Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-09-03
THURSDAY ...sEPTEMBER 8, 1891
Tennessee Convict-Labor Troubles
The Tennessee Legislature. which Is now

Tennessee Convict-Labor Troubles
The Tennessee Legislature, which is now
In session, will no doubt withdraw tne con-
yicts from the Briceville coal-helds.
This seems 10 be the demand OF the puo-
Bo. and il but Justice t. the miners who
are thrown ont of work by the employment
IN their places of felons. II the contractors
suffer any loss by this proceeding on the
part OF tho State, no doubt 1t VIII reim-
burse them.
This difficulty may be settled without
sny great trouble. but when the Legisia-
ture attempts 10 fix n general pollcy ann
inc 10 derive revenue from the labor OF the
prisoners il will find itself face to face with
a complex problem. 1t will wish to make
the convicts self-supportlng and vet not
thrust them into competition with homes.
labor. but this is an almost impossible
thing 10 do.
There is q proposition that the State OF
Tennessee shall acquire undeveioped coal
lands and put the convicts TO opening
them and marketing the coal. This Will
hardly be adopted. II is competition IN
another form, aud coal sent out from such
mines would probably be boycotted to
such On extent that the mines could not be
operated with profit. Another project is TO
obtain plans for now penitentiary build
ing. which is said to be much needed. and
compel the conyicts TO do the construc-
ton OF it as far Us they are able. We take
it for granted that few Of them are skilled
I,ft I,a io oA tbay enr1H 60
no other work than that usually performed
by cheap, common laborers, while 1t may DO
doubted II trained artisans could be hired
10 work by their sides.
Turn whichever way it will, the Legisla-
ture will And perplexities, and the only
choice il will have will be in selecting the
least obnoxious course.
Many suggestions are being mads looking
10 the employment of the convicts on tho
county roads. but if the counties are to pay
the State any hire and are TO be compelled
to feed, guard. and clothe the prisoners, the
counties will derive little profit from the
arrangement except where the conviots can
be worked in large gangs. 1t does not pay TO
work them in small gangs. That has been
tried and has invariably failed. The larger
the gang the cheaper per capita the gang
can be worked. If the convicts are fur
nished to the counties free of expense, OF
at nominal charge. then of course the
counties can afford to work them in small
gangs, but the burden Of theii maintenance
will fall upon the State.
After all, perhaps the best solution O
this vexed problem will be found III thu
recognition of the fact that too many mer
are sent to States PRISONS that is to say
that many felons now thus disposed o
could be as well punished and as proftably
employed In the counties or cities WHERE
they are convicted. This idea is receiving
considerable attention in Tennessee ant
other States. The greater the number Of
prisoners sent 10 penitentiarles. the greater
the difficulty in finding upobjectionabl'
employment for them.
No one need wonder that an honest tax
payer, the head of family perhaps. Wit
by the most strenuous exertions is barrel.
able TO keep the wolf from his door, re
volts at any attempt to take away hi
wages and put a convict IN his place. NJ
wonder that he gets angry and sometime
SAYS and does unwise things. He look
upon it as an outrage So would the ave
rage man of spirit tested under tie sam
conditions.
The only course left open for legislativ
bodies is to seek diligently TO discove
such avenues for the employment OF con
vict labor as will cause the least possibl
injury to free labor. These can general
be found or created; if they cannot, the
the burden of supporting the convict
should be made to fall upon the Who'll
body of the people, rather than upon thos
classes whose wages are the smallest an
whose struggles for existence are tn
greatest.