Litchfield enquirer., 1879-08-21
Reform of Criminals.


 comparable story, 'Les Miserables," without being deeply impressed by his character of the reformed criminal "Jean Voljean." So deep an impression has the character made on our mind that we are led to inquire whether this is only poets and dreamer's fancy; or whether this conception is founded on just q just and clear apprehension of human char acter? Is it not a matter deserving earnest and candid consideration? Ought we not to seek by all practical means to determine on which side truth lies? Can criminals be re- formed? Not individually, now and then, can there be a single case; that, to our en- couragement, we know has happened many times, heretofore We mean, can any methods be devised and put into effective operation by wbich any considerable portion of that element of society which we brand as criminal be made to become law abiding, useful citizens by which those now pest and burden and a ter ror may become help, support, and de- fense of the state?
 The transported convict, Magwitch, in ''Great Expectations, 7" doubtless owes the bril- liant traits of his character as there portrayed to Dickens rich imagination, but the class on which Dickens drew for his subject. forms no inconsderable' part. of the population of Australia. Convicts taken away from the opportunities and temptations to crime and given chance of success in honest life became industrious and exemplary citizens, and Great Rrifo hoo to c1 more prosperous or commanding higher re- speet than those founded by transported con- victs. .-"
 Those who are so confidently assumed to be beyond the influence of the incentives which direct and control ordinary human action show themselves wonderfully susceptible to their | power when brought within their reach. They compel us to ask if the differences in human society are measured by any accurate standard | if it does not behove us in considering what men do, to ask what influences have controlled their action, and what will most surely lead them to adopt different course of conduct.
 Now the question comes home to us, wha are the means used to accomplish this work Are our jails and prisons, as now conducted calculated to achieve such result? On thi, subject we cannot help referring tt an address which lies before us, by one whose name alone warrants it's value All will re member that the Hon. Horatio Seymour has 1 given the subject of prison management very great consideration. An article of his whict 1 appeared, last year, in leading magazine at 1 tracted unusual attention.
 The public duties of Gov. Seymour have given him great opportunities to study thi question, and the position which he holds i. the estimation of the people of this country give most unusual weight to his opinions Or the Fourth of July he addressed the prisoner at the State Prison at Auburn. He says ''. have declined all other invitations to speak but at the hazard of my health have com here to day My interest in the inmates o prisons grows out of official duties.
 'I have learned from long experience witt men in all conditions of life that none are with 1 out fault and none without virtues. I hay studied character with care. have had to
 with presidents and with prisoners. Exper ence has taught me to think kindly of my fe
 lowmen. The longer live the betterI think } their hearts and the less of their heads Al other great truth is taught by experience
 Hope is the great reformerl We must inst ? this into mems minds If we wish to cultivai their virtues or enable them to overcome the ? vices. It has been said that despair is the UT t pardonable sin; for it paralyzes every sent , ment that leads to virtue and happiness Ft f this reason, when Governor of this State, I di e all could to gain the passage of laws whic f enable each of you by good conduct to shorte e the term of your imprisonment and if Ina n my way you would have share in the prof y of your labor"
 Ii is a matter of sincere qualification that e man of Gov. Seymour's standing and infuent '- has given this subject his attention. It is
 subject which has as yet received very lit