The Topeka state journal., 1899-01-31
TO MAKE TWINE.
All the Penitentiary COnvicts
Who DO
Not Mine Coal May Be Put to
Work
ON BINDING TWINE.
If Captain SeatOn's Project Be-
comes Law.
A Measure in Interest of Farm
and Factory Hand.
BINDING TWINE.

When Captain Seaton's resolution to
appoint a committee to visit the Min
nesota penitentiary to obtain informa-
tion regarding the penitentiary twine
factory, with a view to establishing a
like factory in the Kansas penitentiary,
came up today, Captain Seaton took the
floor and made a long speech in behalf
of the resolution.
Some months ago." he said, at es-
sayed to be governor of this state, and
I hoped to be able to send documents
to this body by my secretary with my
recommendations, but il was ruled 9TH
erwise, and as a. result I am still with
you and can talk to you from the floor,
which a governor cannot do.
Il have been given the honor of being
called the father of the house. and I
intend to advise you as a father.
You know there is a growing dispo-
come into competition with free labor.
The question is, how shall we employ
our convicts without bringing them into
competition with free labor. In my 20
years as a legislator have given this
subject considerable thought. Now,
the manufacture Of twine will not come
into competition with any manufac-
lures in this State.'
Captain Seaton then read considerable
correspondence which had passed be-
tween himself and the warden of the
Saltwater penitentiary on the subject,
and also letter from G. E. Faulkner,
formerly of Kansas, but now of Min
nesota. The correspondence showed
that the factory had been profitable for
the penitentiary and at the same time
had kept down the price of twine to
Minnesota farmers.
Representative Babb, of Sedgwick,
seconded Captain Seaton's remarks He
said:
'I believe this is one good way to go
after a trust. One of my neighbors
last summer told me the price of twine
was raised on him during harvest when
he had to have it, from cents to 13
cents per pound, and this raise went in
to the pockets of the trust.
Il believe this is a step in the right
direction. / believe it would be a good
idea to have our convicts make shoes
to be distributed to the county commits
sioners to be used by them for the poor.
AT present the commissioners pay out
thousands of dollars annually for this
purpose"
Mr.. Grattan, of Mcpherson, opposed
the resolution on the ground that it
would take away five good men from
the legislature and might come to
naught.
Longley, OF Washington, said: 81 am
in favor of this resolution, and 1 be-
lieve we can get along without the men
that will go on this committee as well
as not" Mr.. Langley meant his re-
mark all right, but it called forth con-
siderable laughter.
Yes, sir, he continued, 1--WE can get
along without the presence of that COM
mittee as well as not. (More laughter).
And believe we would be as we'll off
if we didn't do a thing while they are
gone"
At this point Harris of Lyon moved
the previous question, but Mr.. Grattan
and number of others demanded a roll
call.
When the roll call began Adams of
Butler started to explain his vote but
was called down by Geissler of Logan,
who raised the point that explanations
of votes on the previous question are
out of order.
Some one demanded Mr.. Geisslers 8
authority, and he replied:
why, common sense teaches that"
81 am inclined to think said Speak
er Osborn, that common sense is
against the gentleman from Logan in
this case. Explanations are in ORDER
AS the roll call proceeded nearly half
the members explained their votes, and
some of them took occasion to speak on
the resolution at the same time. The
roll call occupied more time than the
discussion of the resolution would have
done and it was after II o'clock when
it was completed. The previous ques-
tion was lost by g, vote of 50 to "A.
A recess was then taken,