Evening journal., 1898-05-19
PRODUCTS OF CoNvICTs.

contention, but from all the agitation
nothing practical or beneficial has re-
suited. It is still a vital and unset
tied question with us as it is with many
other states. We have made one ex-
periment-the stone-pile for certain
classes of prisoners-but that expert
ment has never been conducted under
conditions such as would secure re-
suits possible under more natural con-
ditions. We have had legislation look
ing to the working Of a stone quarry
by the prisoners Of this county, but it
was not Of a mandatory character. An
effort has been made to establish a
State Workhouse. But for all this our
penal classes continue in idleness in
our three county jails, and they con
stitute a dead expense to the public.
There is certainly some practical
manner in which to apply the latent
energies OF the criminals who inhabit
our jails II is only matter of decid-
ing upon a proper course to pursue. If
Maryland can so employ it's criminals
as TO make them not only self-support-
ing, but also a source OF revenue to- the
state, there is no good reason why the
Delaware General Assembly cannot en-
act a law bringing about the same
beneficial result.
There is one thing which has always
been a block in the way Of the profit
able employment OF criminals, and that
is the disposition Of prison-made pro-
ducts. Honest artisans object to such
products being put on the market in
competition with their own. A large
percentage Of buyers refuse to pur-
chase prisOn-made goods at the regu-
lar market price, and the honest arti-
sans resent any and all legislation
looking to the putting Of prisOn-made
articles on the market below the regu-
lar market price.
A joint committee OF the Pennsyl-
vania Legislature is now engaged in an
effort to solve this problem OF 80 util-
izing convict labor as not to compete
with free workmanship. Whatever
may be the result of their efforts in
this direction we of Delaware must
necessarily profit thereby, for it is the
very question which we are seeking Ia
solve, but in an informal manner de
void of method. Yesterday that joint
committee began its investigations
with an inspection Of the Eastern
Penitentiary in Philadelphia, which is
recognized as one of the greatest PEN
al institutions in the world Members
OF the board OF inspectors of the peni-
tentiary were present to assist the
committee in its investigation and tn,
following interesting information was
obtained:
Scarcely more THAN per cent. OF thu
entire population of the prison is en-
gagged IN labor whose products are il
competition ON the market, and of TIN
several branches OF industry pursue,
but one, and that cigarmaking, can
make AMY sort OF cOmpetition will
factory-made goods. The largest mum
Der OF m.en engaged in amy particular
lime Cf productive work is in tn
stocking department. in which abou
seventy men are given employment
THEY work singly or in palirs in separ
ate CELLS, and the hand machines use
make the processes slow ones. 1t is Oi
this account THAT manufacturers ar
enabled to sen goods cheaper, eve.
with wages to pay, and it is said tina
stockings which Uhe prison autlhOriie
must sell at fifty-seven cents a doze
are sold by manufacturers aIt forty
four cents. In addition, the fact tina
all puison-made goods must be s
marked enters into the problem an
prevents sales.
An excellent quality of cigars rs mad
at the penitentiary, but the Conyi,
label spOils their sale, and in cOnst
quenOe only a few men can be en-
p.Oyed IN this branch Of industry.
clever workman is enabled by a syl
tenn which has been adopted to ear
some trifing sum for himself aft,
completing The days task, and tn
money is placed TO his credit and
given him when his time expires.
the shoe department brogans, men
and wc.mens shoes are made, but COZ
yict label here also interferes viii
sales, and emily a comparatively fe
persons, knowing the quality and pri
Of the goods. come to the PRISON
make purchases Not $500 worth
shoes is sold in a year so it can be Sc,
THAT This industry does not emit
largely into competition in tine trad
All ahc SHOES are strictly hand-maJ
and THAT fact alone acts as a destroy
of competition with the thousands
shoes tmmed cut by THE large factors,
A recent experience showed THE diea
trcus effect of placing these pris
shoes On uhe market. for THE amou
nealized on The sale Of large lot W
500 less than the cost of productiC
Each county pays about 20 cents
day for the support Of it's pris0ne
and ais The amount of q conyict's eaI
ings while at his task is deducted fir,
this charge, it lis to a cOunty's adva
tage to have its prisoners prcduotiv,
employed. The support of the ineti
tion given by THE state is for salar
OF officers, with am additional $500
library and $500 Tor general expans
as all building, painting and rep
work at the prison is done by inmat
while the steam heating, electric lig
ing cooking and baking are also dc