Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-29
RICHMOND PRINTERS PROTEST
SHOP IN STATE PENITEN7IARY
Complaint Filed With Governor Davis Dcnounccs In
novaon as "Pcrnicious Travesty on art of
Arts" and Financial Burden on Stale.

Denouncing the innovation ms per
nicious" and II travesty upon the hon.
orcd traditions of the craft as we'll as
being an unwise financial venture
upon N" part OF the state. formal
protest against the Introduction OF a
printing plant into the State Peni-
| Tertiary has been filed with Governor
! Wcs'moreland Davis by Richmond!
Typographical Union. No. %, through
a committee appointed to draft the
protest The protest is signed by
Alex. Il. McCulioch. II. l.. Woody ana
Charles J. Hughes. Jr
The protest follows:
Richmond. Va. Jan. 2. 1921.
Honorable Wcstmorciand Davis.
Governor OF the Commonwealth of
Virginia
Your EXce,lcncy:
The committee Of Richmond Typo
graphical Union Respectfully submits
To YOU. as the chief executive of our
state. tho following statement as be-
ing representative OF the views of
the organized printers Of this city
on the question OF establishing a
printing office inside the walls of the
state Pcniicntiary. wherein convicts
would be instructed in the art o:
Typography:
The historic attitude OF organized
labor. as whole. in Virginia and
throughout the United states. has
been one of relentless opposition to
the competition OF prison-madc goods
with the pro 'uct Of honest labor. AS
nf tir,l.SS
through scores Of years by the or
Sani2cd workers and by those who
appreciated the Justice of their cause
much has been done to mitigate the
evils ut the cOnvict-labor system.
especially in the matter Of the MAX
ing OF contracts with private parties
AN! corporations. for the utilization
Of prison labor in the manufactures OF
various lines OF goods. The tendency.
we realize. has Sravitatcd toward the
canccling Of contracts and the sub
s,itution therefor of work fer the
state, such as the building of roads
and the preparation OF materials
therefor; The establishment of state
farms, whcrcoE foodstuns are pro-
duccd for use in prisons and state
hospitals. and til" manufacture CT
clothing and other articles for these
Statc-owncd and State-administcrcd
institutions.
That a condition OF idlcncss in priS-
ors week in and week out. year in
and year out, would be inhumanc and
dcmoralizing 10 the unfortunate wards
Of society who have transgressed the
law and have been made to pay the
penalty, is beyond all question. Til"
mind Of the convict. as we'll as his
hands. must be employed i. deeper
moral and mental degradation is to
he avcrtcd. PcnoloEists attribute the
major portion OF crime TO ignorance
and iilltcracy. The State owes to
every child and to every citizen the
means whereby ii can attain that
degree of education which is essen
tial to obtaining foothOld in the
struggle for existence. IT the state
fails in its duty. and instead. fosters
ignorance and bluntcd intcllccts,
which are the breeding places OF vice.
then i, is. and deserves to be. re-
sponSiblc for the resultant crime
which places it's victims inside prison
walls. This leads your professionals
10 submit that plain. simple justice
demands, first OF al. that the convict
hc afforded. 10y the state in whose
custody he is. every opportunity to
receive that which has been denied
him, often through no tault Of his
rwn--an education. not confined mere
~ In the three RS" hut courses
which will develop his faculties to
the point that will enable him 10
become q useful member Of society