New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-06-10
PRISON REFORM.
CONCLUSION OF THE CONGRESS

MISUNDERSTANDING UPON THE WORK ACCOM- |
PIIsHED.
The Prison Reform Congress yesterday morn
ing had so dwinded In point OF numbers several prom
nent delegates having home that II was almost lost
IN the amplitude of stenway Hall In the absence OF
Richard yaux the Hon A. f. Gilmore OF Wisconsin, Vice.
President called 10 tine chair II was voted to merge
the morning and afternoon sessions INTO the morning
session Wines in the absence OF TIE authors gave
synopsis Of paper The jury System" by T. u
Seaman Of Michigan. who taken dangerously Ill after
his arrival in this city, and OF the Hon C. D. WalKersp
per on Criminal Procedure" The paper OF Justice C.
Pitman of Massachusetts "The Penal Treatment OF
Habitual Criminals" read entire the Congress evnc-
ing considerable interest in the subject NJ Poweh OF
NewYurk delegate of the National Temperance Society,"
offered resolution favoring the prevention OF lntenper
anee by legislative enactment OF other means.
Dr. Wines said that of the 60 questions sent out ny
the London Prison Congress to the different Govern
the world What in your experience is the
effect OF repeated short sentences The replies OF the
leading Governments unanimous in the opinion
that the influence of short sentences on haotua crlm
malls WAS evil and most potent school OF crime MI
Miller of 10 said that the system OF indeterminate SEN
fences was the ouly solution Of the question MI Dun
of Pennsy said the Legislatures filled the House OF
Correction by the laws they made by allowing grog
shop on every corner and equal distances between
corners DIR. Wines read paper on the Imprisonment
of Witnesses" argued that there was MOI more prolific
source of injustice than the Imprisonment OF witnesses
unable TO give bonds for their appearance at the trial.
N p Stanton member Of the NewYork Bar, was voted
member the Congress Mr. Stanton asked that the Dill
prepared by Mr.. for the Taking and perpetual
ting the testimony OF witnesses" be read. The
Congress granted the request Mr.. Stanton said
the injustice lay in mprisonng witnesses
with crlminals in conining q poor man
without paying him for his time, and In demanding
bonds Of a man unable to give them. Aud yet jurists
were almost agreed that the present law was as near
right as it could be made An evil OF the system was
that it encouraged witnessing cr'ne to conceal
the fact, for of being held in prison TO await the
trial c. ]. Meijerberg of Stockholm, Sweden koyaI
Commissioner to the Centennial Exhibition. in brief
address invited members of the Congress 70 the Prison
Reform Congress TO be held Stockholm Ia August,
1877 He said they Ghe guests) could not learn much
in his country, but could see people, Ia bld climate
ard mountainous country, endeavoriug TO recover by
the pillow what they had lost by three centuries OF war
From America they had learned the principles OF political
and religious liberty, and the plan OF prison reform
known as the Pennsylvania system.
]. A. Mligan Of Pennsylvania read paper on "The
Treatment of Discharged Prisosers." : paper by the
Rev. DR.. William G. Elliot Of 81. Louis on "statOn-
houses and Ockups" read Miss Lydia Gilbert SAID
that in this city, herself ana persons Interested in I'M
proving the condition OF prisoners had provided fun
for fitting out discharged prisoners peddlers OF eau
vassers and found that the plan succeeded Burnham
Wsrdwcll of Massachusetts said he did not know that
every minister of gospel would be saved, bat Lie
SINE sentiment to tho criminals in prison Dr. Wines
sid the best prison agency house for discharged
prisoners that of Wakefield, in the West Riding ot
Yorkshire, England. Many Of the mats used in this
country the workshops OF that agency where
discharged prisoners are furnished with Work they 40
not tad employment elsewhere.
THE CONCLUDING SESSION.
