The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1898-09-29
eminent reports Omitted States for
1896, the figures are as follows:
DECREASE IN VALUE OF COAL PRoDuc-
TIoN IN 1896 FROM 1895.

Virginia ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 81, 90:
tennessee ''.....'...'''.,.., ", l,13l
georgia ''''.......,.,,.,,. n, Az
kentucky y',...,.......,,,.... 205,01
ONO ...',............... 800, ,0lt
Pennsylvania a.........,..,.... 612, los
1t will be observed that the decrease
in Kentucky was three times that OF
Tennessee, in Georgia, the decrease
was greater than in Tennessee, in Ohio
it was nearly six times as great, and in
Pennsylvania nearly ten times as great.
Is any one absurd enough to claim that
the removal of Tennessee's 900 con-
victs from the mines under the lease
system of 1895 and the employment of
400 of our convicts in our own mines in
1896 could produce such enormous de-
creases in all the surrounding States
The cost of iron ore in Tennessee and
Alabama continually decreased from
81 80 and 50 in 1890 to 80 and go cents
per ton in 1896.
The price OF pig iron in Tennessee
and Alabama continually decreased
from $15 and $16 in 1890 to SO and 81 a
ton in 1896, the year that Tennessee
commenced operating coal mines. Can
any one have the folly to claim the ope-
ration Of the State mines had anything
to do with the decline in iron ore or
pig iron?
The enemies Of the present mining
system persist in claiming that it has
reduced the wages of the free miners
in this State, but the Government re-
ports show also that this contention is
entirely untrue. The United States
Government reports of 1891 COM
pared to 1896 show that the cost per
ton of coal has declined as follows in
ths States named
RELATIVE COST OF MINING COAL IN
1891 AND 1896.
Alabama decreased from, 81 07 to SOC
Georgia decreased FROM. so TO zoe
KsAtucky decreased from. SO to 78c
OAio decreased from ..,,.. "a to 79c
Tennessee decreased from Ill to SEC
Virginia decreased from. 80 to CSC
Pennsylvania decrsd from 81 to TIC
1t will be observed that there was a
general reduction in the five years
named, and that in 1896 the prices were
higher in Tennessee than any other of
the Southern States except Alabama.
Do the enemies of the present sys-
tenn offer any suitable substitute for it?
Did any one, when the change was be-
ing advocated suggest any better en-
ployment for the State convicts than is
now being given them? Who, then,
dared to defend the inhuman and
revolving lease management? No skill
is required in mining; strength and
muscle are the only requisites. Is there
any other occupation that the convicts
can be engaged at, that will come into
less competition with free labor? Is
any one prepared to recommend that
the convicts be permitted to remain in
prison in idleness?
The republican State of Kansas has
been successfully and satisfactorily OPP
Grating mines with conyicts for the
benefit Of the State for years. In man
ufacturing industries from 500 to SOC
eonvicts are employed without produc-
ing competition Under the present
system only 500 convicts are at the coal
mines, and the remaining 900 are en-
rloyed within the penitentiary and
State farms in diversified manufacture
ing emyloyments not more than nine
ty-nine in any one business or indus
try. What better arrangement can any
of the enemies of the present system
suggest?
The States mining enterprise is COM
plete, up-to-date, fully equipped with
machinery, thoroughly organized, has
a splendid trade built up for its pro.
duction and has as many friends as any
ether mine in the country. 1t is sue
cess. 1t paid net profit of over $50,
600 last year, and since the erection ol
100 coke ovens, will show a net profit
of $50, 900 or more in 1898.
The factory buildings with electric
power plant to operate them have beer
erected within the walls of the peni-
tentiary, all the convicts are employed
at satisfactory rates of compensation
and the system has been placed on {
paying basis.
Does the Republican candidate fol
Governor or the enemies of the presen
system propose to destroy all this
break down this successful and salts
factory arrangement in order to try
some new and dangerous experiment
of handling the conyicts at untold ex
pense to the people and taxpayers o
TENNESSEE Chattanooga Times
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