in calling the attention of the people to the importance of a prompt and truthful compliance with the provisions of the law and the wishes of the Commissioner, are solicited. The Commissioner desires it to be distinctly understood that the names of persons filling out blanks, or those who furnish the bureau with information through correspondence, will not be made public, but, on the other hand, will be treated with the utmost confidence; and he appeals to all classes of citizens for a vigorous and industrious co-operation in carrying out section 2 of the law, which makes it his duty to "collect, assort, systematize and present in annual reports to the Legislature, within ten days after the convening thereof in each year, statistical details relating to all departments of labor in the State, especially in relation to the commercial, industrial, social and sanitary condition of workingmen, and to the productive industries of the State." CHARLES F. PECK, Commissioner. The purpose of the Commissioner in calling the attention of the editorial fraternity to this subject is to enlist, and if possible to secure the influence of the entire press of the State, in aiding him to carry to a successful termination the intent of the law. Without an exception, as far as I have been able to learn, the experience of Commissioners in the several different States having similar bureaus has been that the people, for varied reasons, have failed to respond to the requirements of the law. Particularly has such been the case the first year. Employees have feared to answer, through an apprehension that it might disturb their business relations with employers; others were ashamed to answer, while many refused because they thought they could not be compelled to answer; and farmers, in many instances, refused to comply through a suspicion that it was a covert scheme to obtain a valuation of their lands and revenue, with a view to increased taxation. By calling the attention of your readers, editorially, to this subject, and briefly stating the great good that must result to all classes from a prompt and correct response in filling out and returning the blanks, you will not only be doing the State a service, but will confer a great favor upon Yours, very respectfully, CHARLES F. PECK, On June 9, two days subsequent, the following circular-letter was mailed to the secretaries of the different labor organizations throughout the State: STATE OF NEW YORK: BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, ALBANY, June 9, 1883. } Το DEAR SIR-The undersigned, Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, takes pleasure in informing your organization that he has fully decided to enter upon a thorough investigation of the subject of convict labor. To this end, and with a view to place himself in possession of all information possible, he most respectfully invites your order to lay before this bureau, for its earnest consideration, any and all suggestions which, in its judgment, are best calculated to insure an intelligent basis from which to obtain all facts bearing on this important question. The Commissioner will be pleased to receive the views of your order, either through a duly authorized delegation in person, or an official communication in writing; and assures you that one or both will receive that consideration to which the opinion of all honest classes of citizens, capitalist and laborer alike, are justly entitled. A favorable reply is respectfully asked on or before July 1, as the time in which to make the investigation and submit a report is necessarily limited. I have the honor to be, Yours, very respectfully, CHARLES F. PECK, Quite general action was taken by the labor organizations in reply to the above, which action was officially communicated to the Commissioner by letter, while several of the orders sent duly authorized delegations to Albany to present their respective views in person. Of the views presented, the suggestions made, the advice given and the multitudinous panaceas urged, I shall speak at a later stage of the report. PRISON CONTRACTS. As a basis upon which to begin an investigation of this subject, I addressed a letter to the Hon. Isaac V. Baker, Jr., Superintendent of State Prisons, requesting him to furnish me certified copies of existing contracts for convict labor, made by him or his predecessor in office, between the State and outside parties. To this request, that official responded promptly. In addition, I also sent a similar communication to the superintendents of the Elmira Reformatory, the New York and the Western New York Houses of Refuge, and the several county penitentiaries of the State. All of these officials responded with more or less promptness, and accompanying this report-and as a part of the same -I herewith transmit, for your earnest consideration, true copies of these con tracts. I would also call your attention to the following correspondence between the Commissioner and the Attorney-General and Comptroller, which will explain itself: STATE OF NEW YORK: BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, Hon. LESLIE W. RUSSELL, Attorney-General, Albany, N. Y.: SIR--I have the honor to submit the following, and to most respectfully ask for as early a reply as convenient: Section 77, of article second, of an act entitled "An act for the government and discipline of county and State prisons, and the conduct and treatment of prisoners therein," contains on pages 2611-12 of Banks and Brothers' seventh