The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-05

lasting packing and unpacking. 1t has become ou
settled policy now to do q steady business and lie
the earth break up or not. just IS it plesses- w,
can't afford to be disturbed all the time by the elo
quence of some new prophet who has just discov
cred the exact date of the general ruin. We hav,
never been able to fully enjoy summer vacation
and follow q trout stream for whole day ut time
lest on return should find that that part OF
the globe on which house stands had cracked OF
in the universal crumbling. and already on it,
mad career in the great abyss Of space We have
grown cslmer since then. and now. Proctor NO
Proctor. Pyramid or no Pyramid we are determined
to be IS honest as temptations will allow us to
be- and when the thing cracks why just be glad and
thankful that it has renamed whole long and lei
1t crack. that 10 all.
PRISONERS AID SOCIETY.
NATIONAL MOVEMENT TO PREVENT CRIME
MISS GIIBERr's SOCIETY AND ITS WORK.
DETER DAY DAwxINa FOR CRIMINALS
Readers OF the HERALD aware that there exists
to-day society duly incorporated under the laws OF
the State Of New York. entitled "The Gilbert
Library and Prisoners Aid Society," 1t is
the outgrowth of the life-work of the emil
nent philanthropist Miss Linda Gilbert. who,
previous to its existence, lad devoted the
best years of her thought and energy in counseling
prisoners both while in Jail and in prison. aiding
them when released to obtain situations. establish
ing many Of them in business and contributing
largely Of her own means to the sup
port Of many of their INDECENT families. besides
having by her ndomitable industry placed libraries
OF 800 1000 volumes each in eleven jails and
prisons Of this city and State and other cities and
States. Ana through the agitation thus raised other
libraries less extensive have been estsb-
lished by other philanthropists in Brooklyn. Nor
wich. Conn.,. Philadelphia and other places. in all
aggregsting over thirty thousand volumes. This
society IL national in its character and design and
SO far rs it can command the means Of doing SO
it will seek to improve the condition Of prisons and
prisoners by striving to secure such legisla-
ton as shall best subserve their real interest which
is the true interest Of the public well to improve
prison discipline not necessarily making it less
punish ment, but seeking wiser administration In
grading and classification: to place libraries of read
able aud improving books in every prison and Jail
il in need and worthy, while he she may be inn
prsoned-in short. to seek in practical ways to
store fallen brother-fallen often through other in
fuences than innate sinfulness-to manhood and
good citizenship.
PREVENTION BETTER THAN CURE
Another and no less important department of the
work Of this society is to furnish ex-prsoners en-
ployment when their term OF imprisonment has ex-
pred Many are convicted for their mrs. offence
no doubt. guilty of the crimes laid to their
charge. But long confinement often produces
C08E8Ct6r,
that when they leave the prison they desire lead
better lives. They rarely succeed however, owing
to the prejudice which everywhere exists against
employment in such cases without the help Of
this or some similar society. As . consequent
suit they become disheartened and very natur-
ally conclude that every mans hand Is against
them for evil ana that one has any
their enerry and resources in oue.t OF honest s%.
ployment to effect. with better prospect than
suffering and absolute want before them. they are
ana the imperative demands Of their nature counter
to their inclnations and convictions. back
stances the question might properly be raised
to whether these men or society are
the most responsible for the consequent re-
suit OF their action for an effect is the inevitable
suit of some This policy Is neither wise
just because it fails in eectng the object ct which
pound Of cure It costs less to prevent crime than
1t does to punish it. rs can be proven beyond all
question when take into account the millions of
property destroyed by the hands of the incendiary
the burgaries which perpetrated and the
lives sacrificed to shield the criminal from detection
loss Of life is beyond redemption Then in connec-
ton with this Is the expense attending the arrests
Of as 70
this the expense OF trying them, and you find that
the aggregate amount expended annually IL simply
enormous. so that the policy pursued is not wise.
One third OF the amount expended annually In ar.
resting and convicting c riminals and Furnishing
them. ii it were judiciously used and OPPORTUNITY
administered, would prevent two-thirds of the
crimes committed and save the country more than
half the expense.
AN ENDOWMENT FUND NEEDED.
In Q circular just issued the society calls upon
manufacturers. contractors, corporations. farmers
and other classes OF employers to aid in giving en-
ployment to exprisoners who are DESTROYS Of lead
ing peaceful and industrious lives The society has
u board OF ten directors besides board OF mana
gers, of which Miss Gilbert is president. and also
board Of trust take charge of contributed funds
The society wants an endowment Of from $500, 600
to SSOOO the interest OF which could be used in
defrayng its running expenses, in the transporting
of many of these men. in finding employment for
Others in helping to establish some in business in
small in providing for the actual necessities of
prisoners families. in the purchase Of books to
plenish libraries, in securing such legislation al
shall promote the best interest Of work and Sc
to convicts in our prisons the enlightened and
humane treatment which convcts in many countries
in Europe receive.