Although it was announced that the last session or the
Prison Reform Congress wOuI pariake somewhat OF
social nature, few delegates were present last evening
Charles F. Coffin Of Richmond, Ind, was called T. the
chair d. Wines read a paper prepared by ID. j. H.
buchanan OF Louisville, Kentucky on " Moral ana re-
leous Education Of tine Industrial and Re-
form schools" 4. E Chamberlain OF Cincinnati sad ne
sanction OF the Congress. Ihaie Miller OF OH
said that nothing cTH itbrt DC the 9s.istance
Of Cod and work under fills law resolution We
adopted approving of the work OF the eociety Tor thJ
Prevention Of Cruelty to Children Iapsr was Ieai
by Samuel Allius0n Of Ncw-Jersey on = branches oi
Learning aud Industries suitable Tor Reform sGhoos,
He said The printed catalogue OF sahndtl-sch Voi
library lies before me as write Lem or ITo'C NJ ss
are the WORK Of fancy. Whatever may De allowed 70 te
saonld o. Ion;n n W. s s1gGsi baa net Ioupd works
OF fiction specially necessary to his own metdi oulthle
but he interested in them as mauG5t'lions oil tl9
human mud ami psychological studies lie was inenheu
to aiow some freedom IN tne use OF WORKS OF nyton
Miss Linda Gilbert asked II any prison. tAisn. "is
oner a trade she bad iounG mat thoy we're seI d.
making they simply put thc s.rp9 on ,ne
III ~ stnSt Nholt trade Mr. CHAMBERLAIN sad there
was an institution at CINCINNATI winch ,dsd every PIE
siocs Other instances were mentioned hut known m
siances we're few Tdfts OF Massachusetts said tiat
I'm its rfrnat0ries a trade. PERKINS of Illinois SAID
thai tIey had in their RcforIndtOiy boys whom they
learned 10 work at full trade, as th0cmakng but ue
dd NOT know a siDg.c OF the boys who WAS now
using his knowledge OF the uade; Ihcy were
Tie trade and he thought That a knOw-
edge of bOtt0mng or "aStnS" or tlpins SHOES
Was nOre9 valuable to the boys tian 20 atehW 10 teach
item full knowledge OF the trade DE- Lsha hdI-iS
read paper the question: Are din rent classes OI
Institutions required lor tue treatment OI chorth WHO
dan f,f
tuaily fallen crime ~ The Kew. F. H. Wines sdld the
public list been disposed TO tLink Tue members
interested IN the Prison REFORM Congress were cd! 20
apologize for crime. Ths erroneous view hdd Dceh as
PEELED and they had CONC 10 feel that tiey were
band OF labOIers, bound 10 stand together Ia me eh anu
Were exerig influence iet III tnis county ana Dc
yond The sea 1ney wege receiving encouragement from
public bodies ana press OF the country Tn present
attendance. financial difficulties, and the aDseice
of men eonBeced with refOrmatOries. He did
not expect to the people OF Ncw-YOrK at
the meetings they had their own peculiar engagements
He WIS sITs tb,y Teie interested results Of tie
Congress, not surprising If they were not ~
tercsted process He confident tudt uIc o.
jects Congress would be attained IA due time Tue
agitation wOuia kept up until prison reform was
fact DIR. Wines said could not undertake 10 Oigdlze
another COngtcss, aud Committee OF subcommittee
thought practicable Dir Triton Of Wisconsin said
he realized the difficulties under whel the Cor
a great del TAD been accomplished winch wCuid bear
good in future. Tie present cVhiLaiiOh vas
crude ami has REFORM IN PRISON ana OF Oh prison,
would take untl child ana adIt were pusse5sc o
strong convictions Uf right and wrong ana ftcoShH
the law Of God. Common Christianity "ds inc Id" oi
Resolutions expressing thanks 10 the press and to Mr.
sinway graJutU,ts use OF Tue haii, also aFOIhs
neasuies, legislative otheI WISE Tor te supp!essl" u
ineuperiec we're unanimously adopted. AIcr PRAYER
by the Rev. j. L. hiliigan the Congress aNouAed
without day.
EXAMINATIONS At VEST POINT