edition of Revised Statutes the following provision: "Provided, however, that no such contract shall be executed by said agent and warden of either prison, which shall contain any stipulation on the part of the agent and warden to accept any less than full contract price (which shall be the price per day only) for the labor and services of any of the convicts referred to in said contract, or that said convict shall execute any specific amount of labor per day, per month or year, or that they shall have or possess any particular degree of skill on the trade or business at which they are to be employed," etc. * * * Would a contract made by the agent and warden of either of the State prisons, and which contained the following clauses, be valid or void? "The classes that will be required by the said party of the second part are as follows: Moulders, mounters, nickel-platers, cleaners, grinders, pattern-makers, polishers, melters, patternfitters, carpenters, machinists, shippers, blacksmiths, japanners, clerks, laborers, engineers and tinsmiths." * * * * "It is mutually understood that in any case where a man so furnished to the said party of the second part shall, after a reasonable trial, be found unfitted for the work, that another shall be substituted in his place." The same section of same act further provides, "and provided further, that no such contract shall be awarded by the agent and warden, or be valid in law if it run for a longer time than five years from the time when it is by its terms to commence," etc. * * * Would a contract made by the warden and agent of either of the State prisons, and which contained the following clause, be valid or void "It is mutually understood and agreed that the same shall terminate on the 28th day of February, 1887, thus being for a term of six years, from March 1, 1881." [Sen. Doc. No. 13.] The same section of same act further provides, "and if it shall not contain a stipulation on the part of the contractor or contractors to pay the contract price for the labor and services therein specified, monthly, on the first day of each month, to the agent and warden, at his office at the prison," etc. * * * * * * Would a contract made by the agent and warden of either of the State prisons, and which contained the following provision, be valid or void?" The payments to be made in cash on or before the twentyfourth day of each month." The same section of same act further provides, "and every such contract shall likewise contain a stipulation that the State will not be held responsible for any loss sustained by fire on the part of any contractor or contractors." Would a contract made by the agent and warden of either of the State prisons, and which did not contain the above cited provision, but did contain the following clause, be valid or void? "Also to keep the aforementioned buildings in good repair, and in case any of them shall be injured by fire or other casualty, they shall be immediately repaired or rebuilt at the cost and charge of the said party of the first part," i. e., the State. Is there any provision of law giving the agent and warden of either of the State prisons authority to erect or rebuild, at the expense of the State, any building or storehouse for the use of any parties with which the State has a contract, without an act of the Legislature authorizing the same to be done? I have the honor to be, HON. LESLIE W. RUSSELL, Attorney-General, Albany, N. Y.: SIR-I beg to include the following questions among those sent you in my communication of the 21st: Has section 77 of article second of an act entitled "An act for the government and discipline of county and State prisons, and the conduct and treatment of prisoners therein," been in part or wholly repealed by any subsequent legislation? Is section 2, chapter 465 of the Laws of the State of New York, of 1863, still in force? I have the honor to be, Yours, very respectfully, CHARLES F. PECK, Commissioner. STATE OF NEW YORK: BUREAU OE LABOR STATISTICS, Hon. IRA DAVENPORT, Comptroller, Albany, N. Y.: SIRI most respectfully ask that you will furnish this department, at your earliest possible convenience, information as to whether any of the following-named firms, now having contracts with the State for convict labor, have now on deposit with you as Comptroller, and in pursuance of section 2, chapter 465 of the Laws of the State of New York, 1863, "a sum of money not less than $500." Perry & Co., Bay State Shoe and Leather Co., Mahaney & Stern, Foxwell & Jones, or Jones & Merritt, Hayden & Smith, Dunn, Barber & Co., Auburn Collar Co., Sheldon & Co., New York Clothing Co. I have the honor to be, Hon. CHARLES F. PECK, Commissioner of Labor Statistics, Albany, N. Y.; DEAR SIR-I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 21st and 22d instants, and in reply thereto would say that the questions propounded require careful examination, and that such an examination will be made and an answer given thereto as soon as my duties will allow me to make such examination as the questions deserve. Very respectfully yours, LESLIE W. RUSSELL, Attorney-General, per DENNISON. STATE OF NEW YORK: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL, ALBANY, June 26, 1883. CHARLES F. PECK, Esq., Commissioner of Labor Statistics, Albany, N. Y.: DEAR SIR-I am in receipt of your favors of the 21st and 22d insts. I am not quite certain whether the questions set forth at length in the letter of the 21st inst. refer to existing contracts or not. If |