The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-01

Labelling Of Conyict-haec Goods.
TO the Editor oil The Times:
sir.-The bin now pending before the
Legislature iu reference 10 the labelling
OF cOnyict-maqe goOas, deals with an
important public quesuop-one deserving
OF the attention of ala classes OF ciu-
zeus.
The tendency OF legislation throughout
the country az lhc present time Is To-
ward either the abolition OF the system
i'm toto. or else the employment OF
means whereby the general public may
be protected from purchasing such goods
I'm Ignorance OF their origin, 1ne means
devised consist ina compelling the use or
A label or impression on an articles manu-
featured in penal institutions
These laws can be dividet generally
into two classes-First, where goals made
in other states (by convicts) arc obliged
TO bear a label when placed on sale In
a given state. and. second, where all
articles of prison make. whether lhrprt-
ed or otherwise require label
Some states make no provision MhC-
ever for labelling, and the result Is th'-
they become the dumping-sroHnd oil con-
Wet products from all parts OF the codh-
try. - .
II is not the purpose II the writer 10
enter into a discussion 0eailnS WIN wv
results. advantageous or otherwise alla-
Ing from abolition Of the entire convict
labor system. but to touch On thai SUI
ject merely AS it bears on the imineuid'e
question Of labelling convict-made goods.
Inc broad principle involved in the
bill now, before the Commonwealth Is
the protection it Affords the
citizen from ienofantly buying
articles against the use Of which
he may be inclined. No doubt some
would be attracted by the low prices
charged for such goods but We have no
hesitancy in asserting mat many now use
these products unwitnngly. Here Hes
the secret of the opposition 20 the meas
ure THE champions OF the convict
labor iahening bin demand that convict
goods shall Doe sold on their merits. Is
the request net q reasonable one? sure
ly tine advocates of prison lauor cannot
shrink from open competition!
The most important item or the biil
now before us is uuquestionably that
which calls for the marking or prison
products imported from otner States
before they can be exposed for sale here.
This section brings nearer TO az realiza-
ton of the widespread evil bred by the
system which forces free labor TO COM
note with that of convicts NJ. one
can doubt this after noting the results
naturally evolved by the enforced con-
dition.
The superficial observer sees but two
things-a cheap line OF goods, ana a
theoretical reduction OF the tax-rate.
Without closer study. ihe conclusion IS
reached that these facts CD constitute I'M
answerable arguments in favor Of the
contract c0nyict-iabor system. lie neg
Ia q.
of these apparent advantages.
Business is conducted for the purpose
Of earning pr0ht-a result that can only
DE- reached hy keeping prices az nearly
as possible I'm line with those maintaining
I'm the markets. This is competition.
II certain manufacturers are enabled
TO obtain labor by special legislation at
figures our OF question IN the open mar
kets then the tendency or an wages
will be towards the amount paid by this
chosen class. This necessarily follows
when We admit that competition COM
pels an equality OF prices.
How will the general manufacturer
meet the low prices OF his favored COM
petition BY lowering the cost Of pro
ducuon-a result made possible only by
reducing wages.
Wages win not 90 down 10 the level
Of prison prices. by reason Of the IN
ability of these institutions 70 meet the
entire demand Of the market but they
will decline to some neutrality-suspicious.
ately. in fact with the number Of con-
victs competing with free labor. Let IL
be remembered that I'm the present case
We do not deal merely with the prison.
ers at the Virginia penitentiary. but the
many thousands throughout the United
States whose work comes here and is
sold.
The general reduction Of wages limits
the purchasing power OF labor and gen
eral trade suffers i'm consequence. The
eventual result IS a depreciation In tax
able values. and a consequent loss TO the
state.
These results come by degrees. The
general public-canital and labor-alilSe
fan 20 perceive the insdious influence
that g. reacting fatally on both The
diffused nature OF the trouble has rem
dered illustration by specihc cases DIM
cult. but recent statistics throw great
amount of light on the subject.
The bin before the Legislature give9
the purchaser an option AS 70 whether
or not he shall use convict-made goods.
and will principally affect imported
goods The attention Of our citizens
should be drawn 70 the measure. and 1t
is 10 be hoped that discussion viii ensuc
conducive 10 the spreading Of Information
regarding the entire subject Of convict
labor.
IN closing. Mr. Editor. it may be well
10 say that the label bin is not class
measure-not an act relating merely 20
the few trades now represented in the
penitentary. II applies 70 ~. entire
commercial and industrial community.
and insomuch calls for their endorse
ment. JAMES NELSON WOOD.
Richmond, Va, Dec. q, 1895.
The nftleth anniversary Of Reager's