Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1906-03-15
THURSDAY, MARCH IS.
CONVICT LABOR ON PUBLIC MON.
WAYS.

In his capacity az chairman Of tn
committee on agriculture, Nationa
Grange, and master Of Ohio Stat
Grange, Mr.. Derthick brought II
ringing resolutions favoring tn
use of convict labor on public high
ways. State and national grange'
have unanimously Endorsed tn,
plan. II is now left for the legisla
lures of various states to provide I
way for such employment of con
victs.
The cost of building good roadI
is great. The cost resulting from
poor ones is greater. But road i'm
provement must take it's chancei
with other demands at the public
treasury. Not all are meritorious
Millions have been appropriated
from which the public has derived
but a modicum of good. To build
good roads will require many mil
lions of dollars, and state and ma
tional aid is invoked. Road build
ing must take IL chance with firmly
intrenched demands for aid. Better
roads we must have.
There is an abundant and cheap
source of labor that can be utilized
with benefit to all. The cost OF
maintaining criminals in our pris'
ons and reformatories is great. In
many cases the labor of these Grim.
male is contracted by priv rate con.
Germs at a low figure, while the
state supports the workers. This
cheap prison labor does not benefit
the public, which supports IL, but
inures to the benefit of the few EN-.
ployers. This labor comes in con-
tact with free labor and works that
much i'll. The criminal has Sin ned
against society by his crime, has
entailed burden upon the tax.
payer in giving him the opportuni.
ty of defence at the expense of the
public; most often, and az long az
he is an inmate of the prison, must
be supported at public expense.
The cost of this support has been
greater in the prison than on pub.
lie bodybuilding. Inasmuch az he
is burden to society he should be
made to help bear the burden he
has entailed. His work on the pub.
lie roads is benefit to all. Mr.. Der.
thick asserted that the cost of
maintaining criminals at work on
the roads had averaged about
thirty.three and one.third cents per
day.
Imprisonment under favorable
circumstances has not proven a
sufficient deterrent from crime. II
would be criminals were sure that
at least a part of their sentence
would be to pound rock in a ball
and.chain gang they would hest.
tate far longer before com hitting
any crime. know that it is urged
by the sentimentalists that he
should have every opportunity to
grow into a better life. True, aud
what better incentive than the open
air, the contact with nature In her
varied and beautiful former Here
is sentiment for you, if that is your
plea. But II is an ethical and econ.
omical question which is before the
people. The criminal has sinned
against society. Let him expiate
his sin in way that will benefit
the general public.
There is a general unanimity of
opinion upon this subject Let us
all work together and at once for
this reform. Bills will be intro:
duced before the various legisla-
lures. Support them Ii they are In
proper form. If not, get bills intro.
duced that are in shape, and then
work for them.
We have always claimed that
county prisoners should be com.
PEELED to work upon the public
highways of the county, and thus
in measure "pay for their keep"
If such a system could be put into
force in this county there would be |
fewer men going to jail just for the
of the thing. As Il 10 now, lots Of
fellows 60 to jail In order to get q !
good living without being COM
PEELED to work for Il.
"
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