The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-10-19
PRISON REFORM.


The time was, and not 50 very long ago in
even nominally Christian countries, when over
the doors of state prisons was practically IN
scribed the words - Abandon hope, all We who
enter here" But since the time of Howard,
who became a martyr to his philanthropy in
prison reform, public opinion in Europe and
America has been frequently directed to the con-
ditiOn of the prisons, and the idea has become
more generally entertained that humanity, even
at its worst stage, is susceptible of reform, and
that the object of penal laws should be, not
vengeance, but restraint and amendment. This
view of the matter of course includes the ques-
ton of capital punishment for the crime of
murder, and we here hazard the opinion that the
civilized world is fast approaching the belief that
" the worst use you can put a man to is to hang
him.
OF late years there have been held ' ~Interna-
tional Penitentiary Congresses notably one at
London in 1872, and in August Of the present year
at Stockholm, in Sweden. We reprint herewith
the official report of the latter,-for which, to-
gether with the address of the honorary Presi-
dent of the Congress, DR.. E. C. Wines,-we are
indebted to the courtesy of General Comfy, u.
H. DXAhlcSCA OH de W. ACHAS
that our space will not permit of our copying
extensively from the very interesting address,
which succinctly reviews the penal systems of
all Europe and America. The Hawaiian Islands
are mentioned,-Marshal Parke having sent a
carefully prepared report to the Congress. The
writer is however decidedly in error in speaking
of the Hawaiians, even when he was yet a boy,
as " savages of the lowest type" They had
noble traits of character when first visited by
Captain Cook, and were far in advance of the
inhabitants of New Holland or even of the
islands of numerous other groups in the Pacific.
DR.. Wines says 1.-The Hawaiian Islands,
whose people when 1 was a young man in college,
were still savages of the lowest type, now form
a Christian nation, whose government has sent a
valuable report to this Congress, showing a re-
markabe progress in the arts of civilized life
generally, but especially in that department of
civilization which embraces the theory and prac-
tice of prison discipline"
THE INTERNATIONAL PENITENTIARY CONGRESS.
The thought has become fact. and the congress of
Stockholm has passed into history. 1t is too soon to
judge it; posterity must do that; but at least a rough APP
probation may be ventured.
The number of members in attendance was 296, of
whom 60 were official = 45 delegated by supreme govern
ments, and Is by governments without sovereign powers.
The rest were chiefly persons connected with the ad-
ministration Of the penal, reformatory and preventive
institutions Of their respective countries; but there was
also present q considerable number of specialists, invited
because of their eminence In penitentisry science.
Three-fourths of the prisons of Europe are in the hands
or under the control of the members of the congress Of
Stockholm; a great fact. and full Of hope for the future
of prison reform. No ncumenical ecclesiastical council
was ever drawn from regions more broad or points more
distant than this ecumenical penitentiary council of
Stockholm. Iceland and Nova Scotia were its limits on
the north cape Horn and the cape Of Good Hope on the
south; Japan and New Zealand on the east; and the Sand
wich Islands on the west.
The congress was, prominently, a working body. In
a life of three score years and ten, 1 have never before
seen so much good work done in so short q time.
The signal ability of its members appeared in all the
debates, but particularly in the remarkable readiness and
the general assembly Of the congress on the questions
discussed by the sections. The clearness and force with
points. and formulated the conclusions. was something
The good fellowship of the congress was one If it's
marked features. No doubt differences Of opinion were
with earnestness, often with warmth; but no ripple of
i'll feeling, no intemperance of speech, no personal irri,
tations disturbed, for q moment, the tranquil current OF
the proceedings.
About fifty reports were sent to the congress by govern
ments in reply to questions addressed to them by the per-
manent commission. The information SO communicated,
Papers were addressed to the congress on all the
in spirit, and valuable for the breadth OF their view and
the force of their arguments.
The works contributed deserve special mention both
for their number and their ability. The titles alone
would fill many sheets, and the books themselves would
form & respectable library of pathological literature.
But the conclusions adopted by the congress form the
gravAmen OF its work. BY them ii must stand or fall.
It is precisely here that the congress is strong. The
ring of true metal is heard in them. The more impor-
tant points touched by them were: International peni-
Tertiary statistics; the professional education of prison
officers; the organization and management of reformstory
and preventive institutions as related to juveniles inter
national police; the special agencies to be employed
with & view to prevent relapse; the disciplinary punish
ment 1T to be employed in prison; the patronage of lber-
ated prisoners, etc, etc.
Sweden's interest in the congress was warm and ear
nest. The prime minister of the country was its presi-
dent. The governor of Stockholm was assiduous in his
attentions. The governor Of the province Of Uplands
planned and executed All excursion for to the congress
King came from his other capital in Norway, hundreds
of miles. expressly TO do honor to ii. He attended one of
its sessions. He eloquent,y expressed his sympathy for
its objects. He entertained 1t with a magnificent ban
quet. In short, he showed himself not simply the
Monarch and the Statesman, but also the Gentleman, the
Savant, and the Philanthropist.
All the foreign ambassadors and ministers, accredited
to the court Of Sweden, honored and gave dignity to the
congress by their presence; some Of them not once only,
The hospitality Of Stockholm knew no limits. except
the duration Of the congress. 1t has already been men
TR Seg mu nj q Of stockhoims give y snot fhan!u and n the
Swedish delegates two. Mr.. Almquist, director general
Of the penitentisry administration, gave a dinner and a
soiree. Indeed, banquetng was made by our generous
and princely hosts the order of the night, as work was,
by the Will of the congress, of the day.
II the congress of Stockholm il weighed by the dill
gence, zeal. and energy, with which it worked. it must be
pronounced the peer Of any that ever assembled if by the
dignity of proceedings and the eminent ability OF its de-
bates and papers, it may claim to have stood squarely
abreast Of any senate in the world.
Honorary President of the Congress.
Stockholm, August 80, 1878.
Cur THE WIRES That is what an invading force