The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-17

thrOnged with an assembly out OF the ordinary
character OF public meetings, the gathering being
composed OF ladies and gentlemen representing
various nations who have met to take part In the
long pending International Prison Congress, Of
which this was the opening meeting. Lord Car
narvOn presided, and among those present were
Lord narrowly, Lord Lchfeld, Sir John Paking-
ton Sir Charles Adderley Sir John Karslake, Mr.. J.
J. HILBERT, M. p; Hon. d. Fortescue, NJ P. Sir
Walter Crofton, Mr.. I. Webster, q. G.. Mr. Mlward,
O. @. DIR. Manning (the Roman Catholic Archbishop
OF westmnster), Colonel COlville, and, with large
gathering of well known Englishmen, the follow
Ing
REPRESENTATIVES, OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES
Austria, DR.. F. Frey; Belgium, NJ. Stevens and
NJ. Corr Van der Maeren; France, NJ. Brusen; Den
mark, M. Hoyson, M. Robin, M. Jalllant, and M. de
Colleville; Germany, Baron Won Holtzendorfr Prlvy
Councillor Steinmann, Councillor Petersen, Director
Moss Director G. Exert, DR.. Marquardren (mem-
bers Of the Reichsrath) Dr. Stein, DR.. Bartng, DR..
wiesehahn, Herr Thorough, Councillor; DR.. Var
rentrap, DR.. Alexander spiers, Director Rittner;
anS baron Ma assens! Floss van Hme No.
and M. M. Mess Italy, Ii. Cont de foresta and NJ.
BeltranScaa; Russia, Count S0lOhub Professor
Foyntsky, General Van Armentrofr, and Professor
Sweden M. Gerie and N. G. F. Almguist; switzer.
land, DIR. Guilaume M. Vauchier- CremieuX; Turkey,
Hon. Judge Leavitt, Hon Judge KecEei, Hon Gov,
ern0r Halnes, Dr. Snow, J. r. Chandler and General
dermarean, M. Alexander Ribot, Captain Du Cane
M. Van de weyer, Hon John smale, &c.
LORD CARNARvoN's OPENING ADDRESS.
Lord CARNARvoN, in his opening address, said he
| need make little preface in stating what were the
objects and history of this Conference Its object
was to obtain information, to compare the differ
ent prison systems of different countries, to discuss
the principles and details upon which those sys-
general conclusions. Its history was the history OF
remarkable agreement by the peoples and gov
ernmehts OF many cv WIFE countries on subject
est Importance. The difficulties In the way Of such
an agreement being come to were proverbial, for
there were the preudices and difficulties OF race,
language, institutions, character and climate but
with ali these difficulties facing them he did not de-
spar OF attaining on the part OF those present
some general agreement in respect to the subject
upon which they had met. He was encouraged In
eral characteristics had thrown themselves heartily
into this discussion. Almost every European State
had given the Congress its support: France, EN-
assistance Italy, true to the history Of her own
great jurists, took her part. Belgium had, among
statesmen to the Conepess Hoand with the
sound sense which the English were delighted to
believe was common quality to both countries
Interested also In the Conference. Switzerland
Denmark, all-inquiring and all-embracing Germany.
and, lastly, the United States-a country which,
by numberless experiments, had already con-
tributed so much to the common knowledge drawing
with them to the other side OF the Atlantic the
South American States-were all represented, and
had accepted England as the place OF ting. The
government had refused the Congress assistance
and recognition, and he understood, had even re-
press his regret at this REFUSAL and still more at the
grounds upon which that refusal was made. lie
ordinary voluntary associations, and he was OF
opinion that there was precedent for government
support in the vote given to the statistical Confer
ence. The recognition OF this Congress would
have been q graceful acknowledgment to those
governments which had spared neither time nor
money to send information on this subject, but,
much as he regretted the absence OF governmental
or oifcial recognition, he should not regret 1t
IL were , to De taken as an Illustration OF the
the same way as our prisons were managed By un.
paid magistrates, our semi-crminal industrial
schools by persons interested In them and as the
Discharged Prisoners Aid Societies were man.
aged-upheld by private llberality and support
sae Sa te
and n the foreign guests would only accept the re-
fusa OF the government to work in this Congress In
though unofncial welcome. lie hoped that when
the visitors returned to their own country they
Would carry with them some not unpleaslng recol,
results Of the conference on prison discipline and
criminals he hoped one result the gathering would
be to strengthen the ties OF comfy and good will
which ought to bind together the whole common
wealth OF nations. He proceeded 10 say that wnle
thus bidding them welcome ne could not pass over
there, man whose name and long experience gave
his name more than an English reputation. Many
were present whom all were rej0iced to see many
were absent who could be spared; but In the death
of the late Recorder OF Birmingham was lost one
who would have received from all Englishmen
whether they came from any part Of this or the
other side OF the Atlantic, an honored reception
The noble chairman then passed In review
the subjects to be considered In the Congress
criminal law, criminal procedure and preventive
police, &c. He said that in matters ike
these he knew 1t was an invidi0us task
10 suggest limitation OF subjects and points to be
discussed, but he would say thls-the more difused
such Investigations were the less likely they were
to be fruitful In practical results and, therefore, he
urged that this Congress would act wisely In re-
strctng rather than In enlarging the scope OF their
inquiries. He then proceeded to enter upon the
subjects Of punishment and the repression OF
crime in very long and eloquent speech In which
he dwelt upon the attention which the Brit .sa
people and the British colonies had given 10 the
subject OF the management Of the prisons. nc re-
ferred to the measures passed by the Brtlsn Legis
iature In 1s6l-o5, and later STILL and ne said
that while, on the one hand, our prisons
were not what they were when howard
Commenced his iabors, they were not palaces as
Voltaire had described them. They had passed
through the two extremes, and now, while they
gave the essentials for health and life, and facilities