Daily Kennebec journal., 1876-01-27
would have a teacher that would unbend himself

would have teacher that would unbend himself
to the prisoners, that would impart graoualy
moral and religious instruction. open the aVen-
ues to the heart, and good can be done.
MI Bracket of York, said that his was bor-
der county, and in the summer season IL was
great place for summer resort. The Jail had been
pretty we'll patronized. He had four boys, but II
they were to make ministers or good men, he
didn't care about having them graduate from
the Jail were intelligent men, and didn't need edu-
cation. A womans school in the jan wouidn
amount to anything. Believed in giving the boys
a good education before they got INTO jan: lie
thought we ought not to give the children bread
to dogs. Think of wasting strength on man
forty years old who is in Jail with his eyes open,
and against all the light LIE has
Mr.. Ferguson said that they had boys in Pcno5-
scot Jail, and intended to turn them out better
boys, and thought that by so doing would make
better men Of them.
Dr.. Billings further argued that the moral forces
should be developed and strengthened in right
course. He would appeal to what little good there
is in their natures
Mr.. Ferguson would not have it understood
that he didn't believe in punishment.
Mr.. Biagdon of York, said he believed in pun.
ishment for prisoners and we must not get SO hlea
with pseudo benevolence that we shan't remember
the victims of crime. Thought It dangerous 10
take away the penalties.
The subject was further discussed by Messrs.
Prince, Bracket, Dr. Billings, Thing, and Cham
berlain.
The following committee on resolutions was ap-
pointed by the chair: Warden Rice, Thing OF
kennebec, Perkins of Androscosgin, Marble OF
Sagadahoc, Thomas of Penobscot.
The convention adjourned TO meet at the Rep
resentativcs' Hall at 30 O'Clock.
EVENING.
Representatives. Hall was well filled last eve
ming, to listen to address under the auspices of
the convention, by Rev. j. Il. Mason, d. d., Of
Thomaston. DR.. Mason's address, was upon>
Prison and Prison Discipline. The study Of crime
and its causes enlisted considerable attention at
this time. In all countries this is noticeable Re-
suits are developed in the changes of construction
of prisons and jails. These were formerly built
for detention and punishment; shaped Tor the
crushing out of every spark of ma aahood-a fair
exponent of the sentiment of the minds OF that
day. The purpose was to meet out panish-
ment and make the way Of the tran,grcssor hard.
He referred to the prison houses Of the old world,
and also to the old State Prison of Maine, the mar
row cells, the poor light and all the appliances to
crush out all the humanity in man. The prison
was built so that its aspect might be severe
The commissioners to locate the prison were
strongly in favor Of solitary confinement, and
just light enough to read the New Testament
which should be the only companion and guide TO
better life. With the help of that he might see
and realize the terrible nature of his offence. In
contrast with this shown the character of the
new prison, and the jails in some OF the counties
in the State. He spoke of the wonderful changes
IN publlc Senument on tDls point, anu OF tle posi-
tion of the International convention on Prison Re-
form, held few years ago, taking the ground
that prisons should afford facilities for the reiorma
ton OF convicts.
After the construction Of the prison. the Offices
should be those who desired to work, and had a
heart in it, with an appreciation OF human nature,
men who have a peculiar fitness for their work.
The position of these offices should be sacred from
the touch Of political parties. Men should be
placed there on account of their peculiar fitness
for the position. Such institutions cannot success
fully be run by political parties Men have to be
educate ed for these positions, and the training is
peculiar one and its hinucnces should be felt up
on the prisoners. A central head should have
charge Of all the penal institutions they also not
subject to party mutations. This would make
perfect system.
He then proceeded to speak in regard to the
methods of prison discipline. The solitude
separate system has about died out. To this sys-
TEN there is many and grave objections, although
a certain reform is aimed at. He took the ground
that to permanently reform convict you must
not shut him in, and all the good influence out;
would have him feel the influence Of companions
if YOU would have man of backbone and charac
ter, he must come somewhat III contact with the
world. Society has no right TO helittle human
soul, even if it be the soul of convict. Seclu-
sion is artificial and unhealthful, and does not ful
fill the objects of reform aimed at. The Irish con-
vict system was highly spoken of, but it was
is generally adopted in the United States, in IL
prisons. There are about 46 900 prisoners in the
State Prisons and county jails of the | nited
States More than 80 per cent. of these Will 90
forth from these walls TO the world, TO be a bare
or blessing; and the grave question is, which
shall it be This is the great question forced npou
those who have the prisoners IN charge
We have now in the state Is county jsls in
which have been committed the Pas: year 1888
persons. In five Of these are workshops. The
rules of these prisons take co.nizance of the fact
that the manhood of all the prisoners is not gone
These workshop jails are sort of half way house
to the criminal where he may repent and 90 back
to virtue without having the stigma resting upon
him of having been in the state prison.
We look for blessed results from these work
shops, connecting industrial pursuits with penal
nhctiou.
He spoke Of the state prison and its excellent
management.
There is constantly the idea Of punishment but
ct the same time the idea is impressed that the
prisoner is man. Work, education and religion
are the three grand elements upon which prison
reformers depend for their success. The chances
for crime are largely among the uneducated.
He favored compulsory education Of the children
as in Germany, lie spoke also of the dram shop
as the great and exciting cause of crime, and asked
every true man to raise his arm against it. lie
closed by urging his hearers to do all in their
power to reproduce in these poor convicts the fair
image that has been shattered.
DR.. Mason's address continued for one hour and
quarter, and was apauded at its close.
The convention will reassemble at the court
house this morning at o'clock.