The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-07
EQUAL SUFFRAGE
IS NOT FAVORED
Resolution Defeated After Pro-
longed and Spirited
Discussion.
LEGISLATURE IS CRITICIZED
Action in Refusing 70 Stop
Hiring Out of Convicts Is
Condemned.

Especial TO The Times-Dispatchl
Lynchburg, Va. February 6.-The
convention OF the Virginia Farmers
Educational and COOPERATIVE Union
here to-day refused TO adopt reso-
luton favoring equal suffrage for wo-
men. but adopted another criticizins
the Virginia Legislature for not pro-
hibiting convict labor in the state
Penitentiary. The union also refused
to prohibit its officers or officers OF
the county or local unions from being
candidates for political Offices. Final
adjournment was taken late to-day.
The feature OF the morning session
of the convention was an attack on
the Union Star, the official organ Of
the union, which is published at Brook
neal by Thomas r.. Steele. Some or the
members present, according 10 reports
drifting from the executive meeting,
/ took occasion 10 disagree with some
Of the editorial stands taken by the
Star during the past few months, ana
when this bobbed up on the noor or
the convention this morning IL started
a warm debate IT is reported, how
ever, that Editor Steele was upheld by
a majority of the delegates. and that
no part Of the debate Will appear IN
the records OF the convention
The following was adopted relative
to the employment of convict labor In
the State Penitentiary:
Whereas, for years the working peo-
pie Of our cities have been harassed
and enslaved through what is general
" termed the contract convict labor
system under which the convicts de-
tanned at the State Penitentiary have
been leased out 10 private corporations
for a few cents per day, and their
products placed upon the market in
competition with the product of free Ia
Dor, the result of which has been ruin
Gus 10 the men and women employed in
our factories and degrading and de-
moralizing TO the prisoners themselves;
and
Whereas. the Prison Board. acting
under the authority of the last session
of the General Assembly. has recently
entered into a contract with the Star
Clothing Company of St Louis. Mo. ca
corporation foreign to this state, and
one which has shifted its operations
to Virginia after having been practical
" driven out OF the State OF missouri
for its cruelties and injustices. II not
indeed barbarities, practiced upon the
unfortunate prisoners OF that state
over which il had cOntroD, under
which the convicts will be used in the
manufacture of shirts and overalls,
thus bringing them into direct compe-
tition with the women and girls en-
ployed in this industry; and
Whereas. these convicts may be
employed to advantage, both TO the
State and 10 the convict, III various
employments under the direct control
of the State, such as the improvement
of our public roads. the grinding OF
! limestone, etc; therefore. be II.
Resolved, That the Farmers Edu-
cationaI and Cooperative Union OF
America, Virginia Division. in annual
convention assembled, hereby con-
dennis the action OF the last General
Assembly in refusing TO abolish this
system. though its abolition was de-
manded by all classes OF dtizens of
the Commonwealth; and that 1t con-
demns the Prison Board for entering
into the aforementioned contract
with the Star Clothing Company and
be IL further
"ResoIved, That We heartily COM
mend the action of the executive
boards of the Virginia Federation OF
Labor and our own organization in
taking this matter into the courts to
have the constitutionality OF the law
under which this system has been
continued determined: and be IL fur
Their
Resolved. That We cosf>.nena that
portion OF the press OF the State which
has given US its support in this fight
Signed. Executive Board Virginia
Moderation of Labor. Executive Board
F. Z. and c L. Il \. Virginia Divi-
sion.
The resolution introduced Tuesday
by Editor Steele favorinS Womans
Suffrage came up for consideration.
and after a prolonged and spirited dis
cussion, the paper was Debated.