Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-01-17
AS 70 CONVICT LABOR.

iic DditliilOIc oltil presents an IN
terestiny article in regard to the util-
zation OF convict labor Our contem-
pora:y's investigation shows some in
lcresting facts. For instance, we are
informed that most OF the Southern
States have managed not only to COM
pei the convicts to pay for their own
maintenance. but III many instances
arc rcaDlns profits from their work
Georgia still holds To The CID SYSTEM
OF leasing out convicts to railroads and
private parties. 1t is pointed out that
while this insures an income more
than sufficient to pay the expenses of
the prisoners. abuses have occurred
where the conyicts were under private
control ANA the health of the prisoners
has in some instances not been prop
criy regarded
South Cardinals State prison has
Just completed a very successful year
In North Carolina the report of the
directors shows that the penitentiary
has made Il net profit OF $4,000 the
past year. 1t is proposed to use $50
ohO OF this sum Is establish a reforma-
tory for young criminals, an institution
which is badly needed in North Caro-
lima, according to reports from that
State The Legislature, howev er, has
thus far refused to make an approDria-
ton for q reformatory Connected with
the penitentiary is an immense system
OF State farms, and the sale of the cot
ton, corn and peanuts produced is the
principal source of the prisons rcve.
nue.
of the convicts in the South were used
in building railroads, but now, when
most OF the important lines needed
have been built, new field must he
found for convict labor. In several
States short-term convicts are allowed
to be sentenced to the county roads
instead of the penitentiary This poll
cy was successfully inaugurated at
Charlotte. n. G.. number of years
ago. The convicts we're placed under
competent superintendent, and by
their labor that county-Meckl
probably has the finest system of
nlacaaamizei county roads in the
South.
In New York and some other States
such clamor has been raised against
allowing convicts to enter the same
helds IN which free labor is employed
that the prisoners are required to do
nothing. This entails an enormous ex
pense upon the Slate and in a number
OF instances prisoners are said to have
gone crazy from the strain OF enforced
idleness. Not long ago three prisoners
presented petitions for release on the
ground that this likeness was a .'cruel
ant unusual punishment and that
such pnnishmcnts wcro prohibited
Our Baltimore contemporary con
Guides it's interesting dissertation upon
this important subject by declaring
that the country needs nothing more
! than 1t does good roads In the build
ing OF improved highways the convicts
could be used without being brought
into competition with free labor. In.
stead OF burden and expense they
could be turned into a source of profit
TO the State. and system of roads
could be constructed that would be of
immense benefit for generations 70
come .
!
Virginia has a law providing for the
| lease upon reasonable terms OF State
convlcts to any county desiring to i'm
prove its roads. Few Of the counties
| have taken advantage Of the provis.
ions OF the law. 1t is possible that a
successful application of the system in
those counties making the experiment
| Will cause other counties to follow the
example. 1t is not probable, however
| that convict labor will he properly an.
piled to the improvement of the roads
OF the Old Dominion until the work is
| done under the supervision Of the
State and as a part of the well planned
scheme for the building Of a better
system of highways throughout the en-.
| tire Commonwealth.
Music may be employed as a cura.
tive agent, the National Society Of
| Therapeutics has decided. But il is a