Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1872-12-13

When we remember that the Jails anu
prisons Of our country are numoereu "
thousands and their inmates by tens Oh
thousands. and that really decent, well-or-
dered and properly conducted County jan
is almost a thing unknown; that most oil
the jails and prisons are schools oil crime,
horrible dens in which the wretched ana
deprayed inmates are made still more
wretched BY untold abuses, and stili more
deprayed by communicating influences, ana
that the great public know nothing and
care nothing Of what goes ON IN these MOI
beds of vice. shut out as they are OF neces-
sity from the public eye, we know OF lie"
things more disheartening to contemplate
/ than our prison system, if system 1t can be
called, which is without system let there
is cheer and comfort even in competitor
with this subject, in the thought that phil
anthropic and able men are organized and
Mt work, to bring about change. There Is
such Il society as the - National Prison As
ISOLATION Of the United States, and 1t holds
its second annual meeting, at Baltimore,
commencing Tuesday, January 2lst, 1873.
Hon. Horntio Seymour, President Of the
Association, will preside at its sessions and
deliver nm opening address. The Cores
bonding Secretary, DR.. Wines, will present
his annual report, devoted mainly to re-
view of the first great work of the ASsocia-
tion-the international Penitentiary Con
gress of London, which has taken its place
in history as one Of the most remarkable, as
| it is likely to prove one of the most useful,
international gatherings the world has ever
seen. Standing Committees, on Criminal
Law Reform, Prison Discipline, Care Of
Discharged Prisoners, Juvenile Delinquent
CIV. etc, will present their Reports. Inter
esting and valuable papers are expected
from several corresponding members Of the
Association in Europe, particularly from
NJ. Dcmetz. the iilustrious founder of the
Juvenile Reform School of Mettrai, which
Lord Broughnm called one of the chief
glories Of France from Mis- Mary Car
penter, perhaps the most distinguished OF
living female philanthropists, who has been
visiting the penal and reformatory e'tab-
lishments on the Continent; and from Sir
Walter Crofton. the organizer Of the Croft
ton Prison System One great feature will
be a body of special reports on the prevent
i've. reformatory. and penal institutions and
work of the different States prepared by
competent hands. from all the States OF the
Union. The circulars announcing the
meeting, one Of which i, before Us, invite
all officers Of prisons and reformatories, all
secretaries and members Of Board, Of State
Charities. Social Science and Prison Socie-
ties. Criminal Judges and Prosecuting
Attorneys. Chiefs Of Police, and the
friend, of improved prison systems and
prison administrations generally to attend.
They SAY there will be room, and welcome,
and work for As many aS find It IN their
heart to respond to thi, call, be the number
what it may
1t Is believed that the work of the Con-
gress. a. the meeting i, styled, can be COM
pleted in three days, and efforts will be
made to secure reduced fares ON railroads
and reduced board at hotels, the result Of
which VIII be duly communicated. We
trust that Vermont will be represented at
this meeting by some Of our intelligent and
philanthropic citizens, Judges and state 5
Attorneys-if our Governor was younger
man. we should hope that be would at
tend-and that in some way the influence
of thi, meeting may be strongly felt IN
thu State, where such influence Is much
] nea1ai