New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-28

II IS plain from this comparison that the moue
for the section of the Constitution was 'ne i"'
law which had created a storm OF popular ",e
,ior only a short time before. and 1t Is natural
that people should now be wondering now was
possible for them re-enact, and In the most ni'
inc form a provision the evil effects or when Mao
b..n made so manifest in 1883 and 1889 The simple
truth is that the section or the 'ohSt'"''o"
tua.ly throwing the convics i'm the prisons ho io'c
moss with all the evil results that must follow
such a condition the contribution OF tle manu-
ful of labor members who sat in tho constitutional
convention Il was the one thing they asked ior
and with objectionable weakness, the majority "a
the Convention granted II.
This part of the Constitution was not ratined ny
the people without their attention being called TO H.
The Prison Association Of the State was prompt 10
foresee the ills that would flow from 1t. and some
II not az. of its members voted against the Consti-
tuition az whole account OF their dissatisiac-
ton with this feature. Many other intel gent clti-
gems gained clear understanding OF the matter
and voted to approve the work OF the constitutional
Convention with mental reservation ana IN the
expectation that an amendment would be passed to
prevent the bad provision from gong INTO opera
tion AS me provision III p, t so sh.r vas time
enough To secur. such an amendment II astiom was
taken No time was lost by the Prison AS
ISOLATION in bringing the matter before the Legs
.ature and ne proposed amendment WAS p'S''" "'
Af.cr being passed once. such amendment has
to be referred to the Legislature chosen at the next
must be submitted TO vote of the people az the next
succeeding election The Legislature Of 1896 refused
proposed amendment. II it had followed the ex,
ample of It's predecessors the amendment could
into effect at the same time win the section OF
the Constitution it was designed 10 remedy
IL happened however that the Senator'S elected
IN 1925 are to hold Office for three years and there
viii not be another election OF Senators until No
vember Of next year Consequently. If such an
amendment is adopted by the Legislature TINS year
next year 1t cannot be passed on the second
before
Legislature twice. 1t will come before me people
est possible date at which ii can into operation
is January l. 1890. Hence. for the coming three
way Of undong the mischief caused by the Consti-
utional Conventions yielding to the wishes Of the
The Superintendent Of Prisons and the State
Prison Commission have already proposed mum,
Der OF ways in which some work can be supplied
the convicts but objections are being raised IN
aroms to the plans ans under wn4
coded by all who know anything about the subject
demoralizinr. but it produces feeling Of inertia
and deafness that reduces many To the depths or
superintendent Of one Of the State penal institu-
lions received these among other appeals. which
then enforced
Il have lain all day looking at the wall. WIN
me, no matter how low or mental. Before came
here dctestcd work. Now am almost crazy for
can You find me a place to work somewhere?
rather work day and night than remain Idle. Please
give me work hard work. The day seems two
DAYS"
DO please. let mo have work To remain
IN my room without work Is slow agonz,ng death"
II Is the danger OF bringing hundreds Of men to
this condition again that has led many people
look with favor on the proposal to employ the
yicts i'm making roads Here * form of employ
ment I'm which they would be brought into compet-
ton with except possibly gangs Of Italians
The State needs the roads and cannot get them
choapy 10y any other means. II action Is taken at
once 20 use the prisoners in this way the question
of providing work for them during more than half
Of each year will be disposed OF. and during the
three years that the provision Of the Constitution
must remain in force there will be ample time TO
show whether these men cannot be employed safely
and economically in building and repairing roads