Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-03-16
NATIONAL CONFERENCE or CHART.
TIES.
nePoft OF New. J. X. Mason, DELEGATE from
Aaine to the Comferemee.



GENTLEMEN: was requested in July last
to represent the State of Maine in the Nation.
al Conference of Charities, to be holden in
Boston on the 18th to Both inst, inclusive.
without time or opportunity to make any
special preparation Immediately reported in
person. on the day of the opening session, in
Representatives Hall in the State House Of
massachusetts,, and took such part in the de-
alterations as circumstances seemed 70 de-
lhaho OF your delegate. / was called upon
Tor report Of Names institutions, penal and
charitable, on the third day of the session. 1
mad avalled myself Of some notes had pre-.
served and some aids from reports received
rom officers to whom wrote previously. and
was to present the written statement which
the committee of publication were pleased TO
insert in full in the book of proceedings"
which had the pleasure of sending to the
Governor at Augusta Immediately on receipt
from the committee in Boston. Said report
may be found on page POS in '.the proceed
ings While, in some aspects, entirely un-
satisfactory to myself. yet, compared wi it'll
reports from other States, in general detail
honorable to our Commonwealth. A COPY of
1t was sent at once to the Bulletin de la So
clete Generate des Prisons, Paris" of
which association have the honor of being a
member; and have the pleasure of saving
That in the bi-monthly bulletin of that most
active association, touching all penal and re-
formatory institutions in Europe, Maine had
previously received favorable notice. That
france and large portion of Europe are
thoroughly awake to subjects so vital TO the
welfare of nation, or State, | think ought
to stimulate our people to a more practical
and general interest Although Maine has a
record for honorable improvement during the
last two decades at least, in regard to her
penal and charitable institutions, perfection is
not yet attained. Having gained some laurels,
and obtained honorable mention abroad. it is
no time to slacken, and lie back with feeling
Of satisfaction. Other States are alive to the
problems involved, and are systematizing the
work so that every department shall receive its
quota OF attention, and every feature be pre-
sented IN quarterly or annual synopses. easily
Ineligible TO the public. Some schemes
are OF questionable value, and they may fail
but the effort Is, generally, honest and earn
est, for greater success. Two hundred and
forty delegates were present at the confer
ence, representing eighteen States, one Terri
tory, and the Dominion of Canada, with
their institutions, constituting a body, l
think, as intelligent and as free from feel
ing of mere sentmentalism touching the
WIS 10 ne discussed anu Temeulen, as could
well be assembled. This was manifest in the
elaborate papers read and discussed at length,
as, also, in the reports and briefer discus
siOns following.
Having been active participant
in several of the prison and reforma-
tory congresses, out Of which this more
comprehensive conference has grown, my
conviction is clear and strong that the whole
trend is towards a more thorough and
healthful organization. and therefore, towards
Improvements that vitality concern the public
welfare. 1t is proposed to have every State
and Territory represented by official dele
gates, and as many institutions as possible,
that each meeting shall be a conference of
the most loyal and hopeful character. The
next session will be convened in the city of
Madison. Wisconsin, in July next, the date
to be fixed by the standing committee.
1t may be of interest to state that your
delegate, who appears in this report, was ap-
pointed, early on a committee to make
special report of resolutions re-
lating to the attempted assassination of
President James A. Garfield, and himself
wrote the preamble ard resolution adopted,
with no word of modification except the per-
sonal clause introduced as an amendment by
Governor Long of Massachusetts.
The convention was pleased to elect your
delegate AS its secretary for Maine the en-
suing year.
Thanking you for the honor of representing
our beloved Commonwealth in an assembly
so honorably composed, and having for its
aim the promotion of interests so humane
and vital. referring you to the copy of PRO
ceedings" herein named for details, l most
respectfully submit the above statement.
J. X. Mason.
Epypprpc Fob % 1879