The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-10-19
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PRISON REFORM.

Meeting Of Its A Advocates in Detroit
Addresses Made by Many Eminent
Mon.
DETROIT, Mich, OFT. 1s.-Public ex-
ercises were held at Wbitney's opera
house by tho Prison Reform association
this evening, many o. the churches DO.
ing closed to allow their congregations
e. attend, thus insurlng G crowded
house. Several of the speakers re.
joiced at tho large audience, which
they said was tho largest over known
in tho history Of prison reform.
After the aunouncomoDt by Secretary
Edmunds tho time was given to relig.
ious exercises. Bishop Harris, of De-
troit, then spoke briefly of the subject
of tho evening, ntatinL the
fundamental principle of hristianity
as especially applying TO prisoners to
whom Is promised freedom. The
mary past failures are not 10 be con-
sidered as due 80 the in
ability OF tho Christian religion
10 act. He sbelieved that nowhere
do We know so little how TO act rs in
tho treatment OF tho criminal classes
IL Is q noteworthy sign OF the opinion
of the times that so many eminent
men arc seeking, through tho gosrel,
10 help the prisoners. HIS then intro.
duced Bishop Gillespie, of Grand
Rapids, Michigan, member of the
Michigan State Board OF Charities,
who selected tho clause,
VI BELIEVE IN THE FORGIVENESS OF
Ems"
a. that part of tho creed in which ell
can agree, and which is the foundation
of all work in this line. Tho foundation
OF every effort in behalf of the prisoner
~ laid IN Christianity itself. lie con-
sldered the different opinions held OF
the criminal, speaking of them az In
corrigible, m the victims of ho-
reditary crime, or as an unfortunate
class. "The world owes me d liying,D
was considered the motto Of tho crimi.
nal who should no suppressed. The
gentlemanly burglar he described
rs such u man. he condemned
promiscuous sympathy, hnt iudorsod
aid IN sill their efforts for
reform. lie told OF tho improyenan,p
now being mado in Michigan, and
spoke in boealf OF Christian effort Ia
behalf of released prisoners, condemn
Ing tho unwlllipgness OF tho public to
aid them.
REV. Or. HENDERSON,
OF the Detroit Association Of Charitias.
followed with the query: "What eau
tho church do On help In the Efforts TO
save aud to bless tho criminals p,
which no answered, arguing for tho
teaching Of trades In priaop.
That tho released prisoners may
have whsrowlth To sustain Iite.
Good carO while In prison
~ Important, hut 1t IN MT everything,
Teach and lead tho prisoners into
Nelng better mon ard women,
He believed this question slso iu.
vo.voJ tho question Of Individual adu-
cation In tho public schools. Pan.
pefism Is often thu cause a crime,
ana the children OF psupers
should DO taken up aud cared for,
Bishop Harris next Introduced Cover.
nor A'ger, OF Michigan, who welcomed
the congress, aud thon spoke briefly
Oh mo Importance OF prison reform,
telling OF tho menagomonto OF Michigan
penal Institutions.
REV, A, II. wyND,
secretary Of tho llllnois state b,afd of
charities, was the next speaker, who
gave some idoe OF the iudt, dual
reformntory work already dono ana
possible of Accomplishment. "Can
criminals bo reforined2n elbow can
lhey BIO reformedY" "Are they reform.
ouY' were given M tho uueptions,
20 answer which this congress- met,
Rsv. DR.. "A. q. Byers, of Columbus,
Ohio, secretary OF tho State Board
OF Corrections and Charities,
next was introduced. He bollevea
THAT Notwithstanding the general
hopoleRsnosu of their position, prison.
orr can no reformed. Ho wished 10 dIs,
criminnto Ia the use OF the word crlmi.
nal, maintaining that all convicted
persons are not criminal In character
In his State, . third conviction eiyes b
sentence without date, the
prison mansgerH bling authorized
10 release those ~ sentenced on good
evidence OF reform, or 10 keep them
imprisoned for life.
GENERAL N. BRfNKERHorr,
OF tho Ohio Board of Charities and
corrections, deprecated the Increase
oil crime, and spoke OF tho 10.
creased necessity Tor mort
elective refermaiofy methods
hev. In. Grey, dean oil The Theological
seminary OF Harvard college, al Cam.
bridge, Masrnchusetts, was tho lasI
..pesker, AMI emphasized the woids ol
thn National Prison association IA ihs
embodiment Of the gospel. The reuu
slsr business setsions, Of tho congress
bsains 10 morrow.
~ z - s;s e s:s! I. =; ! s:ell9,,s.