New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-07-24
WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH OUR CRIMI-
NAILS

A METHOD TO DOUBLE THE PRODUCT OF con-
yICT LABOR IN PENITENTIARIES, AND AT
THE SANE TIME REFORM THE CONNECTS.
To the Editor Of The N. y Tribune.
SIR: Wel-conducted as they are, relatively, our
PeIiteptiaIies are far from being what their name
pronset-houses for penitence and reform; and they
never will become 60 until more humane principles
shall govern the work which convicts are compelled
to do. Work is the right arm of civilization it is
mUe-it is the very heart of human wel-beiog and
proeress; al d in proportion to the breadth ana hu-
mainly Of the principles by which il is regulated will
he ROT only its produetiveness but likewise it's re-
6nI o sud eevating influence on the wo'kecs Ia the
r, forming Of criminals not only work be made the
pripcipa meaBs-t is the only means to bring about
That long sought result. a..
lem prompted ut the present moment to open this
rtant subject by seeing in recent English journal
sp account Of the happy effects produced on juvenile
De ipouens through ga;dekwoIk. under the direction
Of genuine, active mot spurious, ihouIhu 81 Phlan
tbr, pisf, Andrew Walker.
, 1pe. nee as city missionary led him to the conclu-
sion ,h. labor was h. best r.orer Trained gardener
m vass ,5 ns dn Pwho seemed
outess Of society to become his ssofeIs nsd %
ben on hon, has tried his experiment SIX have o re-
to their have obtained % ns
OK has .o. signs relspsng into his former evil course
III. in Of the criminal than cutiv.tins plant. and
ausr The BUDDING ming and rpenng Of the fruit
ASSr.w has often had occasion rejoice observing
feeble virtue become 'trons and me .sSns at
eouI Of saeenDg and Of the moral and religious training
with bich he al led IT,"
In The b. autul re suits Of the experiments set on
foot by this LOble man. demonstrated the deep
i himsiory power there is in woIk. From the hearts
# his pa,i. nt-so to call them-Mr. Walker drew the
edicibe for their restoration, aud great elect at
oLoe flowed hom small, simple ,cause; lois anu
-. ~, ~, pt.d m a
made to tell 90 thousands snd TO save nine out OF Ten
Of all who Should be brought within its scope.
Lit similar experiment. he tried in one Ut our Peni-
nLisie,, rot by barely initiating the procedure Oh
Mr. Walker but 10y adopting the principle which
guided Lu, snd combining with it other cognate prin'
cIhs. .,r,h
ibsntvsn Mr.. Walker is aware Labor, 70 DC re-
liner nusl be wiling labor. Through his humane,
active tympaby he discovered one me ans OF makiog IL
willing. With this combine judiciously other means,
al d he reiornatory po~er Of work is 6ouadless.
Within the most hardened inmate Of penitentiafy
III, re are sppetes for willing work. Feed these app
tit spG you begin at once to reform me ctimnai
In cI. are the attayeDess Ut garden-cuture, oy aou
iro her, 10 the Of change OF occupaon
he r.hethrg power Of which Is FELT by SO many VIZ
have little opportunity to practiee ~. a a.av With
il deat eling MOI oony il work be done away .ni
Er. Ak I'D the mass Of inmates into tnany olVi., jna
suorg ,Lese establish competition. iuus ~ oature
NO play sbOiber strong motive foce VI n,naJs f,r
Subciyie again he diysioIs into susne aLangs in
10. subdivision labor and the facilities , =, ~ 1--WE
oc uyaonr BY giving each mao Ig' 'r comps, II ~
M d. Of work dose in copanss ADD IN , eEn 70 these
with other companies: and still ia,ae 10 eaei con-
III an lis product 10 be paid IN
Lin 1ssa s ps9, smsssi Of sp s5 sin
wnIy.tcu," 'n 20 aver The directors aud officers
ataiy ~ - human. sympathy and good will toward
r ,v mates, and, frou being tloo,y ptis'1th ,u.s;
' u. Pa"eu,iary would be changed into cheerful