The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1898-01-22

features of THE case, and consider the
convict not as subject of our con-
demnaton and punishment, but as one
diseased morally and needful of treat
ment and cure.
What does such patient most need:
Not physician but willanswer that first
OF all he must have hedlthful exercise
and plenty of it, When we come toappiy
the remedy what do we find? That
public sentiment is opposed, and right
fully, to the competition of convict labor
with free labor. How, then, shall the
convict be employed for the public ben
eft without entering into competition
with free labor? In just such manner
az Mr.. Edwards suggests, only we
should extend his field of usefulness
just as far as the nature of the individ-
nal convict permitted, and make him
worker upon the roadbed, giving to
"trusties" such degree of freedom rs
would aid to make them better men and
fiji them to return to honest ways when
their term of Imprisonment had ex-
pred.
We have heard much of good roads Of
late years; but most of the discussion
has ended with talk, and but little, com
Daratively speaking, has been accom-
~piished. We believe this is largely due
to lack of concerted movement. We are
convinced that ii the states through
which an air line road from, say, Bu1fa-
10. y. Y, to the Pacific coast were to
unite in the construction of such high
way, and would employ no other thar
convict labor, each states prisoners to
work upon the roadway of that state,
the result would be such an era of good
road making as would soon lift the ag-
ricultural sections of the United States
out of the mire, transform travel and
lie in the country as much as the paved
streets in the cities have added to the
comfort and pleasure of those who
dwell in them, and remove the heaviest
tax now resting upon agricultural pro-
Guction. This may be said to be a senti-
mental way of going about it, But we
DO many things from sentiment, and
more interest can be aroused in some
such interstate roadway than by all the
states in the union working single
handed and without purpose.
Such a road would bring to its sup
port the wheelmen of the nation, and
they have shown a commendabe spirit
of helpfulness and willingness TO bear
their share of the burdens attending
good roads. 1t would lead to the CON
struction of the states through which
this interstate highway passed Of
series of laterals which would bring all
sections into connection with the main
avenue. 1t would make possible sum-
mer outing for thousands of people who
now are withheld from its enjoyment
by the expense attending, and would
transform the country into n scene of
Efe and pleasure. such as now is wit
messed only in the country districts of
certain European lands.
Our prisons are to-day burden upon
the people. They should be made self
supporting, and in doing this the high
est good of convicts may be conserved.
To use this labor in transforming the
boys and mudholes, which compose
large portion of our country roads, into
dry, smooth highways. would be to
give to ii purpose in itself stimulating
to the moral growth of the men engaged
in 1t. or its advantages to the people.
especially to agriculturists, there is no
room for discussion. -Farmers' Voice.