The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-09
PRISON CONGRESS.

JEcr TO NEW YoRK's PAuPxRs.
The attendance the consultations Of the Prison
Reform Congress yesterday somewhat smaller than
the FIRST day. Proceedings opened with prayer
by Rev. Mr.. Miller. Resolutions were introduced by
Mr.. r. Conn, OF Indiana. directing attention to GER
tain newspapers published In the interests OF prison
reform.
Rev. Marcus Ames, ex-Superiutendcnt OF the State
Industrial Reform senool for girls Lancaster Mass.
and Mr.. H. A. MontiorL superintendent OF the House
OF Refuge Cincinnati Ohio made addresses upon the
relative merits Of family and congregate schools TOR
the reformation OF the young, and whether the two
principles could be combined with advantage Mr.
defended tho family system, coniending that the
influence exercised upon the children by tho teachers
was under IL more constant strong and direct than II
could possibly be under the congregato system.
Mr.. Montlors, on the other hand In avor Of tho
family system for the that less space was re-
CURED for tho inmates the advantages Of Sabbath
schools and eminent ministerial aid could be more
readily utilized the advantage OF children, and
because friends OF the children could often visit
them and by means Of concerts and other enter
tanmens they could have rational and needed reaxa-
ton.
Rev. B. L. Cludlcn OF Ohio, described the working
Of both institutions in that State The balance
in favor or the family plan.
Mr. II. H. Fessendcn, OF Connecticut read paper in
which he recommended that rcormatory institutions
should not be supported exclusively. either by the
people directly BY the State. Ho advocated union
OF the two systems
Rev. Mr. Tton, Of Wisconsin, thought the English
system could not succeed here. Our people grow
ing and more averse to extending State aid TO
private institutions, particularly If sectaran.
Mr. Chamberlain, Of Ohio, said word in defence Of
tho family system
Mr. Van Meter told Of the thousands OF children he,
manager OF tho Howard Mission, had take TO the
Yves, and how we'll they bad dono.
Mr. Talco,t, of Rhode Island, made lew remarks in
the form Of thanksgiving for the good work accom-
plished.
Mr. j. F. Culver orInois said he had placed children
from New York under the direction OF Mr. Wright Of
this city, IN Livngton county, in his State Out OF
large number he knew OF but two who turned out bad.
Mr.. Wyman, OF Nebraska, said they had no relorma-
tory that State, nothing but the Pcntentlary He
thought committees should be appointed at Washing
ton to investigate tho condition OF each State
Mrs. G. =. Cofln OF Indiana wished New York would
retain all it's pauper children wtnin limits and
them upon Indiana and other Western Statcs
They had enough to do out there TO for their
Mr. c. l. Brace OF the Chlldren's Aid Society Of this
CITY, to defend the practice OF that institution.
Only live per Of its children, he said, turned
bad while OF the protegis OF the famous institution At
Mctra, In France, ten per cent earned bad records
Mr. &c Wines, corrected the gentleman by assuring
him the faures' Of the latter institution were less
than 1--we per Mr. Brace acknowledged the correc
ton and concluded his remarks
Mr. Wines described tho widespread influence OF the
institution Of Aettrai with which he is thoroughly IA
Mrs Coflu started out to reply to Mr.. Braces de-
fence OF his institution Il don't want you, Mr. Bracs'
she said Ito think that consider you failure be-
all your children do not turn out we'll But will
say that prisons more than half He'd with New
Mr. Grinlths, OF Maryland, concurred in tho senti-
Of Mrs Coffin with respect TO sending dependent
children TO the West
recess then taken till two o'clock
AFTERNOON SESSION
Upon rcassemblng, Mr.. +. B. sanborn, Chairman Of
the Business Committee, offered the following rcsolu-
tons, which wore unanimously adopted =
views and opinions q this Congress and 70 awaken more
q in The subject Of e r., on The psr
from each state 20 prepare after their return home brief
cation in the and the same TO BE- widely
Published IS may s c pr.s.issSs b. on.s .
cooperate with The Board q Directors the association in
committee Of warden. Of pensntarie committee Of
Of 81 ss q
state boards Of public charity and Of prison inspectors
10 MI chair
through with the other members Of the
Resolved That %: idea Of b:
ourselves do all in power 10 secure the complete
during the month August 1877 ana 70 this end we
appointment BY zach Of the different
linton suitable and competent who
prison discipline such states officially Stock
matter upon the attention d the several state Legislatures
as may be advisable.
u. ID. SCHOOL
water, Mich, read carefully prepared paper on state
Institutions for Dependent Children" He Detailed
considerable length the principles on which such in.
sttutions his State and recommended
the system 10 the careful consideration OF the Con-
grcsx
Mr. Van Meter asked the speaker whether he knew
OF any children his Institution coming from the
Howard Mission, with which he has been long
nected Mr.. Randall not being well enough informed
10 answer q question OF that nature Mr. Van Meter
asked whether there was any gentleman from the
West present who could say definitely that he knew Of
tn fho nat had
been sent out by Mr. Van Meters society.
The Chair curly remarked that such questions pro-
pounded vaguely TO the whole Congress while many
! papers renamed be read IN order, where
| upon the interrogation subsidized
Mr. j. Sanborn, oil Massachusetts, read paper
upon the expectancy OF states establishing visiting
agencies for their juvenile wards, In which he gave
graphic description Of tho workings OF the reiormatcry
AZ the conclusion OF Mr. sanborn's paper the Chair
remarked that as the subject Of preventive and Re-
| formatory Work. coDcluaed, SO far the
reading OF papers went the subject open Tor
cussioi- ,r Van Meter, ia the boiy Of
a wss Obtained nc oer nd
proposed that, another subjcct-that OF riminal
law rcorm-remaned to be discussed at that session,
ii would be well omit all discussion. The Chair
clarcd that Mr.. Van Meter should be allowed 10 speak,
as he had arisen before the motion was made Tho
gentleman referred TO thcreupon rose and said
Il only wanted TO ask INV much New York has
taxed the Wcstn
No attention was paid question, and exGovcr-
Emory washburn professor in the law department.
OF Harvard College. Mass, was Introduced He read
logically written essay IN which he argued that u
would be desirable and sxpcdlcnt TO limit the definition
and punishment OF crimes by prescribed code to The
exclusion Of the common law
Miss Linda Gilbert Of this city. remarked that the
chief Of this and other Congresses seemed
be 10 dscuss the fanss OF present system with.
out supplying any remedy
CRIME.
Chief Justice DAILY, OF the Court OF Common Pleas,
announced 10 read paper upon the relations be-
tween crime and insanity The Judge said he wished
suggest the necessity OF inquiry rather tnan TO make
y himself. He referred 10 the superiority OF the
l European methods of dealing with TINS and kindred
subjects. In England. where the Parliament sat for
| eight years not prcrogucd time was afforded Tor
heightened and intelligent investigation and to md
legislation uron snch investigation while IN
try where the Legislatures hold such short sessions
Is impossible for them acquire experience such
subject The speaker pointed ont the imperiection OF
laws In respect 10 the statutory definition insanity
which make no distinction between total and partial
Arrangement OF the mental faculties. A man. he
claimed might be perfectly upon every subject
but one, yet II no committed crime in connection
with that, he should not be held responsible The IN
vestigation man SANITY should be made with
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