The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-26
STAMP CONVICY-MADE GOODS.
The Committee Alter q knSthy Hearing
Passes the Bill BY.
MANY SPEECHES IN ADVOCACY OF 1T.
Many Urge That the Present Convict Labor
system be Abolished-Tobacco
Manufacturers Advocate the
Measure-The Speakers.

hall OF the House OF Delegates yesterday
afternoon at o'clock for the purpose
Of considering the bill introduced by Mr..
Bryant at the request Of the Central
Trades and Labor Committee, which re-
quires that all convict-made goods shall
hereafter be plainly stamped as such.
Mr.. Bryant first spoke to the bill and
explained that such measure as was
proposed was IN vogue In many other
States. He set forth that by virtue Of
the fact that ccnyicts were worked in
competition with honest labor, many
honest men were thrown out Of employ
ment. and were unable TO support their
families. lie called attention TO the pres
ence before the committee OF the Legis-
lative Committee of the Central TRADES
and Labor Council. and introduced the
chairman thereof Mr.. Mccullough.
Mr.. Mccullough spoke first OF the
ability of the contractors who employed
convict labor to undersell merchants ana
manufacturers who employed only expert
honest labor. lie thought that all goods
ought to be sold on their merits, and
argued that whether the convict stamp
was on goods or not. If they were equally
as good as other goods of the same
class they would sell equally as well.
He showed that laws similar TO the one
proposed had been put into effect in In
diana and Pennsylvania, and said that
the law in those States had not injured
the prison. He had statistical state
ment of the work done in the Union by
convicts which he read. lie then argued
that the system as now in vogue in Vir-
ginia was extremely injurious. both to
labor and capital. He read resolutions
from several labor unions OF this State
endorsing this action of the Central
Trades and Labor Council and protesting
against the use OF conyicts In manufac-
turing goods for the use OF the general
public. lie also read strong letter from
Thomas J. Bowling, Labor Commissioner
Of New York, who characterized the en-
ployment of convict labor a curse upon
honest mechanics. and letters from
number OF gentlemen throughout the
State
Continuing he said that should this
bill be passed Virginia would see the
dawn OF a new era, and should IL in
hlct a loss on tho penitentiary IL would
cause new industries TO spring up all over
the State, the taxes from which would
more than compensate the Commonwealth
for the loss.
J. TAYLOR ELLYSON'S VIEWS.
Mr. Mccullough introduced Hon. j. Tay-
Tor Ellyson, who spoke at some length in
regard TO the bill. setting forth in the
outset that while IL was necessary 20 en-
ploy the convicts in some manner. they
should not be brought in contact with
honest labor He thought that the Gen
eral Assembly should strike az the root
Of the situation and pass resolution TO
the effect that At the expiration Of the
IL.
goods should be manufactured I'm Vir-
GINA. He admitted that the argument
that the State derived proht from the
contracts was strong one. but it did
not, he thought. Justify the end. He
hoped that the sense Of the Legislature
would be 10 abolish convict labor.
Mr.. j. Allston Cabell was the next
gentleman 10 address the committee. lie
said that at the first glance almost any
one would conclude that the bill ought
not 10 pass but careful consideration OF
the measure. he thought. would change
this conclusion. He thought that the
statement that the State would lose
large revenues was somewhat illusory.
While twas true that the employment Of
cQrVicts on contract was a profit to the
".l. there was something 10 be placed
1.-The debtor side Of the ledger. He
q .Ided 10 the impossibility, "a he termed
It, Of small industries 10 be fOstered
while they were being competed with by
convict labor at IS and p cents day.
The object, he said, OF the penitentiary
was not TO increase the revenues Of the
State, but to deter crime and reform
criminals. Fie then set forth that
honest men, who had started life with
the the highest impulses and with bright
prospects. might come I'm contact with
convict labor. and. thereby thrown out
of employment, might become va
grant and finally a felon. He thought
this the view that lawmakers should
take OF the matter.
ALL FAVOR IT.
Mr.. j. c. Dickerson was introduced to
the committee by Mr.. Bryant and spoke
at some length He stated that he had
been conducting a harness business in
this city for thirty years. He spoke
of the changes which have taken place
in that time First said he, the me-
chanic came in contact with machinery,
then he came in contact with the felon.
and now the evil Is driving him out Of
business. Men are going over the whole
country, putting down their convict-made
goods beside ours, with not one word
as TO where they came from. Gentle
men Of the Legislature. Virginia will In
sist in putting her convicts I'm competi
ton with our skilled mechanics, and
we therefore ask only that you stamp
the goods.
Mr.. H. NJ. Smith. Jr., was the next
speaker. and he made a strong speech
in behalf Of the measure. lie thought
hat the question, Can the State afford
10 abolish convicts?" was very narrow
one He explained that in nine States
OF the Union. some of them the most
wealthy and prosperous OF the Union,
the question OF convict labor had been
referred 10 commissions. and they had
reported that IL was very pernicious
practice He showed. further. that ten
OF the States had abolished convict Tabor
altogether Virginia. he said If II did
not this session Of the Legislature. would
ind out ultimately that sentiment was
so strong against convict labor that 1t
would have 10 be abolished.
Senator Tredway. Of Pittsylvania. ad-
vocated strongly the bill. but thought 1t
didn't 20 far enough He introduced Mr..
Stubbs a tobacconist Of Martinsyile.
Mr. Stubs invited attention 10 the
moral side Of the question and not 20
the financial side. He said the people
who used manufactured goods. demand
ed 10 know what they were buying. The
State had no right 10 put on the people
conyict-made goods which were often
represented 10 be honest-made goods.
TOBACCO MANUFACTURERS.
Captain Covington. president or the
Danville Tobacco Trade was the next
gentleman to address the committee.
He thought that all convict labor should
be abolished. so far as II came in COM
petition with honest labor.
Mr.. WeNple. Of Danville. representing
the tobacco manufacturers Of Danville,
was next introduced. He advocated the