Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-09-23

io"he' anu NJ. A. stone, the latter delegate Of
the National Temperance Union. All the foreign
Ministers and Secretaries of Legations residing in
stockholm were invited to take part in the Con-
xress.
frior to the hour of meeting, nearly all the del
egstes had arrived. and the Standing Committee,
deriving its powers from the London Congress of
1871 had been in session for three days under the
presidency of DIR. Wines. The chief business
transacted by the preliminary committee had been
the arrangement of the work of the general Con-
gress, the verifcaton of the delegations, and the
adoption OF a resolution that the members of the
future Standing Committee OF the Congress shall
be appointed by the Governments of the respective
counties, provided said Governments will make
such appointments. Thus it is proposed 10 make
the Congress in future much more of q legal and
official character than heretofore. August goth
the Congress was organized very promptly, "A,
follows
President, o. VI. Borus'j ,rns, present Minis
ter of Foreign Affairs OF sweden and Norway ;
Honorary President, Rev. DR.. f. c. Wines, OF
The United States; Vice Presidents, C. Grot Rus
sia; NJ. Thomssen, Belgium; G. F. Almguist
sweden; Secretary, NJ. Guillsume. Swift
iceland with four assistants. The first
| ization was to listen to an elaborate report
from d.. Wines, which presents a review
OF the progress of Prison and Criminal Reform
throughout the world during the six years which
have elapsed since the Congress OF London, much
of which can be traced to the influence and mem
bers of that Assem- oage. This document was
well received, and has been published in English
and French for distribution.
On the conclusion of DR.. Wines address, the
Congress by previous understanding, divided itself
into three sections for the discussion, respective
| ly: Section |. Penal legislation" 2, prisons
and Penitentisries." 3. ere formatory and Pre-
ventive Institutions" This arrangement enabled
the Congress during its tive days of session to
have careful consideration of all questions be-
fore it, and gave each country az opportunity for
the presentation of its views and expert
ence. Each day the sectons united in =
general session of the Congress for the
approval or rejection of such resolutions
as might be laid before it. Thus the whole work.
ing days of the Congress proftsbly spent.
great interest prevailing throughout. The dis
cussions. reports from the different counties, and
the valuable papers contributed, are to be pub
lshed and will make two full octave volumes,
|
of enlightened Prison Discipline and Criminal
Reform in all civilized lands.
To make the Congress q success aud agreeable
to the members from other countries, the Swedes
did al, and more than all that could have been
exected. The local committee of Stockholm,
large and influential, was especially active in
this regard. The King in various ways mani
tested his earnest interest in the Congress
and his desire to have the delegates cordially
treated. Nearly every evening they were enter
tanned either by tho Stockholm Com mittee or the
Government. August 22d a banquet, on = very
elaborate scale was gwen at large dining hall
in the great park-Hasselhacken Hall-at which
nearly five hundred we're seated. The hall was
trimmed elsborst.ly and beautifully, in which the
| flags of all the nations represented were brought
into use, the whole in a style unsurpassed. The
entire Congress and invited guests were seated 81
the tables mean ly three hours-s vertsbe feast of
nationalities-perhaps little longer at dinner than
some haste loving and time-valuing persons
might deem wise, but the general good feeling
none could fail to appreciate. At the close of the
banquet fire works IN the surrounding park made
brill ant attestatlon of the Swedish welcome to
| the Congress.
way specially to show his approval OF, aud well
come to the Congress. He visited the body while
in session, and was received with reclamation. Ia
bl ief speech he informed the Congress that i'm
meuiately on his return to Stockholm he fastened
to manifest to the members his pleasure at vel
coming them to his Capital, aud the good wishes
entertained by him in regard to the objects of the
assembly. He then took seat by the side of
| the Vice President for the day, and listened to
| an animated discussion on the subject of the
conditional liberation Of prisoners under tickets
Of leave and police supervision. Ia the evening
of the same day, August oath, banquet given
by the King to all the delegates of the
Congress and invited guests at Drottning-
holm Palace, his favorte summer residence,
beautifully situated some six miles up
Lake Maclar. Two stesmers were placed
at the disposition of the invited guests. The
weather exceedingly fine, and the charming
scenery Of the lake shores and numerous islands
tended to make the passage very enjoyable. The
reception at the Droltning holm Palace was most
coidinl After light Refreshments had been pass.
ell, the King made his presence known among
his numerous visitors, and remained for two hours
in conversation with them Individually or in
groups. In course Of the evening, while convers-
ing with American and English delegates, one of
the latter remarked that the views of the late
King Oscar l, on PRISONS and the abolition of
the death penalty had evoked mu Oh interest in
England. The King responded :-"I an Of my
fathers opinion as TO the durability Of abohshing
eaDital punishment; but l must govern by law
aud public opinion, and can only exercise my
prerogative of merry in harmony with
these" 1t is we'll understood in Sweden that
these are the real sentiments of the present
King. In this frank manner. passing from group
10 " CUP, he conversed with his guests. and in
various languages. At ten o'clock all were sum
moned to supper in a series of rooms 10 another
part OF the palace, and were Hospitality enter
tained by the distinguished host. At eleven |
O'Clock the steamers conveyed the guests to Stock
hom part of the lake in the transit being llumi-
mated by lamps and electric lights.
The sittiugs of the Congress the last day we're
occupied by the questions of Prison Inspection,