New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-06
TO EMPLOY CONFLICTS ON ROADS.
PURPOSE OF THE BILL WHICH THE STATE
PRISON COMMISSION Is PREPARING

II kPOSE OF The BILL WHICH THE STATE
PRISON COMMISSION is PREPARING.
Iispenard Stewart. president OF the State Prison
Commission at his office in Willam-st. yester-
day having returned from Albany, where he went
to attend meeting of the Commission on Wednes-
day Speaking of the employment OF convicts In
road building, he said:
THE Commission by a unanimous vote instructed
the secretary 10 prepare for presentation TO the
Legislature bill similar the that failed to
pass last year, providing for appropriation of
$1,000 for the construction of thirty miles of road in
the vicinity of the State prisons | advocated the
passage OF the resolution. The Commissioners
heartily believe that this experiment ought 10 be
tried, and will all their influence to secure the
enactment of the bill. / have talked recently with
a number of well-known men owning estates along
the Hudson and they all agreed that there no
danger In allowing convicts to work the roads
They feel too that there is good ground for the
prejudice which exists about seeing in stripes
working in public places.
Il do not think it is worth while to think OF put
ting the convics in any other than the regular uni
form, although possibly they might be allowed to
wear overalls and striped shirts. The fact is the
wearing OF stripes IL disgrace in itself and that
Committed crime and IS being punsh r for @'iG
II this bill is passed. as sincerely trust it will be-
1t VIII enable the experiment TO be- made on a
small scale and We shall then know whether 1t IL
Wise 10 20 on another year on larger scale Ten
,ne three prisons. with the men occupying their
usual quarters every night When an attempt IS
made 10 use them at some distance from the prs-
onS, believe the problem be easily worked out
~ may be necessary 10 have convict camps in some
places. but near the lines OF railroads / think il
would be practicable to have convict trains In which
on the s sep d S as there n@sr s
haps. he boats fitted up for the the prisoners
The thing will be work itself tout in the
rlght way, II we are once permitted TO make a
start.
"As for danger to the people OF noghborhood IL
convict camp H. placed I'm it for short time there i
no reason why any should entertain fear II
i'm
he would be certain to get away as rapidly as pos.
stopping 10 rob any ones house. / am glad 10 zee
the outspoken position The Tribune has taken IN
the question Of employing conv the roads and
nope me press generally its influence
urge the passage of the ,hch will ana he
thirty miles OF good roads to be built at practicable
no expense to the State"
In answer 10 q question regarding the provision OF
work for the people In the State prisons Mr. Stew
art said "a bout half OF them a work and
In two or three months II Is expected that All OF
them will be employed. although different dates for
that are given. The sensational stories that have
been published about convics being bent on suicide
and staring with fixed gaze through the doors Of
their cells fakes The prisoners have
been in better condition. from, the point Of
view OF health. than during January Last wear
there were ninety-seven cases of insanity I'm the
prisons-an average OF eight month In January
there were just three cases The convlcts have 40,
been idle long enough TO feel the ill-eects of idle
ness yet. II Is a relief 10 many of them TO he free
from the combining work 10 which they were sub.
Jected by contractors, and the exercise they Get
from two hours walking in the open air twice n
they have not had anything of that kind before
But, of course realize the importance OF providing
employment for them. for the bad effects OF ives.
dom from work must tell on them before long"