The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-27
THE Ex-CoNvICTs COMPLAINT.

DIR. ELISHA HARRIS IN REPLY TO THE LETTER
OF GEORGE HENDERSON.
The letter of George Henderson. the ex-conyict,
which was published in the Complaint Book" OF the
HERALD yesterday. elected good deal of comment
in political and philanhropic circles and during the
afternoon reporter called upon DR.. Elisha Harris the
State agent for discharged prisoners. At the time Of
the reporters visit young man just discharged from
q four years term in State Prison in the rooms
of the New York Prison Association. where he came
for and obtained assistance to so to the home of his
sister in st. Louis.
In response query DIR. Harris said 81 have read
Henderson's letter in the HERALD this morning. 1
know Henderson,. The name is his prison name.
or the name under which he convicted and
sentenced. He belongs to good family in Phila-
delpha, but his criminal associations all here.
Henderson il o man Of ability, and fill any posi-
ton a commercial banking house, and. notwith-
standing he has written letter which does great
injustice, should be very sorry to do any thing
prevent him from obtaining confidence and respect.
why do you think he wrote the letter = the re-
porter asked.
answered. HE wished to make sensation and he
has succeeded So fur ~ the HERALD ID concerned
think It. was right to print the letter. especially as It
ate editorial article The sentiments OF that article
arc-my own.
Am 1 to understand you a. denying the facts p
AS denying them, certainly; but as explaining
in his allegations and his the result of his
diton or circumstances Much that he says is true.
1t is easy to induce the rest of the community to
take the cx-convct by the hand or to repose conf
dence in his promises of reformation. We do every
thing toward facilitating the return Of these
men society II Is the practice of tho association
to send them to their homes and you saw, just
now paid the fare to st. Louis Of the young man
who was here when you came in. There he will be
with his sister, and trust will do WELL Whenever It
il possible assist them to obtain employment but
it must not be forgotten that have to deal with
as many as a Thousand cases a month, and think We
always deal with them courtcously and kindly, and
generally with intelligence and to their advantage.
''Why was II you wrote to Henderson suggesting
that he go at once to Philadepha without tarrying
In New York at all r the reporter asked.
HE has embodied my note, see, in his letter to
the Complaint Book !" the Doctor said. "Circum-
stances dictated that note He not without
money when no left prison. and was certain to be
kindly received at his home in Philadelphia. As his
criminal life here this was of all places. the
falling in with any Of his former companions. and to
keep him out Of their hands was, perhaps the best
assistance could prefer him."
I'm response to further query DIR. Harris said
Henderson IN man who believes the state owes
him u living" and indicated. although he did not
directly assert that the convict expected the state
10 procure for him position OF responsibility.
for which he could not be recommended. Il have
the greatest respect for his abilities" tho Doctor
added "and far as capacity is concerned, he can
I'LL any position"
An ailusion being made to the of Charles
Fisher DR.. Harris warmly commended the course OF
Judge Otterbourg "He did himself great credit by
his patience consideration and mercy"