New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-02
HOW TO EMPLOY CONFLICTS.

The popular feeling about the competition OF
convict labor and convict-made products finds
freouent and full expression. The objections to
such connection are obvious, and it is equally
obvious that the sale of prison made goods, when
It depresses the prices of similar goods made by
other labor, really Injuries thousands Of worthy
men. throwing some out of employment and
lowering the wages of others. But 1t Is said
with much good sense by Southern paper that
those who object to the employment OF convcts
after nresent methods can no longer be excused
If thev content themselves with criticism, but
have no practical remedy to offer. When the
various remedies are considered, it begins to be
perceived that the public may easily lose moro
in other ways than it can by the sale OF convict
made products in open market.
II NAV be assumed at the outset that no
civilized State will consent to keep its convicts
in idleness. Apart from the inhumanity of such
imnrisonment and its demoraizing tendency,
civilized people do not feel that 1t Is right that
honest labor should be taxed and burdened IN
order TO support criminals in idleness In some
way. il NAV be assumed civilized State will
endeavor TO make criminals earn enough for
their own support. If it were possible to con-
fine and guard them on farm large enough IN
raise the food they need, with sufficient variety
If shops to turn out the clothes and shoes, and
TO grind the flour and to make the bread, and
perform all the other works for supplying their
own needs. then it might be well to make the
food and other supplies of convicts depend upon
their own industry. But Tor obvious reasons
this is not practicable.
Another suggestion often heard is that the
convictS might be employed in making better
roads, in building leveeS, clearing out navi-
gable channels, and performing other works OF
economic value to the public which would not
be done without them. But in such works
labor must be employed far from structures
suitable for the safe confinement and guarding
of convictS, and in many different places and
in localities so near settled neghborh0odS and
towns that the proximity Of a body of desperate
and dangerous criminals would be exceedingly
objectionable Why should it harm the public
or other IaborerS, if, instead of being thus en-
ploved in work for which convictS are not it,
the criminals should be employed in doing wor,
for the supply of public needs which other cit
liens now have to do. thus setting those other
citizens free to do the work on roads and leyee,
and rivers?
After all, the employment Of convics in shop.
for the manufacture of products Ct general usC
appears to be the most rational and economical
solution. But then arises the question whether
the sale Of prson-made articles can be pre-
vented from depressing the price and affecting
honest labor iniuriOuSly. 1t does not seem i'm
possible to avoid such interference by appro-
pirate legislation. II might be provided fol
instance that articles should be chosen for which
there is an ample market abroad. and that the
prison products should be sold for export only
Or it might be provided by law that they SHOULD
be sold only under such conditions and at sucl
prices that no depression of other product.
should result. When it has once been deter
mined that legislation to this end must be de
vsed, and that this is the only proper solution
of the problem, it will not be found an impos
sible task to CoAtfiye laws to attain the desired