New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-18
WORK ON ROADS,
PUBLIC SENTIMENT TURNING IN FAVOR
OF THE IDEA.

wow THE MEMBERS OF THE STATE PRISON
COMMISSION FEEL~rwo OFFICERS OF THE
PRISON ASSOCIATION ALSO BELIEVE IN
rrAsA TEMPORARY EXPEDIENr FOR
EMPLOYING THE PRISONERS.
There Is a growing feeling in the minds OF many
ear-thinking people that the time has come "ne"
the convicts in the State prisons shouid oe en-
ployed for n part Of the year IN the mahns Vi
roads Hitherto there has been strong preluuice
on .he part of some against anything OF this klho'
because IL has been felt that the sight OF con''c's
q, work IN public p,accs would be unpleasant ana
dc-norazing. The restriction placed by the reV'se'
Constitution on the work at which the prisoners ~
the State can be employed and the necessity Oh ""-
mig work for them. together with the growing rec
ogni,ion Of tho importance OF good reads are ei"o
,alv nroducing change in the disposition OF mos"
who have IN the past opposed any plan OF USING
the convicts as aid In the construction OF iii
proved highways. 49,.
Two facts are plain for all TO see: One, that
New-York needs better roads and must nave 'hei"
unless Il Is TO lose its place of prin acy among the
states: the other that, ideness is inc WORST
possible thing for inmates of the prisons Is ao
eolutely indispensable that work OF some hiiu NC
proyidcd for them. The question OF using 'he co''
,.cs on the public roads has been under considera
ito, he tho members of the State Prison Commits
sion who are in part charged with the duty OF see
ing that the prisoners are kept ousy. inns oou'
was appointed in pursuance OF provision Oh '"e
new Constitution.
VIEWS OF PRESIDENT STEWART.
To ascertain the views this question enter
taned by the who for the last year ana " nan
have given special attention 10 the prisons VI '''
State visit was made TO the office OF iAspena,u
Stewart the president OF the Commission III VIM
uom-s, Mr. Stewart was found willing to talk on
the subject and his views may be accepted as 'oSe
of the members Of the Commission as whoie.
.T-his matter" he said. has been canvassed oE
the State Prison Commission. and we nave hau oe-
fore us large number of experts. FROM AL INC
evidence | have no hesitation IN SAYING '"'' "''
e,a,c prison convicts be employed advantage
ousy I'm roadmaking provided the people nV,"s IA
the regions where the roads are to be puii' 10 i''
object TO their doing the work. But there "ouo I've
no economy in employing them In small gangs.
With a gang of twenty 1t would be necessary "
have a certain number OF guards and there would
bove N he men employed do the cooking take
care ~ the Camp etc But If 2tO prisoners were
set AZ work the number Of the GUARDS Wou'o ny 'o
means have TO be multiplied by ten
ct, seems 10 be settled that the men could not pe
used 10 advantage If they had 10 be taken more
than five miles in the morning from the place
uhere they spend the night. and back TO II In the
evening That is TO say from given point whe.c
n convict camp established, WORK couu NC
carried on IN each direction for fve rhiies n"
sumo that the people in the town or county wouid
no, ohtect 10 the establishment Of such a camp
among them Then II there were no objections Ill
the next town county. the camp couiu ne 'i"n9
ferred TO another point ten miles away anu '"e
same method Of procedure followed ohe susseS-
ton IN regard TO such camps s that portable steer
coils might be employed That would not be neces-
sarv however; tents would be sufficient. provided
q proper patrol was maintained How many guards
would be required Is not certain. but speaking ioi
myself should think that thirty guards armed
with Winchesters would be enough to look AFTER
90 prisoners.
SENTIMENTAL OBJECTIONS.
1.-THE principal objection TO the proposed use oil
convicts is a sentimental People lift up their
e.rds In horror and ask II we going TO compel
their wives and daughters TO witness such terrible
sights as that of men in striped clothes, and with
balls and chains attached, at work on the puphc
highways OF there is no basis Tor the 'aih
about balls and chains. There is no expectation OF
using such things. and no need OF them; out sup
hose II would be necessary to keep the convcts IN
the ordinary prison dress. AS far as seeing men
of this class at work is concerned. can believe that
in the case Of young girl there might DC momer-
tarv shock but there is doubt that the people
would soon get used 10 the sight. and with adequate
Guards there need be no fear of harm coming TO
any one in a community from having prisoners at
work on the highways. AS for the effect produced
on the prisoners if their acquaintance shou'u
chance 10 them at work In prison cIothes' no
one need be alarmed by that. IL Tom Jones. Tor
example is sent into part Of the country where
he is known and Is recognized by his old friends
the effect on him will be good and he VIII be less
likely on that account to be sent back TO prison
after the close Of his term.
whatever objections there may be TO the en-
plovment Of the prisoners In this way the advan-
taces greatly outweigh them especially at this time
when the necessity of providing work for the people
in the prisons Is so gre 1t. This is something which
the people of the state ought TO consider by set
ting the prisoners at work on the roads employ
ment would be furnished for them for at least nan
OF the year and during the remainder they could
be employed in producing the articles needed III INC
public institutions of the State.
THE BILL THAT FAILED.
Last year had a bill introduced in the Legis
I,,ure making an appropriation of $4,000 10 enable
ten miles road TO be built by convicts within th'
immediate vicinity of the three prisons. III course
II is not possible TO make very good road Tor al
outlay of 81 900 a mile but ii was thought that th'
experiment would he useful in a variety OF ways
The idea was TO have the roads constructed or
plans made by the State Engineer and surveyor. So
tina, they would conform with any roads that nigh
be laid in the future under the direction OF 'h'
State But the bill laughed ont OF court. Il
got no further than reference to a committee
and was never heard of again. Some OF the Sena
tors professcd to be shocked at the bare though
OF convicts work In a public place am no
sure but I think may Introduce that bill again
or have II introduced. start ought 10 be made, 81
that the existing nrtJuuICe in"N NC i'"o''"' 81
there is no better place 10 make beginning tha'
close to the prisons. even though there may b
greater need Of improved roads elsewhere.
IDLENEsS THE WORST THING.
Eugene Smith secretary OF the Prison Assoca
ton OF New-York when asked for his views on tn
question. opened the interview by depiorng tn
adoption Of that section Of the revised Constitution
which 10 A large extent imposes idencss on the in
mates Of the prison. He expressed an earnest hop
thu, I, would be amended as soon as possible. bu
confessed that no amendment could be passed an
become operative before the beginning OF 1901
Turning TO the question Of the employment of tn
cony1cts in making and mendinG roads. he said;
MY opinion In general IS adverse 10 this kind o