The record-union., 1893-04-22
THE cHAIN-eANG-A SUGGESTION


For reasons not in all respects backed,
IN our opinion, by sense. the authorities
of the county and of the city abol-
ished the chaip-gang. If it was done for
economical reasons, it was doubtful say
ing in view of the moral effects; if for
sentimental reasons, it was stupid and
sickly policy.
We understand that both reasons oper-
ated to influence the authorities, and a
prominent one given is that the gang
was in opposition to free labor. The re-
suit is that free labor is to-day supporting
the gang in idleness-for it is settled that
every idle man is supported by an indus
trious one.
That is not all. The hobos now laugh
at the police authorities and defy them.
They openly say I'VE are fixed all right
now; when the grass is short outside we
viii go into the jug, and the people must
support u.s." That is precisely what the
truck-load of men taken in by the
police the other day chaffed the officers
with.
Two propositions all the world is agreed
upon-that labor for such as fill chain
gangs should always be unpleasant, OBJ
noxious, offensive. 1t should be of a
character to induce the man to free him
self from it. The reasons are obvious-to
state one is sufficient. If involuntary
labor is made agreeable, its subject will
be likely to become permanently pauper-
lied. England demonstrated that with
her Poor Laws long ago.
No man should be put 10 involuntary
labor on the highway except he is a
criminal. The unfortunate man who
unhappily gets into limbo because he can
not find work should be discharged. But
who can advance single good reason
why the willful vagrant should not be
taught the meaning of self-support?
However, the chain-gang has been
broken up and one of the reasons is that
someone thinks it cost too much. No
doubt it did, viewed merely from a dol
lars and cents standpoint. 1t was an ex-
pensive affair because so many officers
were required to guard it. But suppose
it materially decreased the number OF
Migrants, and largely tended to keen
men out of the lookup? Might not there
have been found much compensation for
maintaining the gang?
But the loafers in Jail must not be en-
couraged to live in idleness; it is the
worst possible use to which man can he
put-idleness. Let our economical Mayor
figure on the scheme of making the iail-
birds pay for their keep" as the say
ing goes. One officer at 500 month.
armed with gun and courage, can SUI
perintend fifty men corralled in a iail-
yard and engaged in breaking stone fol
use in matchmaking our streets. Such
prepared stone can be sold to the people
at low figure and still the proceeds be
made large enough to cover the cost O
working the hobos, and making prison.
life distasteful to them. The thing i.
practicable; it was in operation in thi:
city some years ago, but at a time wher
we were not improving streets so extern
sively as to-day.
Certainly the loafers in prison under
conviction ought TO be made to earn theil
salt and small profit for the city besides
Here is an opportunity for the authori.
ties to kill three birds with one stone
discourage jail-loafing, provide macadam
material cheaply to the people and make
the prison drunkards, the willful va
grants and the petty offenders foot the
cost of the work and pay for their boarC
and lodging.