Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-02-17

dustries carried on in prisons OF var
ious states, compiled from official re-
ports made to governors and legisla-
lures within the last two weeks:
Colorado-As a means of disposing
of the prison labor problem in Colo
RADIO the warden of the penitentiary
has recommended two remedies. The
| first is that the state acquire title to
the mineral land in a district where
low grade ores prevail, and that a
branch penitentiary be there estab-
lished where convicts can be regularly
employed. Under this plan the state
alone invests the capital, becomes the
sole owner and manager, and the prod
uct will augment the wealth OF the
world. 1t will work no injury to pri-
vate enterprise, nor does it infringe
upon any conceded right Of free labor.
In the event Of this recommendation
not being favorably considered, he
recommended that out Of state lands a
large tract suitable for agriculture be
set aside, branch prison established
and the prisoners employed in farming
upon scale sufficiently large to be
fully self-supporting.
| Alabama-The state owns cotton
mill, with $500 spindles, which was
opened Jan. 1. 1897, at cost of $751;
BAIT. The labor is performed by
women, children and decrepit prison.
ers, all able-bodied convicts being en-
ployed under the lease system or on
prison farms.
Indiana-Last year contract labor in
prisons was abolished, to terminate at
| the expiration of the contracts, but as
no appropriation was made to provide
work for the convicts, the leases have
been permitted to run on.
Kansas-In this state furniture and
shoes are made by contractors OF con-
Wet labor. Some coal is mined. A
farm is conducted by the state.
Kentucky-At an average contract
price of % cents a day, the convicts OF
this state work at chairmaking.
Maine-Prisoners at Auburn make
| pieced kip boot heels, which are sold
to shoe factories in Massachusetts,.
Massachusetts the law Of
1897 only a limited number of prison
ers can work at any one kind of manu-
| facture. At present 375 prisoners make
| shoes, 125 make heels Harness,
brushes, shirts and trunks are also
manufactured in small quantities.
Prices must be the general wholesale
market scale. The modern desire there
| is to work for the sake of order and
discipline rather than for profit to the
state.
Arkansas-The state penitentiary
board of Arkansas has been consider
| ing for several days the disposition OF
| the convict labor of the state for 1899,
| and the result so far has been to bring
about important changes, involving
departure from the present policy OF
working nearly all the convicts on the
share system of raising cotton. After
| the expiration of the present contracts
| the state will abandon the Wabesca,
| Wrightsville and Palarm camps. IL
was decided by the board to contract
| for the hire of 300 convicts for one
year at the rate OF $13 per month, the
state to feed and clothe them. Their
labor will be utilized in railroad con-
| struction.
Minnesota-This state has binding
Irvine factory in its prison which pays
from $1,000 to $4,000 year after al
lowing so cents per day to each con-
vict. A shoe factory is operated by
contract labor, and school apparatus
and supplies are made.
New Hampshire-The silent system
prevails in this state and absolute dis
cipline is enforced thereby. Meals are
eaten in the cells. The manufacture of
wood and rattan chairs is the sole in
dustry.
Marquette prison manu-
features cigars and stogies on the piece
price plan, earning about 80 cents per
day per man. Average cost to the
state of maintenance 1851 cents per
day. The farm department made
profit last year.
Missouri-Under contract labor har-
ness. saddles, brooms, clothing and
shoes are manufactured. The labor
unions will endeavor at the coming
session of the legislature to secure the
abolition Of convict labor
Thoughts OF Great Men.