The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-26


tocomply with this rule simply waste time in writing
Write only on side OF the psper.-ED. HERALD.
AN Ex-CoNvICT COMPLAINT
To THE EDITOR HERALD
The difficulty encountered by .Ex- Convict in pro-
curing all from the Prison Association through the
hands Of DR.. Elisha Harris the State agent for dis
charged prisoners, is but the common experience OF
the unfortunate men whose necessities compel them
to apply there for assistance 1t is the general belief
that the association is composed of benevolent gen.
tlemen anxious to render valuable help and comfort
to reformed convicts seeking employment. and to
prevent, far possible return to crime. Annu-
ally the Legislature appropriates large sum OF
money for disbursement by the association among
discharged prisoners requiring assistance; wealthy
people contribute largely to the same end.
and some princely requests made by many of the
charitably disposed with view TO prevent repeti-
ton of crime. DIR. Harris receives handsome sal
airy and travelling expenses for himself and $4,000 to
distribute yearly among those requiring it, The law
creating the Office OF State agent provides that he is
to look after tho welfare of exconvcts procure labor
for them purchase tools and outfits for such as are
capable of using them furnish transportation to
such can succeed better in another State and to
feed clothe Others until labor is assigned to them
all of which is eminently praisoworthy and indi-
Gates how eagerly the public will rally to sustain
fallen man when he gives signs Of amendment 4
But how shamefully the spirit OF this law is abuse
by the very men paid to executeits provisions! One
of the duties of DR.. Harris is to each prisoner
to be discharged and ascertain his intentions re-
gardng the future and his prospect OF maintenance if
the desires to reform He visits the prisons about
in two months, and receives list of the men to
be seen, many of whom absolutely refuse to see him.
so utterly destitute of comfort and succor his
cn, 80
thing, but have no faith in his profess
sions, knowing nothing will be done for them
To speak plainly, the Doctor is regarded an old
fogy with positive opinions against convict's sim
reformation, believing such protestations are
merely made to obtain money and help and then
laugh him to scorn. This opinion is held by a
majority Of the Off GERS and convcts throughout the
three State prisons Keepers have remarked that
they were sick of his Establishments and overwhelm
ing verbosty and preferred seeing him talk less and
do some good for deserving men. But what good
can accomplish when he has rendered himself
obnoxious to those he should deal with by the
hollowness of his pretensons
THE CONVICT AND SOCIETY.
few months ago. in conversation had with
the Doctor concerning convicts future and the
meagrcness of the outfit supplied him when re-en-
tering the world, maintained it to be the States
duty to return man to society in as good condi-
ton as when removed therefrom The reply was
that it only by great stretch of clemency that
convict allowed to rejon society--sgnify-
ing, presume that the punishment inflicted by law
amounted to but little in his estimation. The famous
Draconan code went but one step further, and set
tied the matter by DEATH irrespective of the grade of
the offence My object adverting to the foregoing
conversation is to demonstrate that DR.. Harris.
though q very good citizen and physician, is
not the for State agent for released prisoners
Men have left prison who told of their intention
to immediately engage in work and forsake evil
ways, and after the expiration of a few months l
o11xf
4 term of several years. Conversation disclosed about
the following They had left, meaning to starve
rather than steal had exerted themselves to the ut
most and failed, owing to the almost insuperablc
barriers erected between them and society. Upon
their discharge the outfit consisted OF the hmsiest
material possible: cheap shirt and paper collar old
fashioned hat and brogan shoes, though all looked
respectable for week ten days unless
saturated by a shower. In few days the money
allowed them was nearly exhausted. their shirts
and socks needed washing, but no change OF linen
mac neen saohi@ or nt ali their money was
gone. Then came the trials-outcasts nowhere to
sleep they afraid to visit police station for fear
Of committal to the Island as Migrants. Continued
the search for work; then needed shaving clothes
brushed and shoes blackened to facilitate the chance
nor home these things could not be done.
By this time they looked more like tramps than
people willing to work-a circumstance which op-
Even the ncwsboys have lodging. and unfortnnates
of almost all classes have home but no friendly
asylum awaits the returned convict and before he
give sufficient evidence OF complete reformation
he will death unless attends to him.
Sich is the story Of those returned to prison. Here
we have the cases OF who wanted to do well and
were not permitted 10 do but compelled to renew
their criminal life for sustenance.
REFORMATION.
Some Of these men am describing informed mo
they went to the Prison Association after finding
their money about gone and their needs becoming
desperate, but those connected with the association
entertained them chi11ngly and seemed to regard
their presence intrusion. Some said they were
accused OF being under the influence of liquor when.
in truth. they faint from want OF food. Others
upbraided for lack of perseverance,; told to
tinue the application and success would eventually
reward them if they really wanted work; made
quate assistance impaired to few but in
no case did there to he really
hearty desire to take up the man and see him fed
until work could be given him. In many cases APP
ncants lett the Office disheartenod and hungry.
What they desired arst food then opportunity
to mike themselves presentabe-for no man likes to
look drtyfnnlly place in or out OF the city. where
they could 10 TO work. Such Injuries were denied
them and penniless and homeless the only
beggary. But thieves in general dislike to beg;
they know of stirer way to obtain immediate relief
and in pursue it, Dircful consequences
may follow. but that In not considered ~ the time:
the engrossing idea is to procure food Finally all
good purposes banished and the man plunges
again into crime.
People not familiar with the straits of reduced
thieves may view this fancfnl sketch intended to
throw obloquy upon the associations efforts but 1t
il not, and socInny assert II 70 be no more than
true account of tho desperate trials and ncon-
vcnienccs undergone by reformed thief, unfortunate
enough TO be homeless
PLENTY ADVICE
About the only thing freely given by the associa-
ton officers is advice. any quantity of which is sup
piled upon application, but this Is not sought IL is
valueess-a more substantial commodity is desired
Elaborate essays reformation and incidents Of
those who have become great under trying circrn
stances do not seem adapted to alaying hunger
though doubtless would be of utility under more
favorable circumstances, say when the stomach is
full. Annually large sums are spent by the Prison
Association in the publication of reports pamphlets
and other documents tending to show what terrible
thing crime is and the measures necessary
to check 1t by reforming the criminal. all
n W
with the actual knowledge real criminal
obtains during his career. and when such man
wants TO reform he fully knows how to go about It,
bat wants little friendly assistance and encourage
ment. not homos the enorInty OF his former
course. The large sums squandercd thus unneces-
sarily might produce better fruit II otherwise APP
piled. physician easily produce u learned d
agnosis ~ his patients maady and allow him to
read about the danger that menaces him unless the