Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-12-14

SOME OF THE. NEW AETH0Ds-TuE THANKS
GIVING DINNER. ETC

: | SOME OF THE. NEW NETH0Ds-TuE THANKS
GIVING DINNER. ETC
, TO the Editor OF the Free Press aud Times
Public opinion is rising to Just estimate
as to what is involved in the conduct oil
Penal institutions. Men are interesting
t themselves more and.more in the ways and
means of improvement in prison discipline
though few are aware of the many obstacles
cncountered-how sharp are the controver-
sizes between the partisans OF different
systems, how unreasonable are the prepos-
sessions of some persona. Ia regard to our
, own State Prison at Windsor, a. a refOrma-
tory, it has of late years made little advance
ment indeed, its steps, we think, were
somewhat backward But comparison OF
the present management and discipline with
that of the past shows rapid advancement
and progress in the cond iton OF its affairs.
We have good evidence that the present
management entered upon their duties with
conception OF a regular system by whcih
the Improvement of prisoners might be ell
fected
A recent visit to the Prison showed to us
marked change for the better in the ordi-
nary routine of discipline. and we have
heard Ike expression from various per-
sons. In some respects, where partial at
temp;s have been made to better method,
the results are being seen. Until OF late,
secular instruction has been neglected, but
| Oh g.. III hat = in In
evening school of two sessions week. held
on Wednesday and Friday evenings, is now
in practice. The attendance is not com
pul,Ory. yet all are aware that there Is
school, and that they may attend IT they
desire, by making application to the War
den. Permit me to give an account Ot my
visit to this school. At the present time.
there are about one hundred and fifty two
coaSicts \ very large majority are able to
read and write Some are quito well ad-
vanced. and a few are in possession OF an ex-
cellent education. About seven,y-f five attend
the school. My visit occurred on u We'd
nesday evening. As | entered the chapel,
where the school is held. was struck with
the quietuie and order and the apparent
nteres: OF the men assembled.
u S'ranso si""p' 'na' "'n' "uou'
from Class 10 eiass' rrs' came tue y A-o-'
ciEss' mere were men III the'r p''nhe ''aih
| ing the alphabet, and their anxiety to leain
was a most interesting sight. Next came
class able 10 reau httie' theh GLASS
I l.
ia'ther au'ah'eu' mere ''">s '",'S
engaged with arithmetlcS and siates-ands 80
on IN respective srales. Inc last h''een
minutes oil tho session was gwen up 10 'he
SCHOOL d. en'ire oiass one Vi '"e 's"e"e's'
young man 'fohi p" human COUNTY
'"s on a''''n''o "ed"eAS :"
struclioh ih the fuuinehtS o' feauins' puh'
tuation' rules ior Speiiiag' ETC. using inc
blackboard. giving apt illustrations, and
holding the attention oil every scholar l
questioneu some ol Inc. teachers aS 10 tne
progress OF their classes, etc. One SAID II
was somewhat atu'mcuit 10 oo'aln ineh'ai e'-
Tort on the part oi new scholars, out soon
they are wide awake with interest. pass
ed from the school-room' eonVlneed tnat
th's evening SCHOOL WIS uoins vast aiioun'
oil good toward thecting the reformation oil
the unfortunate ones.
There Is little hope that those VINO nave
inherited Vicious and criminal practices VIII
return to the outside world to seek new
and better associations, unless they ind
themselves fitted for the new condition a.
they were not before. Who Will say that
education Is not leverE VIII not the ~
struchon impaired at this evening schooi
incline those men to wish Tor better thinss'
and create and develop capabilities Tor good
Now Just lew words as to Thanksgiving
day at the prison. We met NJ spanid-
ing. Esq, chairman OF the directors Mr.
Cyrus oennings' member Oh tue poaru tue
seh'ai Auaihs' o' 'ne inusor ''"'Nu' anu
SEVERAL o'nerS' At nai' paS' o"e' '"o
prisoners nar'neu ID tue cn'p'i 10 a'''ni
divine worship anu 'hapiih MICK gave an
interesting taiK- Inc singing "a' gwen py
a choir composed Oi inmates OF the instltu-
,ion and WAS rondersd in a very
,;,ohI, ..,I. Th., u,;.o, ,b,ir f,r
it, singing - not easily surpassed.
The men then returned to their cells |
,r,, ,,.,..,,,, b,, haas, Far tb. ma,
to eat their Thanksgiving meal IN their ceiis' |
the same a. any meal but this IbankSgv |
inn the p.anagement melnt should bsa
~
JoSiu' 'inie- iao'eS Mei' spioa' III '"o Mons
oil the old PRISON The Dill oil lare was
extensive, roast pork, chicken pie. mince, |
ap,lo and num,kin pie nlnm nndd;nq
-,
potatoes squash ohiohS' turh'pS' o"'eSe'
wheat bread and butter everything to make
mn a pood dinner After D,yine blessing
-, s,,,, sa.,,. ha,,
was asAeu' 'uperin'e"u0u' ''e"os' '"''
all to "eat, drink. and be merry. The day
was truly Thanksgiving day to them. \