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

The legislature of New York, I'm obedi-
ence to this sentiment. a few years ago
undertook TO withdraw the convicts from
competition. in consequence of which their
employment was restricted TO so limited
a sphere that Il was found necessary,
in order to prevent their enforced idle
ness. with all Of its resultant evils. to
employ them in learning modern languag-
es. drawing and other fine arts. while they
were maintained by taxation laid upon all
classes. including those whom it was in
tended TO protect The other extreme
was reached when they were subsequent
ly authorized to be employed in manufac-
turing everything. on state account, which
were used by the state institutions. mu-
inequalities. and other territorial divisions
OF the government. such as uniforms,
boots and shoes for the state militia, and
city police furniture and building ma
teriaI for public buildings. school supplies.
desks. etc, thus coming in competition
directly with many hundred skilled labor
ers of different vocations. who had for
merly manufactured such articles.
Ard such has been the history OF ex-
IRENE legislation i'm many other states
where conviets were confined within
walls; but II is not probable that any
one viii advocate their employment with
in walls at either productive or unpro-
ductive labor. at present, I'm this state.
Two plans have been suggested and dis
cussed for their employment outside of
walls, at labor apparently non-compet-
ing. viz. the extension of the state road
from Atlanta to the sea. and the build
ing OF public highways. and both have
much to commend them to public favor
on account Of great advantages which the
state would ultimately derive therefrom.
Extending State Road.
ownership of railroads which. though oft
en- discussed, is still open to serious ar
gument on both sides. il should be remem-
bered that the building of this railroad
would be a productive employment. ere
ating property worth many thousands of
dollars. largely with convict labor, which
would Immediately and forever compete
with invested capital of an amount larger
perhaps than that invested in any other
business IN the state. owned by as large
a class of people as those engaged in any
other profession or trade. who are en-
titled under the law TO equal rights and
equal protection with all other classes.
IT should also be remembered that this
plan viii call for an immediate expendi-
ture OF large sums of money for mainten-
ance OF the cOnvicts and the equipment
necessary TO undertake so great an en-
terprise, which must be raised by taxa
and every class OF property owners in the
state and ultimately. indirectly. upon
every class of wage earners. So this plan,
which seems 70 be non-competing. after
all In reality completes as strongly as
any which could be suggested.
Should this plan meet with the APP
prevail Of the general assembly IL must
nevertheless. make other provisions for
their employment after this work has
been completed. which would probably
not exceed twelve months, II only a part
are so used. In either event the cost
would be approximately the same.
A conservative estimate made by a
railroad contractor. for equipment alone
TO employ the entire body OF conyicts is
500. 600. while the expenditure for main
tenance. including food. clothing. guarus
hire, transportation. medical supplies,
etc. would amount to as much more per
annum. making total expediture OF $500.
600 the first year for grading alone. To