PENITENTTARY LABOR
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The following circular, addressed to the me-
chanics ofPort Gibson, was handed us Yesterday
for publication.


We heartily approve Of the suggestions which
it contains, and hope the mechanics Of Claiborne
will notvote for any Legislative candidate who is
opposed to Penitentiary Reform. Some Of the
convicts in our State prison are learningthe trade
of brick-laying, others are being made black
smiths Of, others are carpenters, &c. It is too
bad, we think, that the honest and intelligent
mechanics Of our State should be brought into
competition with degraded criminals. The pre-
sent odious system calls loudly for reform.


The Louisiana Penitentiary has been leased
to a Kentuckian, who employs the convicts in
the manufacture of Bagging and Rope, and we
earnestly recommend the adoption Of a similar
policy in this State


TO THE MECHANICS OF THE STATE


OF MISSISSIPPI.


The Columbus Trades Union Society Fan
association of Mechanics respectfully cali your
attention to the present injurious system Of en-
ploying the convicts in our State Penitentiarv
"A system which sends forth upon our commn-
nifty, the Mechanics particularly-the scum and
otEscodring Of the earth. Felons who have serv-
ed the term Of their sentence, and during such
service have necessarily obtained some knowl-
edge OF Mechanical art or trade,-are turned
loose by this State monopoly, and where not
known, are consequently placed upon an equali-
ty with the Industrious and competent Mechanic


This is an evil which needs only the attention
OF our citizens 70 be remedied let us therefore
press the subject upon our candidates for the
Legislature, as on the portion Of them that may
be elected will devove the power Of changing a
system OF which we so justly complain


We would be gratifed to learn that all refec-
ting well disposed citizens of this State are fully
awake to the Importance of this question:
Should the above coincide with your views, we
beg leave to suggest the publication Of this cir
cular in the newspapers Of your county ANY
communication on the subject may be directed
to the Secretary Of the Columbus Trades Union
Society.


Please inform us whether there are any Me-
chanlcal Associations in your county,


COLUMBUS, Mss, September, Ist 1915.