The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-29

SEATTLE. TUESDAY. DEC. 80.
EMPLOYMENT or cosvIcTs.

TIE best rzes4nS 10 ADOPT 2os Tie eiit-
ployxnsne OF conyicts has not been settled
yet in rnost OF the states IL was advo-
Gated as a humane polly % employ pFls-
oner- az some occupation which would
keep them from idi@nsss and at the same
time reduce the coss OF their maintenance
10 the state. Several methods have been
employed. bat al IN turn have been sun
tscted to criticism.
In some OF the Southern states ccnvicts
have been leased out 70 work in mines.
but ths objection Is urged that they not
oniy take the places OF men who are not
CRIMINALS. bat Indirectly inJure miners BY
the amount OF work they are compelled 20
perform. This makes the wages OF hon
sss miners seem high. because equal re-
cults are not obtained, and mine owners
using convict labor can uaderbld those
who do not. Ia New York convtcts have
been contracted out 70 manufacturers OF
brooEns. hardware and other merchandise
goods. The same objection II raised there.
although there can Be no doubt that men
sent 10 jail hAys had put into their hands
by the training a means OF earning an
honest livelihood on their release.
No project promised better than the es-
adjustment OF Jute factory IN the psni-
tertiary OF this state. II intertsred with
no local industry and prevented money
being sent cut OF the state. since the in
satution OF that industry. however. the
coolls labor Of the Orient has bad It's ef-
fact and even prison labor cannot com
pete with II.
Illinois Ia contemplating q very impor-
tant step. II the plans Of Gov.-elect Tan
nsr should be fayorably received by tho
Legislature. -Four years ago Gov. Allgeld
equipped the state prisons with expensive
fiaoh4nsry. hoping 10 teach the conyicts
trades which should be TO their adyan-
sags IL they wanted to reform Labor or
ganlxa Tons have raised objections 20 the
system. because OF the competition; and
Gov. Tanner now proposes 10 discard the
machinery and try another plan.
II IL TO employ the conviSts in the con-
ssrsactfon of roads. There is probably no
objection 70 this. rs II does not conflict
with skiaed Labor. but the oftrepeated
argument 10 used against It. that the sx-
psrss Of watching the prisoners VIII make
II cost more than that OF ordinary labor.
and thai people In the neighhoEhood Of
their work would be kept IA dread Of tho
consequences OF daring criminals ssoap-
ing.
Ths English government has kept the
convlcts a. some places engaged In local
work. The moo, notable example OF this
Il the Portland hrsakwater. which VAS
almost entirely constructed by prisoners
serving long sentences. They have also been
employed on fortincations. ana In France
thu galley slavss have done come excel
ieut government work. although their
treatment IS not sucn as 10 commend the
French system. Russia sends her Polltl-
cal prisoners to the government mines In
Siberia. bat there. 100. humanity Is shock
81 10Y Ehe hardsAips Of the ungortunates
and tas brutal conduct Of he guarda
There should bs 10 objection 70 oonyicts
being ssagat trades. and being employed
IN the Manufacture o. such articles az
thcy wear The dlaicuity in tho way OF
tuis - that - HlilcA work u nov done by
machinery, ana the varied implements
Needed would cau for an enormous outlay.
10 say nothing OF the chances OF over
production. II some method OF exchange
between state. could - devised. one state
might make saoas another clothing. an
othsr tools. aaa another hardware. bat
this IS too Intricate system 70 Re at
tempted except un3sr uniform regulations.
such 50 az aes % congress could insure.
but watch 81 "a oeyoad tAs power OF that
bo1y - enact
x slnsosg seams IS II roaamskiaE and
extensive areakSAtsrS or fortidcatious
are The oaly rveourse sn4 even these two
latter must be done by agreement between
the sH~sss sRd ths Federal governments