Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-02-12
Prison Reform, and Tanapsra noe.

8 LRcTuRE BRFoRE FRLEEDs' SOCIAL ExcRuM
Mr.. Aaron NJ Powell, of New York, lectured
last evening at the FEiends' Social Lyceum, West
street above Fourth, on the subject OF Prison dis
clrline and Reform, In which he also spoke Of
crime originating from intsmperanee. He was in
favor OF having prisoners educated in the reading
Whiting and arithmetic, the same rs is done IN
Friends Mission School, so they might know
tnere is another life 20 live other than OF
wee. Many prisoners blind TO the best side OF
life, and know nothing of tho pleasure of litera.
ture or social lite, which those do who live
IN good homes. AT the Dublin prison he found
prisoner who was very thankful for being taught
TO Keep his accounts so he could prevent his en-
ployers from cheating hun. Religious influence
without regard TO UNCONVENTIONAL creed, appeal
ing 10 the heart and conscience was Rsso desirable
Pnsoners ought not be herdOd together. They
uier IN character, disposition and needs, iusts us
IN physical formation. The old and hardened
criminal, and the youthful criminals should be
separated, 50 that the prison may not be a school
ior The older ones to educate th9 younger. II is
better to have long sentence pronounced on Grim
insls graduated from stage to another aud finally
reieasng the prisoner in q better condition
Houses o Industry are great gain TO society and
tend to reouce crime. THY are areHmost beneficial
Tor Wayard young people whose parents leave
them to float in society
The relation Ofcapital to crime, that is criminal
capitalists Is important to be viewed. There is a
class OF offenders about the streets who have 10
get living They have their allies who do not
appear in the criminal list, but who feel and
harbor them, and facilitate their work. They
make extortionate demands cn the people whe are
captured. They take a large part of their Mum
der. They are the people who furnish the means.
but who are not Considered as criminals aud yet
are more dangerous.
The recent Prison Reform Congress at London
recommends citizens to ferret out criminal capita
lists.
Compulsory education was considered. There
should be in every government system, when
parents are thoughtless OF disinclined to provide
for educating their children, that the State step
in and educate.
In Manchester three BOYS about l3 vea,s old
were lately sentenced to 3 days imprisonment an
IL, and lashos, respectively for stealing dom
key-the hrst one, being Sthe guilty party. Here
they have to commit an offence once, and be SEN
tsnoed once before the State steps in
Not an American delegate in the ConQrass was
in favor Of the lash. The Continental deleaates
also opposed the use Of the lash.
At the New jersey State Prison, the chief au-
thorty has invited the citizens of Trenton to come
in and lend helping hand to reform criminals
Opportunity seems to be nowhere to discharged
Criminals especially females.
The construction Of prisons sanitary prin-
cIples ana the unity OF the prison authorities are
subjects. The head or governor of a |
PRISON should not be interfered with q board of
ponuc'ahs IN once one or two years, aud anxious
to be kept IN place and have power. They cannot
be competent to deal with prisoners This is one
source of embarrassment to the successful admin
StratiOn OF prisons in America. Reforms DIV
seek to prevent crime by removing the
causes which are SO prolific of crime Intem-
perance is shown to be the chief cause of crime.
The twentlth annual report Of the State of New
York Prison Assoc alton proves this From Co.
GOO TO 10000 persons annually incarcerated in
New FORK prisons, and seYenth-eights Rof these !
lmprisonments resulted from strong drink. In
New York city, IL tWenty-.hres feet be allowed |
toT the front of each drink ing house, which Is a
fair average there would be a row OF grog shops
tWenty-siK miles long-as long from Whining
ton 10 Philadelphia The extravagance and |
wastefulness seen in Washington Society is to be
deprecated At recent reception, one dounce on |
q young lady's dress cost 81 600 No honest indus
try can afford such extravaganza. Somebody
suffoFs someWhere. The Congressional frauds |
wore also referred to as part of the speakers re-
marks.