The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-10
PRISON REFORM CONGRESS.

Tho National Prison Reform Congress held another
session at Steinway Hall yesterday morning, Andrew
+. Elmore of Wisconsin, IN the chair Prayer was
offered by the Row. H. 9. Tilton OF WISCONSIN DIR. E.
C. Wines then read abstracts from paper prepared by
Mr. f. G. Seaman, OF Michigan, the reforms needed
In the jury system Mr. Seaman opposed tho rrquisi-
ton OF unanimity in jury, arguing that wothrds
at three fourths should BIO sufficient to convict
He also strongly opposed the admission OF the plea
emotional I'M sanity excuse for crime In re-
gard TO the qualifications jurors he maintained that
they should be men Of intelligence and property. and
that the mere right to should not entte person
70 as juryman
DR.. Wines then read paper by Mr.. Pitman. Of Mas
sachusetts on the Treatment OF Habual Criminals y
Mr. Pitman thought that habltual criminal could be
defined as one whose acts such Indicate an
intention Of repeating them. CounterfeltinR, Tor IN
stance, crime committed with such dciibcration
that the counterieer would properly under this
designation. Records OF repeated convictions wcrc
casioned by the repeated administration OF trivial
tencss for petty offences In Massachusetts persons
sixty years old had been committed 70 prison from
thirty lorty times each commitment being less than
two months. The evils OF such system were cnor-
The offences so punished were usually the re-
suit OF moral weakness such as drunkenness, street
walking and petit larceny. Long terms OF imprison-
ment in such cases tended to the reformation OF the
offenders both by rendering the penalty moro dreaded
by them and by weakening their appetitcs through
ciuson and denial
A long and animated debate followed, during which
Mr.. A. N. Powell OF New York; Mr. A. Dun, OF Phil
adephla: Dr. Wines, and the Rev. Mr.. Tillou partic
pated, all In favor Of long terms OF Imprisonment
DR.. Wines then read paper on the imprisonment
Of Witnesses maintaining that tho present system Is
. constant source OF injustice and hardship. In
rare cases. where such Imprisonment was really neces
sary the witnesses should receive compensation and
be provided with comfortable quarters, apart from
Dr. Wines favored taking the testimony Of witnesses
In criminal Cases dc tene tsse, or by commission as
In civil where security could not be given Tor
their appearanCe the trial
Ex-Governor Hancs, Of New Jersey, supported the
views OF DR.. Wines.
Mr. Tton said il was urged by lawyers that II tcst.
mony for the prosecution taken by commission IN
criminal cases Il would give the defence an opportunity
manufacture evidence In rcbutta or 70 tuborn wit
nesses advance Of the trial.
N r. Stanton Of this city said that the abes jursts
country believed that the present law OF this
this subject nearly perfect any which
could be devised
Dr. Wines then introduced c. ;. Meuerberg, supern-
tendent oil Schools in Stockholm, Sweden who invited
the members OF the Congress attend the International
Prison Reform Congress TO be held in Stockholm next
year, and promised them cordial reception.
SESSION.
AZ eight p. N. the session was resumed. Mr.. Elmore
again occupying tho chair. Mr.. W. g. Hammond OF
Iowa read paper 1.-THE Equitable Distribution Of
Punishment Mr. 8 AIlcnson, President Of the State
Reform School for Boys Al YardvIlie, N j., road
on A
Needed IN the Jury system as Regards the Quah-
cations Of Jurorsy"
MT Abbot Clarke. State Senator OF Vermont, read
paper 'sThe Treatment OF Habtuai Criminals"
DR.. Elisha Harris OF New York SAID that during his
experience he had found that was mex ocdient
clude IRON the libraries OF the Jas works OF fiction
upon which the young minds could feed
DR.. AIlenson sald that he would not exclude story
books IRON children, but he would not like TO iced
the children on them.
Mr. j. r. Buchanan Of Kentucky, made an eloquent
address on the Treatment Of Hab.tua rminals. y
MISS LINDA Gilbert asked II there any prison
where the convicts were taught their whole trade
The representative from Ohio said that in The Ohio
prisons the trade OF moulding was iully taught
Another representative, who had visited Backwells
Island during the day company with Mr. Brennan,
President OF the Department OF Charities and Corrcc-
ton said that he had found that the convcts from
New York city sent to Backweils Island were
thoroughly instructed in all branches OF their trade
The discussion that followed showed that the do
mand labor increasing and that earnest
Efforts should DO made TO project the prisoners and to
guard aga INST bogus contracts DR.. Elisha Harris
spoke the pers OF children condemned TO prisons
and reformatorles The papers read during the scs-
SION Of the Congress- II resolved should be pub
Iished a. part OF the minutes OF tho Congress, for
general distribution The closing hour having ar
rived the thanks OF the Congress were voted TO tho
owners Of steiuway Hal for IT'S gratutous use.
The officers and committees for the ensuing year
were then nomir atcd ana unanimously elected.
The Congress then adjourned SINE die