The record-union., 1893-10-21
CONVICT LABOR ON PUBLIC
ROADS,


The Marysville Appeal, which compli-
ments the RECoRD-UNIoN by saying that
as a rule it is consistent to a degree that
is aggravating to some of its contempo-
raries, thinks it has US on the hip for
once. This paper pronounced long ago
against the employment of convict labor
on public works outside OF prison
grounds. Recently it renewed the pro-
test in response to a demand by the Co
1usa Sun that conviets be put to work
upon the public highways of the new
type, which highways the RECORD
UNION, our contemporary, the appeal,
is pleased to say 'has been fore
most in advocating" Thereupon the
Placer Herald asked how this paper
could reconcile its claim that it is wise
policy to employ men in prison in pre-
pairing road material and objecting to en-
ploying them out of prison in placing the
material on the roads.
About this time the question came up,
"What shall be done with the tramps
lodged in the county jails this winter?"
The REoORD-UNIoN replied: Put them at
work breaking stone to be disposed of to
the people who will build permanent
good roads. Thereupon the Appeal
jumps upon us with both feet and con-
gratulates itself and the public that for
once it has the RECORD UNION down and
convicted of Inconsistency.
We are pleased that the debate has
taken this shape, because it will serve to
enlighten the public mind upon the often
proposed and unwise policy of employ
ing convict labor upon public works. 1t
makes very little difference whether the
RECORD UNION is consistent or not,
the real question is, SIS it wise to pro-
pose to the Legislature the policy
" which we are assured it will be asked to
adopt?' But as a matter of fact the
RECoRD-UNIoN has not contradicted
itself, and all its views referred to are in
harmony.
The man confined in the County Jail is
not convict. He is there for petty
offense, and should not be allowed to loaf
upon the taxpayers. He should be given
enough to do within the Jail grounds to
earn his bread, both for his own good and
that of society.
County Jails should not be made merely
comfortable winter quarters for tramps
Make confinement there undesirable and
there viii be fewer inmates. So far as the
labor there done is in competition with
free labor, that is simply an unavoidable
condition. But that condition does not
justify its extension into broader fields
1t is to be kept within the bounds of its
genesis.
AS for the State prison convict, infamy
attaches to his condition. He is there for
reformation and for punishment, mainly
for the former. Industry is means to
reformation and in part means of pun
ishment. 1t should be exacted for these
part at least, of the burden of supporting
the felon. But that condition no more
than in the other case justifes extension
Of it to wider fields.
The Appeal says that the RECORD
UNION asserts without authority" that
employment of the convict outside the
=
jobbery and uneconomic procedure. AS
for that we point to the convict pens of
the South, the inhumanity, extravaganza
and wastefulness they have promoted.
We do not seek for authority" how
ever, we hold to our position upon sound
reason. We assert that it is better for the
taxpayer that q free, willing lsborer, who
earns W hat he receives and expends it in
the community, should be employed in
permanent road building, than that the
convict should displace such labor.
We contend that no involuntary labor
ever was or ever will be SO profitable as
free labor. It was not in the South in
slavery days, and never will be so long
as human nature remains what it is. We
assert that the transportation of convicts,
their guarding. their outside support. the
contracting for supplies, the maintenance
of convict camps, and the politics in
volved in the whole scheme would open
the door wide to jobbery, corruption, and
Greater expense than any possible COM
nansating returns from the labor would
justify.
We object to the moral influence of
.nch exhibitions upon the public ways;
a object to bringing the convict into
contact with the outside world as opposed
hast theory and practice Of reforma-