The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-24

to lead reforms, has not only been ne
elected but that there is Il lack OF will
jnSncsS on the part OF her AMBITIOUS
sons OF this age 10 follow an example Tor
the benefit of Il large number to the
injury OF some.
THAT LITTLE WORD 'IF.'
The word .IF,' which occurs in your
reply to our question concerning convict
labor is very suggestive, but at the same
time every indefinite. You seem TO be viii
ling, however, to stop this competition
With free labor provided You can ilnu Tor
the convict diversified employment. Or
ganizcd labor has TOO much profound re-
spect for the honorable profession OF law
to even suggest that law classes be cs-
tablished in our prisons and the criminals
taught law. for we are opposed to the
competition of convicts in any calling, and
we would not place such n stigma upon
an honored profession if it We're i'll our
power to do so. And it is a lack of fair
ness and q, Willingness to do unto others
as you would have others do unto YOU,
that we complain of. But if it be true
that all men are born equal and free.
then the lawyer is no moro entitled to
exemption from the evil and damaging
effects of convict competition than the
mechanic is. And there is certainly moth
ing more "diversitied' than the practices
of law. as demonstrated partly by the
diversity" of opinions expressed by nine
lawyers concerning the liability bill QTes
ton. II it is revenue the State is look
ing for from her convicts rather than 4
punishment for crime, regardless of what
damage is done to her honest citizens, |
respectfully submit that all callings ought
to be willing to bear an equal portion of
the disgrace and burden of a convict COM
petitiVe system.
LEAVES THEM IN DOUBT.
The fact that you reserve the right to
Change the views expressed in your re-
ply leaves us altogether in doubt as TO
what TO expect at your hands. The
change is Just as apt to be against Us
as for us for you do not indicate in what
direction You are most apt to change
We do feel very grateful to YOU, gentle
mon, for your expression of approval OF
some OF our questions, and we are con-
strained to believe that if you would give
more careful consideration to the aims and
objects of organized labor in times Of
quiet, when no election was on hand, and
exercise but half of that interest III our
we'll being all the time that is so manifest
just preceding elections, and study the
conditions under which our people live.
and what it is possible for them to save
out of their earnings.eyou would Join us
in our demand for the liability bill, the
recognition Of our label the abolition of
the convict competitive system, and even
an advance of pay that would enable us
20 worship God under our own fig tree
free from the unfeeling taunts of the
landlord and the execution Of the sheriff,
and that you would favor putting the
safeguards where Qn the Constitution
schenling politicians and corporation at
torneys would be powerless to work q
change.
believe. gentlemen. that YOU viii
admit that, where the honest 'hone and
sinew'' of the land-the men who. in
times of peace, produce the nations
wealth, and in times of trouble stand
behind the guns in defense of our
country's honor and our peoples prop
ertS and safety-are forced to seek at
the hands of our lawmakers protection
from unjust and unreasonable hard
ships; that there is something wrong
in our system of government. When
corporations and individuals count their
wealth by the millions. While hundreds
of others, born in the image of the same
God. are daily committing suicide for
the want of bread for themselves and
little ones, somebody has been robbed.
The poor are powerleSs to rob the rich.
Whoever is guilty of the robbery is pro-
tected under what is termed law 1t
is a revision Of the law we need and
seek.
A DELICATE TASK