The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-26
MERCENARY MOTIVES SAID TO
BACK CONTRACT LABOR BILL.
That Chicago Company Employs Representative
Chperfed Leads Debate in the
Illinois House-Bill Engrossment-Salary Bill
Made ecial Order.
BY A STATE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.,

| BY. A STAFF SORkESfONDENI.
Springfield. H., March 25-Charges tina
pecuniary personal interest moves some o
the advocates Of the convict labor bill wer,
made openly upon the floor of the House
when the measure abolishing contract labu
in the Penitentiary was under debate this
morning.
The bill came up as special order o
business. Action upon this question is re
garded as a most important part of thu
work before the Assembly. The labor or
CARNATIONS are demanding such Il bill. ant
crying for relief from competition viii
cheap convict labor.
But the report has been current here thai
certain of the manufacturing interests
wishing either TO be rid of this competitor
so that higher price can be put upor
their product. or foreseeing another source
of profit to them in the system which must
suppiant that now In operation. started the
agitation. and are backing 1t through mem
bers whom they control.
| The bill does away with the use of ma
chimes In the penal institutions. save For th'
manufacture OF such articles as can b.
used by the various State institutions. Suo'
work cannot. it is argued. take up the Ell
| tire time OF the convicts. Therefore. 1t !:
| believed the manufacturers intend to sci
the manufactured or machine sections o
| furniture or other commodity and hav'
them assembled by the hand labor o
the prisoners and repurchased.
| CONTRACTORS FIGHT BILL.
| On the other hand, contractors who have
been profiting largely by doing what might
| he termed a ''jobb.ng'' business in the labcI
| of convicts. are opposed to the bill. Con-
sequently. there was intense interest which
accom- panied the consideration of the meas
ure, aside from the fact that 1t is supported
by an element in The Legislature which
regards 1t ~ an act of good public policy
and a stop requiring the observance OF
the constitutional provision prohibiting con-
tract labor.
Gale Johnson Dem) OF Whiteside County
struck direct at the alleged doodle" fea-
ture of the measure. He referred to the
fact that common gossip has 1t that more
than principle is involved.
He pointed out in what way manufactur-
ers could be interested. Then, leading up
TO particulars he asserted that one of the
members OF the House is reputed to be the
representative of trust directly concerned
the Chicago Furniture Company.
The insinuation was obviously at the ex-
pense of chiperfield of Fulton County He.
mole than any other member. is the author
OF the bill. which, however, was sent TO the
House as committee measure. But he
the committee bill was drawn. and few
changes were made. In answer to John
sons allegations. he jumped from his seat
and. obtaining recognition on question OF
personal privilege, shouted:
CHIPERFIEI-D RESENTS FLING. O.
u wish to take this opportunity TO deny
manner with the Chicago Furniture Com
pany:"
with Haywood Bros. & Wakefield, which is
a part of the furniture trust?"
Chiperfield flushed and answered excited
NO sir. I am not. will say that two
years ago i was employed as attorney in
my n county in two cases by Haywood Bros,
wood Bros. & Waketied?"
Chiperfeld: Il don't think the gentleman
from Whites:de means the full OF his insin-
uatton. but l will add for his Information
that my account for services rendered was
closed with Haywood Rrcs. & Wakefield six
months ago, and that now / have no con-
nection whatever with that frm."
L johnson: Did you not go to New York
TO examine into the system there in use
expenses not paid 81 Haywood Bros.
and did YOU not come back lauding the New
York system?"
QUESTION OF OUTSIDE INTEREST.
Yes" shouted Chiperfield. excitedly. Il
went to New York. But paid my expenses
out out, Of my own pocket. and have not been
johnson: And you represent no outside
interest In this matter?''
Chipertiel ,,;r II have the honor to repre-;
10000 laboring men in this State.
johnson. sarcastically: You take occa-
sSp to sa.e tnse on eyery
johnson: Yes: you will again, when the
next nomination for Attorney General
The latter sally reused a general, laugh.
In the strenuous efforts by the adj listra
ton to beat Sherman for the speatership
were made. Chipers,eld is slated as the
II; -as organization candidate for Attorney
General, Formerly he was Sherman add
herent --.---
NINETY-DAY CLAUSE.
The chief ground for objection to the bill
ninety-day clause. This required that the
large plants for the manufacture of various
at Chester and at Joliet be shut down with
in ninety days, and the prisoners be en-
ployed, as stated above. upon such products
IS are required by the Institutions. To ef-
feet the change within three months is q
physical impossibility.
When the bill was read the second time. |
j. NJ. Gray offered his rem.
edy for the impracticable provision. He |
moved the, adoption of an amendment
the new system in operation as soon as pos |
sible, leaving the date unnamed. For this |
Indy Of Bond County offered a substitute. |
extending the time from three to nine |
months. but requiring that the change be
erected completely by May !, 1904.
Gray and tie Democratic side upheld the |
original amendment. The Republicans and |
the authors of the bill stood for the substi-
tute. Debate upon the point was lengthy |
and full Of repetition, but it was in the
course of this argument that Gale Johnson
assafled Chiperf1eld. Johnson's address was
more than a defense Of the indefinite amend
sentiment Of the farmers III the matter. de-
tlaring that this class was disinterested, II
not opposed, that it meant for them more
taxation. Grays amendment was defeated
and I4indly's adopted.
BENEFIT FOR LABORERS.
The expression OF Clarence barrow in his
defense Of the substitute amendment, may
be taken as the. expression Of labor upon
the bill
mo personal interest,"" said he, could
ngure In the consideration of this bill. We
know that much depends upon our action
On the one hand are large number of
who are anxious to be free |
rom the competition with the convict prod
lets.
Allied with them are a large number of
aboring men, who believe thai to do away
with contract labor in the penitentiafies will
benefit them in wages
Upon the reverse side Of the proposition
been growing rich bartering for the use Of
he labor of the prisoners.
I'VE must be Independent in forming our
We should Judge from the
standpoint Of right and wrong. 1t is inhu-
nan to the prisoner to allow him to be
Fought and sold In the market. 1t Is unjust
o the manufacturer. 1t is unfair to the
aboring man to place him in competition
With the convicts who have no voice in
What wages shall he maid tbap,