The Labor enquirer., 1883-04-07

We cannot suffer criminals to go at
large and commit their depredatiOns on
more honest people, What is to be
done? The common idea is to punish
them-sepd them to jail or prison for a
longer or shorter time, keep them per-
haps in idleness,. on coarse, cheap food
as long as the law directs, or compel
them to labor for the state in confined
prisons and under condition not at all
favorable to their cure. A chaplain is
perhaps furnished who does what he can
for their moral nature; but little in com
DarisOn with their needs, and when they
have served out their time they are. cast
back on society no better than, if as good
as, when they were taken from 1t, ready
to rpDpat AGAIN the same round OF life as
before-or. if reformed, lost to seIf-re-
spect and the respect of society. A few
who have been worse than others have
been hanged, and thus sent out Of the
world.in very poor condition for the
life that awaits them in the unknown
beyond.
This method has at least the advantage
of simplicity, and meets perhaps the
average demand for justice. But after
all is it Just and have we not risen to a
point of civilization when we can do
something better for this unfortunate of
our fellow beings? I believe we have,
and | wish to state what | would do if
the matter we're left to me. Instead Of
iaiIs and prisons for furnishing, | would
found institutions for educating and
training criminals, so that they might be
made better physically, mentally and
morally, to be eventually trusted with
their liberties and made useful members
Of society. The idea Of punishment
would be so far as possible given up and
the idea Of training and education made
prominent. The institution would not
be at all like a university, however, for
education in the higher forms of litera-
ture, art and science, but a place for
practical training in all the common
branches Of industry, agriculture, horti-
culture as an art and science would be
made prominent.
The inmates would spend at least half
the day at physical labor of some kind,
and the other half in study and lectures
by men who know how to bring knowI-
edge to the minds of such persons. The
greatest pains would be taken with the
health and physical culture of all. They
would be fed scientifically, SO as to be
well nourished. Alcohol and tobacco
would be forbidden. 4 daily bath would
be required. No cells would be allowed
but plainly furnished CHEEKY rooms far
nished. Perfect cleanliness and good
sanitary condition would be required
Neurological teaching would bealIOwed,
but the highest forms Of morality taught
as a branch of the education. The whole
of ethics, industry, efficiency,
labor, economy, frugaIity and everything
relating to social science, and the right
conduct of life, whether physical intel
lectuaI or moral, would be simpEtied and
taught in the most perfect manner. The
discipline would be as eXarting as mill
tary discipline ever is. The highest
standard of manhood and conduct would
be made as prominent as possible. Qp-
portunity would be given for recreation
as were found best. The criminals would
be classified and each be treated accord
ing to special needs. Tie location Of
these institutions would aIwaysbe in the
country. While the mechanical training
would be introduced, yet love for the
soil would be inculcated. cannot 20
into all the details Of this method of
treating criminals. The best minds would
be required to develope some of its feat
ures. Suffice it to say ! would try to make
good men of all criminals When they
had been in the institution so long as de-
sirabIe houses would be provided for
those who needed them in some part of
the country. set apart especially for them
and every effort made to give them a
good "send off" on the road to q good
life. am not at all unaware Of the
difficulties in the way Of carrying out
such a scheme In the first place, the
public mind is not yet prepared for it..
Human conservatism, good in it's place
which is only to preserve what is worth
preserying-dislike changes so radical.