The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-03-15

ISSUE lHc question is altogether the
most important that the people o.
Michigan have been called upon to de-.
eide IN many years. and its proper so.
luton calls for painstaking study and
consideration. AS the matter now
stands it is unlawful according to the
present state constitution as recently
interpreted by the supreme court. to
teach convicts in Michigan prisons tc
produce any commodity the principal
supply of which for consumption in
this state is not imported from other
cities o. countries.
Prohibition Very Sweeping.
II will be seen. upon little refcc
ton. that the prohibition noted is very
sweeping. It covers pretty much
everything for which the state pro
duccs n market sufficiently broad TO
make it advisable to have il produced
in the prisons. The two propositions
now engaging tho attention of the leg
islators-the manufacture Of binder
Irvine and the quarrying and breaking
Of trap rock for highway PURPOSES
would not altogether give employment
to more than 80 per cent of the con.
victS even if conducted upon a more
extensive scale than anyone ut pres,
ente contemplates. This would still
leave Il great number of prisoners I'm.
employed. and lack of employment
means not only II heavy cost of main
tcnancc (Which the taxpayers will not
hail with delight. but also illness. in.
sanity and death Of convicts. This is
is the history of all such cases.
Whether Michigan is to have an OK.
perience Of this nature depends upon
the action of its electors ut the April
election. Both houses have passed the
joint resolution. introduced by Senator
Peek Of Jackson, proposing an amend
ment to the constitution eliminating
the prohibition mentioned. thereby per-
hitting the cOnvicts to be employed
to the best advantage. If the proposed
amendment is ratified ut the polls. il
will. Of course. be embodied in the
draft of the new constitution to be
made by the constitutional revision
convention soon to be held. It is be-
lieved by many that those persons who
have been instrumental in forcing the
recent Interpretation Of the constittl-
ton in this respect will not hc slow to
enter emphatic protest if the result
proves to he greatly increased appro-
priations for the support of the pris-
ons and asylums for the insane
Prison Binder-Twinc Plant.
The campaign for the bill making an
appropriation for prison binder Irvine |
plant is progressing favorably in spite |
of the vigorous efforts OF the Irvine |
trust to defeat the project. Petitions |
for the passage of the bill are being |
received in increasing numbers. and !
they come from all classes of citizens, |
little stock apparently being taken in |
the threat of the trust that ii controls |
all twinemaking machinery. and con-
sequcntly the state will not he able |
to purchase the necessary equipment |
Governor Warner Is actively urging |
the passage Of this bill, which is in
the line of his message recommended !
tion and he will doubtless win ont.
For Cheaper Railway Fares.
Last week Witnessed another field |
day on important railroad bills. the
measure consid6ed being one
decreasing railroad fares I'm the lower
peninsula to two cents per mile and |
In the upper peninsula to three cents