The number employed in other service than that of the state, is eighty-four; and the total value of their services, as we have before stated, amounts to $6,922 70. It is further contemplated during the present year, to let a number of convicts to be employed in the business of cabinet making, should sufficient inducement be offered for that purpose.

The committee are here led to the inquiry referred to them by the resolution of instruction-whether the employment of convict labor is detrimental to mechanical and manufacturing industry?-and if so, how this may be best obviated?

Your committee judge that there can be no weighty objections to the employment of convicts in such mechanical labor as the state may require for her own benefit; and especially those branches which shall least interfere with the mechanical industry of the state, if it is found necessary for the support of [the prison. If the convicts are maintained in idleness at the expense of the community, apart from all moral considerations, the people would be compelled to bear the burden imposed by the vices of a few. It is certainly a great step in political science, that by constraining the vicious to support not only themselves, but those immediately concerned in the infliction of punishment, we are enabled to vindicate the law without taxing the public, and to make the offender support himself while undergo. ing the punishment of his crime.

It has sometimes been urged that if the convicts were not employed in industrial pursuits, their support would encourage mechanical and manufacturing industry in the community where they were placed. But while this is true, it surely was never contemplated that the state

should erect an institution for the punishment of felons, and that the people should be taxed to support them in idleness, because such support would thereby benefit a few. Such a practice would impose an onerous tariff upon the mass, for the benefit of indivduals, a doctrine at war with democratic principles, and the sound maxims of political economy. On the other hand, the employment of convict labor in the mechanical branches when not required for the support of the prison, is no less derogatory to the dignity of labor than prejudicial to the best interest of the community. Monopolies of every description are to be viewed with a jealous eye, as conflicting with the equal rights and common privileges of individuals: And no monopoly could be more anti-democratic in principle, or more mischievous in its consequences, than one where the vices of mankind are brought to bear in opposition to the honest industry of the artizan.

The labor of the convict is compulsory. He must work for such a sum as his taskmaster is disposed to give, as free labor cannot compete with labor thus obtained; the inevitable consequences must be to drive industry from the field, and compel the mechanic and the manufacturer to retire before the rogue and the felon. This cheap labor may indeed benefit the consumer, but it is at the expense of the producer, and if maintained by the authority of the state, the state becomes guilty of the suicidal policy of ruining the interset of a portion of her citizens to benefit, in a very trifling degree, the other portion of them. In this the state may arbitrarily locate her prison in any of our numerous thriving villages: she may employ her convicts in supplying not only their own wants, but the wants of the entire community, and thus in a few years will snatch the bread from the mouths of her artizans, and compel them at whatever sacrifice, to dispose of their property, and seek elsewhere the livelihood of which she has deprived them. This principle is, to the minds of the committee, fraught with gross injustice to that class of the community who add so much to the wealth and prosperity of a state or nation. The committee therefore are constrained to insist that the state ought not to speculate on a capital of vice; or array the compulsory labor of the felon in deadly hostility to the struggles of honest toil, while at the same time they admit that if the institution can be rendered a self sustaining one, without imposing a burden upon the people to support it, it will have then answered the great object of its creation.

As to the remaining inquiry: What method should be adopted to remedy the evil attendant on the employment of convict labor? The committee would suggest for the consideration of the House, that this labor should be confined as far as possible to such occupations as the state may require for her own wants; and if the amount of labor becomes at any time greater than the necessity of the state requires, that it should then be directed to such business as will least interfere with the interest of our citizens. It is well known that when convicts are suffered to learn a trade in prison,such as are usually carried on in the community, they, on leaving prison, necessarily seek the same employment, consequently mingle more or less with the mechanics of the same trade, and the virtuous youth comes in contact with, and is often compelled to labor with the convicted felon.

If the state retains her public works, a wide field is opened for industrial labor in the fabrication of cars and machinery, in preparing the materials for the construction of car-houses, reservoirs, &c., which would increase the net proceeds of the roads, and thus be of benefit to the entire community. The culture of silk, too, would af ford a branch of employment not at present opposed to any existent interest. A, little reflection would suggest a multitude of objects which might be judiciously subserved without materially conflicting with any branch of mechanical or manufacturing industry. As no appropriation is asked for by the inspectors of said prison, your committee do not deem it necessary to recommend any in this report. All of which is respectfully submitted.

MARCUS WAKEMAN,

Detroit, February 16, 1846,

Chairman.

1846,

No.5.

Proposition of J. H. Titus, to lease from the State the Central Railroad.

HON. ISAAC E. CRARY, Speaker of the House of Representatives: The undersigned respectfully submits the following proposition for

the consideration of the legislature, to wit:

1

The undersigned proposes to lease of the state of Michigan, the Central Railroad for the term of one year from and including the first day of April next, together with the entire stock of said road, consisting of locomotives, cars, ware houses, horses, harness, shops, tools, and all and singular, the fixtures and all other articles and property pertaining to the running of said road, now in use and owned by the state.

In consideration therefor, the undersigned will covenant to pay the sum of one hundred and forty-four thousand dollars, in twelve equal monthly instalments, in advance as follows:

Twelve thousand dollars on the the 25th day of March next, and twelve thousand dollars on or before the last day of each of the following months respectively, to wit: April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January and February.

The undersigned, submits the foregoing proposition, subject to the following conditions and stipulations, to wit:

Should the state sell or make any other disposition of said road during the before mentioned period, the provisions of the lease as to the length of time may terminate, provided the undersigned shall have at least thirty days notice prior to giving up possession of said road, and provided further, that the undersigned shall have had the use of said road at least eight months from and after the said first day of

April ad

The United States Mail to be transported by the undersigned, agreeably to the contract now existing between the State and the P. O. Department.

The undersigned shall pay all the expenses of running and repair

ing said road, and shall have the entire control of the same without restrictions, provided, the price of passage shall not exceed the rates now charged by the State; and the undersigned will obligate himself, that in no case shall the rates on flour and wheat exceed thirty-eight cents per barrel from Jackson to Detroit, and pro rata for all other distances over and under according to the usual rates of charging freight on Railroads.

The undersigned, and all other persons employed by him, or in any way interested with him in its management, may be expressly prohibited from engaging in the purchase and sale of the agricultural productions of the State for the purpose of transporting the same on said road, during the time he or they may be interested in the same, "either directly or indirectly.

At the expiration of the lease, the undersigned will relinquish to the State the possession of said road, together with all and singular the locomotives, cars and other property received by him from the State, pertaining to said road, in as good condition and repair as when so received, excepting the natural wear and decay. The fuel that "may be on hand at the different stations on the said first day of April, isuit.

may be measured and delivered to the undersigned, who will, at the expiration of the lease, return the same in quantity and quality, or its equivalent in money.

Any neglect or refusal on the part of the undersigned to comply with the provisions of the lease shall be a sufficient cause for the state by its agent or agents duly authorized, to terminute said lease and resume possession of said road and all other property belonging to the

same.

The present ex-officio members of the board of internal improvement, or any two duly authorized persons, shall have the power on the part of the state, to settle all questions of equity or interest that may exist between the undersigned and the state.

For the faithful performance of all the conditions of the Tease on

his part, part, the undersigned will execute to the state a bond with five or

more sureties to be approved by the duly authorized agents of the state, in the penal sum of fifty thousand dollars.

The undersigned will also submit a further proposition for the lease of said road on the following terms, viz: The undersigned will lease ou Presko T