The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-18
7. S. Conover & Co.,
$3.50 West 23d St.
MURPHY FOR SENATOR.
His Messages the school Question ~
Convict Labor while Mayor OF Troy.

Convict Labor while Mayor or Troy.
ALBANY. Dec. 17.-Lewis Z Griffith is the
County Judge OF Rensselaer, county. When a
young man he was private secretary to Ed.
ward Murphy while Mr.. Murphy was Mayor OF
Troy. No doubt he Is the best man in Troy to
speak about the many qualifications Of Mr..
Murphy while Mayor and what he did for tho
city over which he was its executive for eight
years.
1T is ridiculous" said the Judge to The
Sun reporter to- day. "!or the Mugwumrs to
criticize Mr.. Murphy as lacking in business
qualifications. or that he is narrow minded
and possesses no requisites of craftsmanship.
rpon the school,! question and convict labor
Mr. Murphy. as Mayor. sent to the Com m on
Council admirable messages upon these SUBJ
tention. When he was wa, FIRST elected Mayor tho
opposition did everything in its power to Grip
pie his administration.
interest in that subject. Mayor Murphy's
make trouble for the Mayor, and united in
opr"snE the erection O. hiGh school enc. which
every possible educational advantage be-
stowcd upon the youth Of the, city.
MANY thought serious dilemma confront
minstrat!on. and there was no doubt that a
plot existed amo {. his enemies to put him into
h SnS to 9S a n be- %S5
Oppose The establishment Of the high school
hut he didn't, jle took The hull by the horns
and sent to the Common Council IL messags
not only in favor of Il high school but every
othel educational advantaG &c that could be de-
lilo routed with one blow tho plot OF his
enemies to throw him. and made those Of his
own party who believed in Just a little moro
come around 10 lis way of thinGing. Here.
said Judge Griiith Is COPY Of his school
Mn, n nd ~ inns vina thnf a
ward Murphy is not n broad gauge citizen
In the message. among other things Mayor
The general organization Of our schools
and The Character and scope scope OF Instruction
vast maj oritylof our citizens. alt hough the dis
cussions which have arisen ali over our land
concerning, public education and its scope
No steps backward would be more, unpopuisr
or more Improbable than those which would
affect the prosperity and efficiency OF our COM
Remembering what popular ed ucntion has
done for the most unenlightened nations Of
opinG the resources 81 our country. how it
opens the doors OF preierment; in u free coun-
try like ours. to every citizen. ct US reject tho
educated too much. and bear our rart Of the
task Of enliEhteninG the, nation BY contribute
allie school edifices. not SNOWY structures
and the employment of capable, and efficient
whose employment shall be based upon their
competency for the work and neverupon other
grounds. Having thus contributed. let US re,
end Is1s5'!y to the PURPOSE for which Il;
In 1873 Mayor Murphy was called upon to
send e message TO- the Common Council OF
Troy bearing upon the contract convict labor
question. The causes which led to this mos
% Of ns o TSy f k"
burn prison. This firm employed over 600
men. At the time the removal was made there
forests of Troy, which We're looking about for
n chance. to also derive Il benefit from prison
labor. Mayor Murphy saw tho drift OF things
ard sent message to the Common Council
in which he said
The year has been exceptionally oppressive
in a commercial and business point Of view.
NowHSS na ,h the been
mary causes which contributed to bring iiH SO
mach distress upon the working people. not
au y system Of S conVa ator r Witch S has
New York.
oT stntesmnnsip e snund IN nrn Sfpi
q political eeSS22nomy can be cited to sustain
sa ily both disastrous to the commonwealth
and demoralizing To its constituents.
1t is the, manifest duty Of the Legislature to
any cost. for the people cannot afford to con-
lit is our duty to assist in bringing about
calling tho subject to your attention. and
Offering the suggestion that you take such
steps rs In your judgment may be necessary
portance to this municipality. OF adopting
some measure which shall relieve our free
labor o. ths degrading opposition OF criminal