The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-24
FEOM rHE PENITENTIART.
superintendent Lynn on the Employ of
Convict Labor.

ApNAltA Itbhi.
The month CT February seems to be a
rather prosperous one for the Virginia
penitent.ary. for up 10 yesterday at noon
Major Is. ". Lynn the superintendent
ot the Institution. bad received utty-siN
60 nVicts curing the present month, max
ing the number OF inmates at that time
LIS. Besides. he hid been noned from
various counties and cities that seven
more were being held ln readiness 10 be
delivered tO BITS guards az soon as they
should call for them. The number o.
conylcts discharged during the present
month is only thlrty-twO.
When 1 asked Major Lynn whether the
Jaw passed by the Legislature during the
last session, which 81 fes him tic right
20 send Tor the COnNlcfs, instead or hAy-
ius Them delivered 20 the penitentury
lr the Various sleriffs. had compelled
him ID increase tho number or his
guards he replied boo the negative. re
explained that prior 20 the passage OF
the act in question. another iaw mao
been enacted. authorizing him GO employ
at the reuItentary O. number of guards
not O. exceed nfty. and that that number
had not yet been reached.
While talking about "a proper system
of labor by which convcts coald Doe
employed without amy interference or
objection on the part OF free labor, Major
LEnu showed mc ine following article
published in the Chicago Record. from
Joliet. DID,, under date 1l February I-th,
which Doe Thought applied very well
also TO the State cf Virginia.
AT tho second days meeting or tho
VIII County Farmers Institute Grundy.
Kane. LaSaile Winncbago, and COOK
counties We're represented. The prncl-
pal discussion was over convict laDtI.
10 was finally decided that convict labor
in competition with free labor was all
bugAbOo. The cOnvicts We're bur an
indnitesmal portion OF tho worhngmen
OF the State Of Illinois. and N they We're
out of the prison their labor would
necessarily compete with other labor.
They are entitled TO live, and also en-
titled 10 work.
There IS so much demagogy oXtant on
the subject OF convict labor tll tlt
question is so often befoggcd. that II IS
n real relief 10 note the sensible conciu-
sions reached by the intelligent FARMERS
OF the Illinois counties above named.
They make the point, which we have
often made ln these columns Tnaf D.
convicts were outside and were good
citizens. they would be at some honest
work. and it would be good FOR the Douy
pOlitic that they should be SO at Work.
IF Il would profit the state FOR them
70 be at work as honest p.''aie cue
zens. how would il less profit the state
for them 10 work on the INSIDE IAey
constitute. as stated. but a small per
and wisely directed. their labor would
inappreciably affect tie MASSES OF the
rcople of the State one w. or tr
other. i'm ftcl L might just 80 80
benefit as 10 iniure and BE- wisely a.
rectod. as we say. it ought TO benefit the
community. ......
labor were massod 10 compete against
some one small branch OF industry ana
directed with the sole purpose or break
ing down that industry. n might sue
coed i'm doing so. but this is an extreme
case. and we submit that no such thing
ever has happened. which Is a falr arsu-
mont I'm this instance 10 prove that no
such thing Will ever happen. fcr me
state can I'M the future command as ssoa
talent for directing convict I"nor
as II has I'm the past commanded.
THE convict-labor scare Is JUST Whal
the Illinois farmers call ia Duganoo.
II the conycts do net sustain E. tnem M sSsr
-, mi ~ the burden OF supporting
them. There is no lodging this ,., law OF
POLITICAL economy-that ne pr9eu, y,
must ultimately bear all tho burdens OF
the state