People ex rel. Russell v. Inspectors & Agent of the State Prison

By the Court,

Copeland, J.

This case arises on the return to a i’ule to show cause why a writ of manda/rrms should not issue, commanding the respondents to desist from teaching to convicts in the State prison the mechanical trade of wagon making, and from manufacturing in said prison wagons with convict labor.

This application is founded upon Section 16, of Chapter 172, of the Revised Statutes of 1846, which is in these words : “No mechanical tx’ade shall hereafter be taught to convicts in the State prison of this State, except the making of those articles of which the chief supply for the…