Morning journal and courier., 1881-02-03
State Correspondence.
Madison.

We understand that the firm of Kelsey dE Scranton have dissolved partnership, Kelsey stepping out, Scranton to continue the busi- ness.
 Mr. John Hill died on Tuesday, Feb. 1st at 5 a. m., aged 65 years. He was taken with the measles about three weeks previous and was quite sick with the same, but when that disease turned lung difficulty set in which terminated his days. His funeral is appoint ed for Thursday, Feb. 3d, at 1 p. m. MT. Hill seemed confident from the first that he should not recover, and nothing which friends or doctors could say altered his feelings in the least.
 Mr. David Woodruff, brother of Mrs. Henry B. Wilcox and who resides with her, was found in his room one day this week prostrated on the floor, considerably bruised. He had evidently been doing something to the stove and fallen upon it, as his hands were covered with ashes and were somewhat burn ed. He was unconscious and it is probable that there was paralysis connected with 1t. He had slight shock some time since. A Tribute to the Late Hon. Lafayette S.
 Foster.
 The following tribute is paid to the late Hon. Lafayette s. Foster in the report of the executive committee of the Connecticut Pris- land is president:
 Since our last report the association has suffered serious loss in the death of Hon. Lafayette s. Foster, long one of it's vice presidents, and member of it's executive committee. Although the numerous engage ments of MT. Foster prevented his regular attendance at our quarterly meetings, he never failed to give us the benefit of his counsels and the support of his encouraging words
 Those who knew Judge Foster will not be surprised to learn that the condition of the discharged prisoner, homeless and friend1ess, but sincerely desiring to earn an honest live ihood, strongly appealed to his warm heart and his well informed philanthropy. His views of the duty which society and the State owe to this most unfortunate class were clear ly defined and always on the side of enlight- ened humanity. Too wise to waste his sym pathy in sentimental regrets, he labored with his fellow officers of the Prison associa- tion to devise the best means to help the prisoner by teaching him to help himself. AS might have been expected from the char acter of the man, his suggestions, founded on long experience at the bar and on the bench were thoroughly practical and con- servatiEe What he had seen of the cause of crime, the temptations by which weak or ig- norant men are assailed, of the criminal in- stinct which is inherited and of the evil com panionship which is demoralizing had taught him that while violations of law must be punished for the protection of society, no pains should be spared to makea such punish ments tend towards the reformation of the offender. He deprecated undue severity in prison regulations and considered it of prime importance that all the influences surrounding the convict should be of such a nature as to ensure the best possible prepara- tion for a reformed life. Believing that the moment of the prisoners discharge is a crisis in his career and that judfcious efforts made in his behalf at this time may in many cases reclaim him from the ranks of crime, he was among the first to approve the formation of this association and became at once one of it's most useful officers. His memory will be held in the highest esteem by those to whom he gave such cordial and intelligent support, and who ever found him an efficient ally in the cause of prison reform.