New-York tribune., 1879-11-28
Lombard Du Page Co. H.. Nov. 25. 1870.
COOPERATION FOR CONvICTS.
70 the EdftOr or Fhs TrI6gBg

SIR The visit of Mr.. George }. HOlyOake
to this country and the consequent discussion OF the
history methods and results Of cooperative stores and
industrial enterprises in England have brought the
eral subject OF cooperation prominently before the pub
lie. aud raised hopes that may be made OF
principle beneficial 20 the individual and
so conservative OF the public good. Ultimately
neced with the elevation OF the condition OF the desery
Ing poor Is the question, yet without any satisfactory
answer: What shall be done discharged convcts
from gTavitatng toward their old haunis companions
and criminal courses by OF the almost fail
by state OF private endeav0r, 10 make such
unfortunates selfsupportng. or even sefhepinE, in
their society Il would seem that cO0pera-
ton might contribute valuable hints Prison
ciaOn this question, and that plan might be de-
yised whereby prisons could be make sefsuppOrt
ing without to the contract sysemwhich will
appeal the taxpayer; our cOnvicts converted into
skilled artisans aud enabled, with the possible profits OF
their own labor which they may receive az their dis
charge begin self supporting career-whieh will ap-
peal political economist; and by giving RATIONAL
instructive employment Will ocrupy aud direct the
OF the labOrer, draw him from past associa
tons and habits OF thought, render him amenab 1s
lighter discipline and tend TO bring about reorma d
character the ruc design Of punitive discipnewhicb
will appeal to the common humanity aud the common
of the whole people.
Recruited criminals from the unlesrned and
the idle well from the naturally yiclous and IN
permanent benefit 10 the individual resultant
omy safety to the body polite. from any scheme OF
prison discipline or administration not based "A
thorough change of direction OF thought sentiment aud
the individual criminal Could the COO ertlyc
system VI industrial pOyment be introduced into
prisons and made N integral part of prison adminstra
tiOn reasonable TO hope that We might the day
when fair and increasing proportion OF our prison
inmates, their liberation. would step forth with suea
industrial knOwle'ge as would tend 20 maintain them
above Dauporism. and With moral impetus aud in-
dependence ani hopefuness OF conduct entirely un-
known IN the past promising new LIFE ana subs;an-
tia reformation.
Beginning IN peuuTy. cooperative societies IN Eng-
land have attained 20 Opuicuce beyond tue widest
dreams OF their projectors beginning IA Obscnry they
have attracted Worldwide honorable nUtorttY:
Hon To such hcignt social aun rUliiea power
that the daring would hesitate to brave
their constantly increasing tnhrturc IN tie councils ~
the realm 10 admitted. even " some Of the
most virucnr ual drtractOrs gland.
the effect az tie Whole movement 4pln
the hundreds 81 cOoprlatorS orcsty con-
cerncd. and upOu community at large has oeen he-
yOnd praise aud beyond al ccnpu at"n The rdcs
and principles by wAc stupcnuous results have
been cufupasssa are and simple. i tuS application
90 tnem t the administration Of our pr-n- farts
wl o. thcmtaNrs requiring oft.inai tFcatneut.
but such aSwiil NrNiatc -tsaiy IRON aseeftAned
aud prescribed methods
IA that snrit of self-ignurine deviation which has
charact tixes many recent benevolent efforts
midst rf thinking. practical ref0rMcrs consider
Tits matter ana it will be- srange N they DO not DeeJ
al Tie very Threshold oi their Investigation facts and
figures when will lead "a practical results "a upeAiecte
ant a. gratifying az tue most sansniic e"np sate-
pate. -@'oN'