Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-04-14
Favor FREE LABOR
The Board Of Trade and Furniture
Manufacturers
WILL OPPOSE CONVICT CONTRACTS
For the Making of Fsrnttsrs ~ the
IesiA House Of Cerreosiss-Cemr
n,sttee Appointed 10 Nisit
Lansang ANA Lobby.


There WAS large attendance At the
meeting held by the directors Of the
Board of Trade aud Furniture Mems
Association last evening. The meeting
was called TO taks action on the ball
now pending in the State legislature
providing for the investment of $40 900
In machinery for the furniture depart
ment at the Iona house Of correction.
Several of the Board Of Trade directors
and furniture manufacturers INDUCED
In spirited speech-maklng setting forth
the calsmlties that would result from
the passage of such q measure, and
suggesting the means by'whieh such
legs lation could be hlndered. Mr..
Cogswsli thought there are strong indl-
cations that the bill will pass both
houses and sugges ted that committee
should be appointed to SO to Lansing
and work against il. Mr.. Mahoney
was of the opinion that the element TO
work with at Lansing is the farmer eie-
ment as they favor the bill under .
mlsapprehension. He was glad TO see
the furniture manufacturers taking the
stand they do IN reference TO the bill
and the organization 10 on record as
opposing the bill. Mr.. Cogswell said
while he was at Lansing he noticed
that there was little effort made 10 op-
pose the bill. Some of the men,
bers had received protests from
their constituents and had paid
no attention 10 them. The re-
monstrances have been kept IN
the background. Representative Hay
ward was asked his opinion of the cue
cess of the bill. He said the prospect
is good for its passage unless something
better is suggested for the employment I
of the convicts. The prison cigar con-
tract expires this spring and the con-
victs must have employment. The re-
ply was that the meeting was n Ut called
to suggest employment for the con-
victs, but to oppose the bill now pend
ing before the legislature.
Vigorous Opposition Developed.
Hon. I. d. Gilbert said that when the
subject for site for the Jackson S4.sc
prison was being discussed, an en0r.
was made by some to have the prison
located here, but he opposed it. He
fought it as against free labor, and any,
thing that will compete with our labor
here, 1t is our duty to oppose. No doubt
the State would be the loser by such an
undertaking as this bill proposes.
Hon. c. Z. Belknap opposed the bill
as competing with the furniture man
ufacturing institutions of this city. He
gave an illustration of the effects of
prison products on the price OF other
products. A few years ago the United
States government advertised Tor
prices for furnishing wagons. The COM
panies in this city and the manufacture
ers of other cities put IN their bids at
nearly the same figures, but the Ten
nessee State prison offered to furnish
wagons $40 less than the products OF
free labor and secured the contract. The
solution of tins problem is to establish
the same prices as charged for the pro-
ducts of free labor. Give the prisoner
instruction and teach him a trade. He
will not compete with any business thai
would be felt by any of the trades. Mr..
Sigh said the employment of convicts
would not be profitable for nearly all ase
short-timcrs of 90 days to n year, and a
green hand would not become profit
able TO the State before he would be
released. The majority Of them would
have no interest IN the work and prove
TO I've an expense. Mr.. Beiknap stated
that they have made forks in the
Jackson prison, and have driven the
products of free labor out of the mar
ket, and factories have been compelled
to suspend.
Strong Resolutions Adopted.
Mr.. Cogsweli said when the Senators
were spoken to concerning THE. they
replied: What shall we do with the
convicts" Now, we must agree upon
some plan for work. Mr.. Gilbert made
a motion that the board reiterate It's
former protest 10 forcible language.
Mr.. Fisher-"We must send some-
body down to Lansing with IT. We
must suggest remedy.
A committee, consisting OF Massrs.
Sweet and Belknap, was appointed to
draft resolutions, of which the following
is a copy:
/. We heartily assent TO the PROPOSE
ton that convicts should be employed
iatBt.
.. That IT should be. so far as pos
slble. of such a nature as not TO CON-
pete with free labor IN any of the in-
portant industries of our State.
8. That at certain seasons of the year
convict labor can he properly employed
under suitable regulations upon the
public highways.
4. That the prime object of the con-
finement of convicts 10 the securing of
pubic safety and the reformation of the
criminal. and IN order 10 secure this
end such employment should he given
To the convicts as will best fit them to
become honest ana self-supporting.
5. That machine labor such as con-
templated Is of such a narrow and
limited kind as 10 he of little OF no
value in the direction named would do
hut little toward rendering the ex-con-
Wet self-supporting.
s. That as n money-making scheme
IL impresses Us as at least very ques-
tlonable investment
committee consisting OF hessrs-
Gay. Sweet and Sbaffef was appointed
TO present them 10 the Legislature to-
day.