I am in possession of reports from different States. in which we are informed by the prison authorities that the labor of the convict has been hired out to contractors at from 35 to 55 cents per day. The workshop. steampower. and heating is furnished gratis. If you will consider in addition the amount of labor performed by the convictfor any of you that have ever witnessed them at work will admit that there is more labor ground out of a felon in ten hours than can possibly be expected from a man outside of a prison wall in twelve hours timeand take all the contractors advantages into consideration. you will find a condition of affairs that would even frighten Chinese immigrants. A system that places the labor of an honorable man on an equal footing with that of a felon is infamous and disgraceful. and ought not to be tolerated in a country governed by freemen. Why. if it is continued crime will be encouraged. for a man will steal before he will allow his loved ones to starve for the necessaries of life. and while in prison is he not really in a better condition. for when incarcerated. no matter how worthless the fellow. you must feed. clothe. and keep him warm. and all at the expense of that man who strives to make an honest living.
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immigrants