The sun., 1905-08-28
Should Not Convict Labor Support
the Convict's InnOcen Depend ents?

Should Not Convict Labor Support
the Convtct's Innocent Dependents?
The Rev. GEORGE B. WIaHT OF Lam
bertville, who is the newly appointed
State Commissioner OF Charities and
Correction of New Jersey, went before
the annual convention OF the State Fed
Grafton of Labor at Trenton ono day
last week to propose q solution for one
of the most difficult problems in prison
management.
Il wish," said Mr.. WIGHT. shat when.
a man OF family Ia imprisoned the work
that he does in an institution might 60
for the support Of his family, which
otherwise would have to be sent to the
almshouse and supported by the public.
This is suggestion deserving Of atten-
ton. Out Of it might be developed q
scheme for the settlement OF the prison
labor problem. II the money earned
by the convict were to be appropriated
for the support of those dependent upon
him, it is plain the compensation for his
work should be estimated upon q much
more liberal, that is to say, much more
rational basis than it has been in the
past. His toll should be appraised at
something like the market value OF free
labor Of the same class. This would
remove one Of the principal objections
that has always been raised against the
employment Of convicts in the regular
trades.
The labor unions have always repre-
sented that the competition Of men who
were only obliged to earn convict's keep
or lees-with those who not only had
to maintain position Of responsibility
themselves, but also to support wives
and children or other relatives, was
unfair and injurious. If, however, the
market value were to be exacted for
convict's labor, this objection would
entirely disappear. What is more, the
moral argument always advanced, that
it was degrading to honest men to be
obliged to compete with the violators
OF the Law, would also to large extent
be eliminated, since the right OF the
innocent dependents upon the criminal
to live and keep out Of the poorhouse
through the toll Of their natural sup
porters could hardly be questioned. The
merit Of the object to which the con-
vict's toll was devoted would restore to
it a certain modicum Of respectability.
The advantages of Mr.. WIdHr's sug-
gestion from the economic point OF view,
its operation to save innocent persons
from pauperism and the State from the
burden of supporting them, are too plain
to need demonstration.
Mr.. WIGHT's idea may not be abso-
lutely new, nor is he absolutely the first
TO give it public utterance. The note
worthy fact in his case is that his pro-
posal was not only laid before a body
Of organized workmen-one, too, which
has not always been remarkable for it's
sane attitude on labor questions-but
that it was received with considerable
favor by the gathering. The news
papers which reported the proceedings
say that at the close of Mr.. W1oHT's
address there was a. cordial burst of
applause.
No doubt there would be serious diff.
culties in the way Of putting the plan into
operation, But itseems to present none
which might not be overcome by proper
study. For instance, the case Of the
man who had no dependents might be
adjusted by using his earnings for the
support OF himself and associates in the
prison, reserving small percentage to
give him chance in life upon his liberia
tion. No comprehensive scheme is With
out its difficulties, and it is certainly
worth while to work long and hard to
put in force system which offers such
varied benefits both to individuals and
the community.
Even the moral effect On the convict