Morning journal and courier., 1884-01-15

of one in charge of the almshouse. It va then workhouse also. Every strumpst, ] every petty thief and every drunkard went there. He finally asked that it be abolished. Both sexes of the worst classes were thrown together and the morals of the criminal classes were made even worse. If the workhouse were established entirely separate from the almshouse it might be great bless ing to the community. The criminal classes are treated too well. If the workhouse peo- pie are to be treated to Christmas dinners, flowers and singing on Sunday and Fourth of July celebrations as they are now at the jail it would be 8 bad thing. There has been too much gushing in this town over the criml inal and pauper classes. The criminals should not be sent to work with the honest poor, as one plan suggests.
 Town Agent Reynolds said there was no fixed plan as yet: ssElt
 Judge Deming said that drunkards are not criminals as rule They work steadily all the week and then get drunk, beat their wives and children and are arrested. Prof. Francis l.. Wayland said he thought it was question of method altogether. The nuisance of vagrancy has been abated in some places by putting them at hard work. The short sentence dealt to drunkard is no punishment, it is worse than no punishment. A little of the censure visited upon the rum | seller should be visited upon the rum drink er Drunkenness is either disease or se- rious misdeneanor. If the latter is the case | it should be dealt with so as to work reform. Common humanity demands that we give more protection to the wife and children of made to work. The present method of pun ishing him is the most expensive, most un profitable that could be devised. z l Town Agent Reynolds said that during the past four years the support of drunkard's l families had cost $1O,Oo0.
 Judge Deming said that some legislation would be necessary to give the City court power to send criminals of the two classes to l 8 workhouse.
 City Missionary Mossman said that some 1 way was necessary to make the pauper and vagabond, who either don't support their 1 families or are tramps, do work. So with the drunkard. Persuasion is good thing, l but compulsion is necessary. He was heartily in favor of establishing town workhouse. Prof. Waylsnd said one serious thing about the matter was that these drunkards are constantly becoming the fathers of chill l dren who are poisoned with alcohol Such men should be sent up for at least two years, and put to hard work,
 1 Charles Fabrique said the great thing was l to furnish suitable work for the needy and to compel the criminals to work. The Mor- | mons do this. If necessary 8 commission should be sent out to find out how they do it.
 l Town agent Reynolds spoke in favor of having the city court inflict punishment as the county does in the jail. Pay the crimin. als 8 certain sum that would be enough to keep their families from starving The town would in this way be relieved from all l support of the families of these criminals | while they are in confinement.
 l The prejudice in the minds of workingmen | against having criminals given employment in the trades was considered by the gentle men. It was thought not to be 8 very i'm portant objection.
 Rev. Mir. Mossman suggested that the number of criminals would be very much re. duced if they were put to hard work. The supporters of families feel no pressure upon them. Put such a pressure on them and they will reform or leave the country.
 After some further discussion Town Agent Reynolds said that the scheme would save the town at least $1O.O0O 8 year. Rev. Mr.
 Mossman saidta practical, cheap working ! plan was necessary. MT. Sargent said the | The meeting lost whatever of formal eharac
 ter it had et this point and broke up into small groups in which various points oi l the question were discussed in an animated manner. Clerk Gaary said that something should be done to reach men who come into the town agents office and say, Here, I'm going to skip the town, want you to SUD- port my family" Judge Deming thought | an entirely new law should be drafted giving I power to any city which chooses to estab. fish workhouse, covering the classes oi criminals which should be sent there and the courts which should have power to send men there.
 Another meeting will be held next Monday evening at the same place.