Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-09
rnE MILWAUKEE sAs1ILe.

A Meeting OF Citizensto Give Expression
to their Honest Sentiments Regarding
House OF Correction Outrages.
Milwaukee, Dec. ga large meeting Of
citizens to give expression of the sentiment
of the community in regard to the recent
revelations concerning the house of
correction management and the refusal on
the part of the board of supervisors to
receive the report of its special committee
of investigation, was held at the chamber
of commerce this afternoon. The call for
the meeting was signed BY many of the
prominent and most influential business
men Of the city. The Hon. Alexander
Mitchell was chosen chairman and G. E..
Andrews secretary. w. P. McLaren, E.
81. Brodhead, E. G. Wsll. w. Bodden, J.
A. butcher, Angus Smith and VIM. Young
were appointed . committee on resolutions.
During their absence several prominent
men addressed the meeting. Angus Smith
summarized the abuses reported in the house
of correction and said: The board of 50.
perviso1 are criminally responsible for
them and should be called to account. The
good name Of the city demands that such a
state OF affairs never occur again. The
people were ready to be taxed for ANYTHING
that will remedy the evil. The odium
which had fallen upon the city should be
removed at all hazards.
The Rev. Geo. E. Gordon believed the
new inspector would ~revolutionize the svs.
tenn; the brutality and profanity would cease,
and gsgging and imprisonment in the black
hole become things Of the past. Petty Of.
tenders should be separated from hardened
criminals. The speaker then rave bis ideas
OF the proper prison discipline and reform.
United States District Attorney Hazelton
did not think the meeting was meant to be
an expression of sympathy for the criminals,
but rather ~ evidence that the people of
Milwaukee do not permit the practices Of
the fifteenth century aud condemn brutality.
the use of the gag and black hole incarcers.
ton.
Other speakers followed in the same strain,
After which the committee reported the fol.
lowing preamble and resolutionAWhich were
unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, Public attention has been
called to the management of the Milwaukee
house OF correction, and the Developments
already made show clearly the need of a
thorough inquiry into the whole penal svs.
tenn Of the city, as we'll a. the manner in
which it 10 administered, and,
WHEREAS, The history of the past reflects
not only upon the various authorities ma
their agents who had control and supervision
Of the house Of correction, but upon every
citizen and upon the good name Of our city.
therefore, '
Resolved. That public duty and nub,,e
interest alike demand that the treatmant M
criminals should aim not only at the nm
tshment Of crime, but still more n ths raj
ermatton OF criminsls, and experiences hs,
shown that the effort to reform crimins
can 30 made In . high degree successfni
economic and beneficial to the commnni.
~.
Resolved, That the policy Of derivin.
revenue from the labor Of convicts ,shonli
. 10 Oh cases be kept strictly subssryient :.
/. !ne higher purpose efs seeking to redeen
. tho criminal to an honest And unrioh
course of life. pAk1
Il Resolved, That the system of pl.c,n,
.oeether oil classes and ages o! criminals i
]. Inherently wrong, and We believe Il to h
the duty of the city, at whsteyer coat :.
provide for the separate care Of nerson
convicted of light misdsmeanors. ths nf
lenses of persons in early YEAR, and =
more hardened criminals, and those con
victed Of aggravated crimes.
Resolved, That the proper treatmen, ,
: criminals, while 1t undoubtedly renu,,.
great 6Tmness and strict enfnrcemsn. .