of the contract system in
New York had no effect, whatever, on
wages and none on business. except to
| drive the manufacturers into other
states. where they could reach the con-
sumers of their products with less ex-
pense. The competition of PRISON labor
is not a menacing factor when dispas.
sionately considered. II the convicts
were not in prison, they would un-
doubtedly be preyIng upon society or
he active in the several occupations OF
life. They are shut out from both.
Society Is projected on the one hand,
while the labor market is diminished
IN supply by just the number confined
| in prison. Because they work inside
the walls at q low rate of wages. II does
not follow that such work either threat
ems or impalrs the value of free labor.
Sentiment vs. Reason.
"As said before, they are paid for the
quantity of work performed. IL they
get 60 cents for n days work, or for
making q certain number of pieces, the
free laborer is not injured, because the
convict gets no more than his work is
worth and IL be were outide, he would
be a more formidable competitor than
he is on the inside. People too
often indulge in sentiment at the
expense of reason in regard TO prison
labor. The labonng man descries II
because he believes bis rate of wages ID
injured, and yet If every prison N the
country should abolish contract labor,
it would not increase wages in the
least. but IL would increase his tsxes
The number of free men given EN-
ployment on prison contracts Is large.
Their pay is equal 10 or greater thar
that OF other men employed in The
same capacity. am aware that these
views are unpopular. hut nevertheless
they are within the truth and reason
and have no apology 10 offer fo'
them"
Another word. :" ne continued. t'fhs
advocates Of the abolition OF confrata
laisor say that the convicss should b.
used 10 repair highways, etc. This is 9
very seductive plan The principle 4
followed out in Georgia. But II ons
looks at the expeBss attending such {
scheme, IL will he seen THAT II amount
almost 20 eytravagance. Addltsona
guards would he necessary, transporfs
t5oa. food snd clothing. including tools
would swell the co-t wsv beyond rea
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