New-York tribune., 1896-12-03
GAVE IT UP ~ DESPAIR
THE STATE PRISON COMMISSION sHIRKs
a DUTY.
1T TRANSFERS To SUPERINTENDENT LATHRoP
THE PROBLEM OF FINDING WORK FOR TIE
INMATES OF THE STATE PRISONS
AFTER JANUARY
!BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Albany. Dee. 2.--The state Prisol Commission.
after about six months work seems 10 nave
given up the attempt t find a way OF keeping
convicts at work aztec January !. This af;ar-
noon having spent two days III debating the
matter. a majority of the members Of the Com
mission passed resolutions which substantially
tel; Austin Lathrop. the Superintendent Of PTS
ons. that he must devise some means OF Keep
ing convicts employed
The members Of the Commission Lispe-
nard Stewart Of New-York. Charles J Boyd. Of
Aiddletown: Nelson Davenport. Of Troy; Will
lam r. Remington. of Canton: John g. Dor
rance. OF Camden Wi'"H ]. Nontanye. OF
Cortland Mrs Johr Davenport. Of Bath. and
George b. Hayes of Troy. Three Of the men,
bers Of the Commission Mrs. Davenport. Mr.
Montanye and Mr. Dorrance. voted agains. the
resolution transferring to Superintendent La
throp the duty of providing a plan for employ
ing the convicts but they were outvoted
The law creating the State Prison Commission
requires Il to make rules and regulations FOR
the divorsifcation and distribution Of the indus
tries which are to be carried on in the State
prisons afte~ January !. The Commission mas
al; along contemplated the adoption OF thor
ough plan. such as is required by law. Which
v.ou1d mark the way for the state Superin
.endant of Prisons to conduc: the prisons as
regards the labor Of the prisoners so that the
provisions Of the revised Constitution would be
literally complied with and yet provide WORK
for all OF the prisoners. The Commission al ts
meeting to-day declined TO take affirmative ac-
ton on such broad lhV but resolved to leave
to General Lathrop tile determination as 10
what industries should be oarriec on IN the
prisons. and authorized him TO make what d.
80, ir,1it ct fris x
to be carried on in the three State prisons
The Commission also decided to transmit 10
General Lathrop th- estimates received from
the various ST ate institutions. showing the ar,-
cles that Will be needed by them next year. w1'h
statement that such estimates are untrust-
worthy. and that probably more articles than
were called for in the estimates would DE needed.
The Commission leaves TO Superintendent La
throp the question 10 the quantity Of articles
that shall be manufactured
The Commissions action TO day Is surprise
70 those who are Interested in the prlsoL-labor
question. and The three Commissioners VINO op-
posed such action are in hopes that theif col
leagues will reconsidc~ the matter.
General IathrOp IN discussing the question
to-day said "Ther@ aye man. people no mag
inc tncy could run thu pris M beer than t'p.e
who have had years OF exp 'rience tn" :act 10
mains that when there is work 10 b. conc
the prisoners cannot be kept cmpioycd. The
number Of articles viii ii will be needed Tor the
State nSuluuOhS H'"- S'.' a. 9"," "E -"
estimates submitted 10 the stat" Prison Com
missioc would not keep mors thao one hundred
and ff-y prisoners employed the year round
The are 300 convict in the three Stat"
prisons Probably 1.4Op could be kept cm-
Moved at various work around the prisons.
'Tbis would leave LOO 70: whon othe: work
,vould have to be provided. Three hundred and
nftv men at Clinton Prison couid nc employee
for the mex, year or two constructing the build
mo for the new insane prison at Danncmora.
TIC ouestion OF k.cpng employed the remaining
200 prisoners. on thereabouts remains serl-
lion ,nns. be solved within the strict lines OF the
ctate Constitution, which goes into effect on
January !