The record-union., 1897-02-05
RUG-MAKING FOR CONVICTS.
A Plan to Let Them Work Without
Violating the Law.

hUG- IL AhlNU EOh COS ASAo'
A plan to Let Them Work Without
Violating the Law.
Among the latest plans suggested for
the employment of convicts, who since
the first of this year have been idle, IS
that Of John Murray Mitchell, who, as
q member of the Executive Committee
of the Prison Association, has given the.
matter much attention. Mr.. Mitchell
saws that the prisoners in the State pris-
ons should be allowed to make Turkish
rugs: and in advocating the scheme
he said: I understand that this indus
try requires an immense amount OF
time. which is one thing that the pris-
oners have to give; that is, if they have
long sentences, and it would not con-
fict with any outside labor. "
Instructors could be found among the
Armenians who have recently sought
refuge in this country and who are
masters of the rug weaving indus
try. The people who favor the move
ment believe that sufficient number of
expert teachers could be found, and that
the work would be remunerative after
short time. The plan was tried in India,
out WAS 6bdHdOliGG AiiCA PS0SAN' -
conffcted with one of the great indus
tries Of that country.
our methods are so much ahead of
those of India" said Mr. Mitchell that
we have no manufacturers of rugs Of
the character that would be produced IN
the prison. and the industry wiuld
therefore not be q competitor IN any
way With outside and honest labor
O. V. Sage, warden Of Sing Sing Pris-
on. said that he thought the plan fea-
sible, and hoped that steps might be
taken to give 1t a trial. Il have never
seen anything Of that kind in opera
ton said Mr.. Sage, but the plan
seems 70 be a good one, and worthy OF
consideration because il is the only one
proposing inside work to which the
American laborer cannot object
Mr.. Sage is anxious that something
be done toward giving the men in his
charge work, because the bad effects
of idleness are already beginning TO
show themselves, and ne believes that
the condition will grow worse daily un-
til work of some kind is given to the
men, who are now unemployed.
"Of the thirteen hundred prisoners
in Sing Sing" he said, only about six
hundred have any work to do, and the
others are becoming FESTIVE under their
changed condition. There have been
no outbreaks and no serious infraction
of the prison rules, but petty offens9s
are becoming more numerous every
day. and the general conduct OF the
men Is falling below the former good
standard The prisoners have three
and q half hours Of exercise daily. This
exercise is taken at four different times
of the day, and although it requires
time TO 60 through the regular drills
at these times. and the monOtOny IS
broken by the exercise to some extent,
1t IS too little for the men, and their
existence is made dOubly miserable
/ have placed all the men at work for
whom / can find employment within
the law and hope TO have fifty add
1ional stOnecutters next week. or rs
soon as the old furnace building can be
made ready for them; but even thes
there will be hundreds Of men idle. w
have been compelled 10 be exceptionally
severe since the new era began. and
knowing that the tendency to disregard
the prison regulations will grow as
idleness continues. We must insist OF
perfect discipline"
When asked IL he believed that tbs
average convict could become rug
weaver Mr.. Sage said: We have more
talent in the prison than people give Us
credit fer | am sure that the rler
would learn rapidly, especially if theS
knew that future employment and re-
lease from depressing idIeness depended
upon their making progress in tht
work. Why every day we learn of new
talent IN the place. In building the new
wing, with its chapels ana messroom
many OF the inmates have given us mt
seY.ial assistance, and one electrician
who wears a striped suit is nov bus,
designing ornamental chandeliers arc
,andelabra for the chapel. l am sur,
thar We should never be at a loss fo1
beautiful patterns If We made rugs
tbs. rrison. because we have men wh1
are expert in decorative art who would
find a new field for their talent in tina
direction"
Friends of the Mitchell plan say ais
that large shops would not be neces
sary for the rug-making industry. an,
while the larger spaces which were for
merly used as work rooms by the mel
might be utilized for the new industry
they would not be essential beca a.
smaller rooms would answer the Sam
purpose and the cost of running ma
chnery would be dispensed with
At the meeting of the Prison Associa
ton last Thursday the plan was dis
cussed. but no action was taken.-Nev
York Tribune.