The suburban citizen., 1902-03-01


Commissioner Of Highways,
| want to say word on how
roads can be much improved before the
great tidal wave Of permanent improve
ment reaches up, for, although it Is
bound to come, we need not stand
back, knee deep in the mud, waiting;
and what Is done In the way of drain
ing - the first Of Importance - and
grazing, and otherwise clearing up
the sides, will all be so much gained
toward the final finish. 1 will give a
little experience Of how l make good
earth turnpike on level piece.
First 1 provided ample drainage,
then, early in the spring, before the
ground was thoroughly settled l back
furrowed to the centre, then narrowed
lengthwise and rolled, which process
1 repeated for the third time, the last
time doing a very thorough job Of
finishing with harrow and roller.
Now, those that never tried it will
be astonished to see how high these
work ings will make road, and, con-
trary to the expectations of some,"
this road settled down hard and
smooth, and made a durable turnpike,
and without a single pain or backache,
as caused by the old scraper method
then in use. Now, the modern wheel
road machine would materially assist.
My purpose in writing this is particu-
larly to deal with another phase of
TN, atnf fo1 lNxyo
cles often published, that is, in relation
to convict labor in competition with
outside labor. The person that is for
tunate enough to keep out Of jail has
no just reason to complain. In the
first place the Jail labor would be en-
ployed to a considerable extent if out
side, or not in JAIL which, of course,
would come in competition with indus
tries in all branches, and when men
have forfeited their liberty there is no
good reason why they should be fed
and clothed at the expense of the State,
for the express purpose of giving the
other part of the community markets
for labor ss well as produce. There is
nothing fair about it. AS the State is
responsible for their keeping, 1t should
be at liberty to use them to the best
possible advantage, to compel them to
help, at least to earn their own living
"a new experience to many, think.
Then the effect on the convicts them
selves is worth any sacrifice to outside
labor, and 1t shows a selfish motive to
even mention or bring up the question.
Again, there is no person outside Of
jail in this country who wants days
work who cannot get it, and at fair
compensation.
AS a matter of fact, many commit
petty offences for the express purpose
of getting into Jail, in order to get their
winters board. If they were COM
PEELED to break stone, saw wood or
shovel snow in a chain gang am sure
many would prefer to board them
selves. AS have said, it is a weak,
selfish argument to be harping about
the employment of convict labor as in
damaging competition with outside EN-
ployment-for the tax paid to support
this idle class will more than offset the
difference OF being employed in jail or
out.
Criminals, even, have some self-re-
spect, and think many a young man,
if loaded into a wagon and carried to
some distance and put to work ditch
ing, or on other road work, where he
would not be shielded from public gaze
behind the bars, would resolve "If 1
live to get out Of this, l will work out
my own road tax as long as | live"
A. B. c., In the New York Tribune.