Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-10-23

In its annual report which has been
made to the Georgia legislature, the
prison commission. consisting of Judge ].
$. Turner. chairman: General Clement A.
Evans and Hon. Thomas Eason. will deal
fully with the convict question. which
must be settled by the coming session of
the legislature.
The report thinks it inadvisable to work
the convicts on the public highways owing
10 the heavy cost IL would entail TO the
taxpayers: Il does not think IL would be
wise 10 work the cOnvicts on building
railroad from Atlanta TO the sea, point
ing out the innumerable difficulties and
the cost 20 the state and shows what an
expense the cOnvicts would be even II
they were worked on the roads or a rail-
road
Under the present system at least $780,.
GO a year clear profit is realized by the
state Here is what the commission says
on the subject:
Extracts From Report.
At this session OF the general assembly
II will be necessary to provide employ
rnent for the convicts, TO take effect at
ter March 81, 1904. when the present con-
tracts, made in pursuance Of the act OF
1887. viii expire. To postpone action un-
I'll the next session might greatly leopard
fze the interest OF the state because Of the
yournment and the expiration of such con-
tracts. within which II would be impossi-
lie for the present contractors, who may
probably desire to again employ convict
labor. or others, who may become bid
ders therefor. to so arrange their affairs
as TO offer the state that price which may
reasonably be expected; nor could the
state itself, in so short period. prop
rrly prepare Cor such employment should
works, or otherwise solely on state ac-
count.
4 number of plans for the employ
ment Of the cOnvicts, have been suggest
ed aud discussed more or less in the pub
lie pre=s. each of which viii doubtless
have advocates IL the general assembly,
and for this reason, believing that the
experience OF the commission in the prac-
t;cai employment OF convict labor. as well
IS its knowledge OF other penal systems.
may be OF some assistance in dealing
with these plans. the commission ventures
10 offer q few suggestions thereon
Whatever legislation is proposed, IL VIII
be insisted by some that no employment
should be authorized which will bring
convict labor into competition with free
labor, a sentiment which has everywhere
a large and respectable following, deserv-
ing careful consideration. Therefore. in
vided into two classes, those wherein no
such competition is supposed TO exist
and those wherein il IS admitted.
Must Compete With Labor.
In the outset it should be borne in mind
that there is no productive employment.
wherein convicts may be engaged which
will not, more or less, compete with free
labor.
That when such employment Is unpro-
ductive, however laborious may be the
work. Il loses that wholesome lesson
taught in the judgment pronounced upon
the first criminal, 'in the sweat Of thy
face shall thou eat bread"
That Il is now conceded by all penolog-
lists that productive employment is abso-
lutely essential to a. reformation of the
criminal He may be required TO grind
at the crank. day after day, or to tread
the wheel, which operates no Industrial
machinery; he may carry heavy stones
from one point TO another. only In turn
10 carry them back again, but because he
realizes that I'm such labor the only ele-
ment involved is punishment for his crime,
he would still remain a criminal, pau
per. a vagabond. a burden upon society
who, while undergoing punishment, learns
no salutary lesson Of industry.
That the greatest good TO the great
est number" Is one Of the cardinal doc
trines OF good government. which would
be subverted when for the protection
OF few who were engaged in this or
that pursuit, the burden OF taxation is
made heavier upon all. that felons may be
supported in idleness or in unproductive
labor.