Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-13
PENITENTLiR Y AND REFORMA TOR J
DISCIPLINE.

To the Editor of the Keane6ec Journal;
"The world is moving" One of the proofs
is in the recent Congress on Penitentiary
and Reformatory DISCIPLINE convened in
Cincinnati.
The call was issued by Rev. f. C. Wines,
d. D., Cor Secretary of the New York
Prison Association, a man of broad views and
earnest heart in respect to every interest of
humanity. Probably no man in our country
has given the object of that congress so much
investigation.
There has been no movement in the last
half century, omening more radical change,
and promising more genuine good.
The call was responded to by twenty two
States, Canada, and South America. Two
hundred and thirty were enrolled as members
OF the congress, representing all professions,
and no professions, and many officials, in
Guiding two Governors, one Ex-Governor,
fourteen Wardens, twenty-three Superintend-
ents of Reform Schools, fourteen Chaplains,
five Prison Physicians, and four Matrons.
The Governors of ten States were represent
ed by their deputies. Of the forty State
prisons in the United States, twenty-one were
represented also eight of the twenty-five
Houses of Correction, twenty-three Of the
thirty Reform Schools, four Prison and Jail
Commissions, five Prison Associations,
two Social Science Associations, and six
State Boards of Public Charity. l give these
particulars to show that the conclusions, to
which a body so composed should come to
after week of earnest discussion and intel
ligent conference on all the chief points af-
fecting our criminal institutions, must be en-
titled to the respect and careful consideration
of the law making powers of every Com
monwealth Those conclusions, as far as
possible, are embodied in the platform of
Principles adopted, and since scattered
over the country by the public press. thank
you and other presses of the State for so
promptly giving that platform to the people.
The different articles relating TO the reforma-
tory character to be impressed on prison dis
cipline; the progressive classification of pris-
ons, based on character; the evils of allowing
politics, and consequently fuctuating adj
ministration to control the appointments of
prison officers; the substitution of reforma-
ton for time sentences the i'll effect of
degradation as a part of punishment; the
essentialness of moral and religious instruc-
ton; the industrial necessities in their vari-
Gus aspects, as affecting all classes of Grimm
ais; these and,other articles, thirtv-six in all,
think, touch very vitality the criminal sys-
tenn of our State, or want of system of our
State. The grand, central, all-absorbing idea
and purpose of that Congress, was the uplitt-
ing of the fallen and the security of the inno-
cent; the reform of the criminal, and the
safety of society. The old, barbarous princi-
pie Of "vindictive justice" resorting to cruel
ty, and whatever measures were sternly
penal, and tending to crush and abolish the
struggling manhood of the convict, found
no countenance in the head or the heart of
that body. Meanwhile, they had little breath
or time for criticising the past. 1t was all
needed for the present and future. Expert
ence and thought had demonstrated that there
is more excellent way, and this way they
had set themselves to find and adopt.
l propose to make some points for your
readers, in future paper or two touching the
needed reforms. Truly, &c. KNOX.