Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-28
OUR PRISON REFORMERS.
Second Days Proceedings of the County
Commissioners. SHERIFF. and JaiIors-
Resolutions and DIscussiOns.

Mr.. Bracket of York, introduced to the conven-
| ton, I. b. IIussey of North Berwick, member OF
| the House Of Representatives, who referred to a
| dissolutc Young man who had been confined IN
York county jail, and who had been liberated
through the kindly and christian intcrpos,ion OF
| Mr., Uussey. He was now living on farm, had
fallen but once twice since his incarceration
with the exception Of that he had behaved himself
well. The man had been benefited by the kind
ness shown to him, and with the help OF the grace
Of God, he had no doubt the person spoken of
would come to be good man.
| Mr. Fisher of Washington, offered amend
ment to section Of chapter % Of the laws of 1870,
| 80 that the same may read as follows:
| The county commissioners, in laying out new
ways, or altering or grading ways already laid out,
| shall have power to direct the amount of such
grading which shall he stated in their return and
| they may order portion of the expense OF such
altering or grading, not exceeding fifty per cent.
| thereof to be paid to the town in which such al
tering grading has been done, from the county
| treasury.
The proposed amendment Wa; adopted.
1t was voted that Mr.. Fisher of Washington, be
| empowered to present this matter to the appropti-
ate legislative committee and ask for the charge.
Mr.. Thing from the committee resolutions
presented the following series:
|. Rtso{red, That while the great principles of
right and justice that should distinguished the al
| minisra,ion OF all governments demand that ell
violations of law should be followed with sure and
adequate penalties yet the safety and protection
of society and the best interests and future we'll
being of prisoners with equal force demand that
the penalty be inflicted, and the cuprit treated
by all who exercise authority or have care over
him, that he 20 forth from prison in the best pos
sible condition TO assume the duties of law
abiding citizen.
=. Ees0!red, That proper regard for the interests
of society well as for the future well being of
the unfortunate, imperativey demand that per-
sons confined in our several county jails be kept
steadily employed at useful labor.
8. Resolted, That well conducted school, not to
exceed two hours each working dav, for such pris
oners Us may voluntarily attend, would be in the
interest of humanity and tend generally to the per-
manent improvement of such as put themselves
under its influence.
4. Resolred, That proper regard for the moral
development of convcts, calls Tor some religious
instruction and that the same can best be mpart-
ed by having one regular service each Sabbath by
regularly ordained clergymen, and that all such
clergymen in the town where a Jail is situated
should be invited to oftciate in rotation.
3. Resolred, That prison discipline is matter de-
pending SO largely upon the good Judgment firm
Ress Of purpose, kind feelings and high apprecia
ton of moral responsibility on the part Of warden u.s.
jalors persons in authority, that no mere
luton Of ours can adequately convey the sense Of
this convention.
6. Hesolred, That the present jail law should be
so amended that all sentences by the courts to i'm
prisonment and labor for more than two years
should be to the State Prison. and all for less than
two Years in counties where there are workshops,
should be to the county Jail, unless in the opinion
OF the court having jurisdiction there are special
reasons why the sentence should be to the State
Prison and that all sentences of two years be left
Discretionary with the court.
ResoLted, That in the opinion Of this convention
tue law should be further amended so that the ap-
pCintment of jaors shall be vested in the county
commissioners OF the several counties, subject 10
| the approval Of the Prison and Jail inspectors
). Esso'red, That while for some reasons, uni
torm'ty OF dress With convicts may be desirable, yet
considering the short terms Of imprisonment, the
disgrace consequent upon putting "prson garb"
upon men whose crimes have incurred no heav-
Ter penalty than thirty days in county jail and the
additional expense attending the same thi. conven-
ton does not recommend the change.
On motion Of Warden Rice, the resolutions were
taken up AMI considered separately.
The first and second resolutions were adopted.
" arden Rice suggested an amendment to the
,Eirl resolution, so that it shall read "sbout two
hours each day" 1t was explained that the two
hours was intended to include the ent;ie time for
study and school.
Mr.. Thomas of Pcrobscot, said that III hi. coun-
tv, during the winter season especially the pris-
oners had extra ordinary facilities for study Be
lieved in the resolution as it stands.
Mr., Bracket thought the resolution could not
be carried out in jaiis where many received on
short sentences.
Mr.. Thomas of Penobscot said that il cost but
$3.50 per week for teacher, in that county-a
first class teacher; good many have to commence
with the alphabet. He spoke Of the benefcen-
offices of the school.
The third resolution as oti.inally reported, wa.
then adopted.
The fourth resolution was taken UP.
Mr.. Thomas suggested that in some places there
are good men who are not regularly ordained
ministers, but who can do great amount OF good
among the prisoners; there are ladies also who can
do more good than any ordained minister.
Mr.. Thing said that the object of the resoluti on
was to shut off Spiritual bummers," fanatics and
enthusiasts, who are going about, and do grea,
amount of harm. He thought the resolution could
be changed so as to include responsible men and
women.
Mr.. Thomas thought the matter shou be left in
the Lands of county Commissioners or Jailors.
DR.. Billings couldn't understand why the laying
on OF hands or credentials should alone qualify a
man to do good This resolution will shut out
some of the best men; it would even shut out
Moody and some of the best religious workers in
the country. Women have reached more prison.
er's hearts than any other class. lie would open
the doors to men and women who would do the
prisoners good.
Warden Rice said that the employment of min
isters in towns where the jail is located. to ocae
as chaplaina, had produced good results. He
didn't think the resolution would shut out unor-
dained persons.
Mr.. Thomas submitted an amendment to the
resolution, 80 that it shall read as follows;
4, Resolved, That proper regard for the moral
development Of convicts calls for some religious
instruction. and that the same can be best impart-
ed BY having one regular serv ice each Sabbath,
by such person persons As the Jailor and
County Commissioners may from time to time
designate.
The amendment was adopted and the resolution
passed. The fifth, SIXTH seventh and eighth reso-
lutions were adopted, which closed the series
Mr.. BRACKETr, from the committee on COM
| ~. .N~ln co1