The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-02-26
From Delaware.

DELAWARE, u. FeDruary IL, 1850,
0 the Editors of The Standard:
he weather here is still figuring among the zeros
negatively.
The event of "Gath's'' coming is now thing of the
past. He came, he talked, but he didn't captiyate
While he newspaper correspondent. holds the top
most position. he by means holds that place as
lecturer. Indeed in this he is only mediocre. The
subject of his lecture 'Thomas the Doubter ~ He
discussed the lives of the Presidents from Washing
ton down to Buchanan. In the of the lecture.
he made some happy hits. as well as some happy
mishits as he described these great leaders the
people.
Even these distinguished could not have been
what they were without America"
Friday afternoon several students took train
the Hooking Valley road for Columbus. The capital
was reached at 3 30. We there to attend the
Convention of the Young Mems Christian Associa-
tfons of this State. This organization is doing a
great work among the young men of the cities and
towns Its mission Is work not only among the young
men of the colleges, but also among young men not
connected with colleges. The Convention was large
ly attended. Mr.. Wishard, the General Secretary
said that it the largest Convention of the kind
ever held in this country. There 200 regu-
lar delegates present In addition to these there
were many visitors in attendance.
When we are authoritatively informed that 90 ner
cent of the young men in cities and towns lead
impure lives, we at once get conception of the
nitude of work which should be done. This work
the Y NJ. c. A. attempts to do. OF course to turn
tHe lives OF SO many young men having tendencies
and habits of dissipated life into channels puri
ty and usefulness is work too great for feeble men,
however thoroughly organized for work they may be-
Yet according to reports and statistics much good is
accomplished through this organization. The time
of Convention, from the 18th to tine 18th, taken
mostly by the business sessions-Sunday being the
only day spent entirely in religious exercises. No
one can attend such Convention without being
greatly benefited. The inspiration given by a body
of 200 or 500 enthusiastic young is
navy
place to be, and of course, agreeing in sentiment
with the State Journal which said SATURDAY. morn
ing that the Y. NJ. c. A. then in session finest
body of men ever convened in the city. That NAV
sound like fattery to but certainly( p u.s.
Between IL and 12 O'Clock on Saturday we (my bro
ther from Wooster and MYSELF went to the Pen
itentiary. DR.. Bailey, who is of the physicians
at the State Prison. kindly took through the build
ings They cover 2l acres. There is open lot
within the walls and in the midst this the chapel
is situated This open around the chapel the
place into which the convicts come when arranging
for the ''march' to dinner. At the ringing of the
dinner Bell they come out from the workshops,
rooms and cells into this open space they form
into small companies, and then each company under
the direction of q warden marches into the dining
hail. After they had marched into the hall and seat
ed themselves at the rough benches (and abies) we
were permitted to pass through. This is something
which every one who visits the State Prison desires
to see. What a sight! What pitiable sight! Ones
a
scene. he prays silently, o God. the young
of o ur State from this wretched place!
To walk through these halls, to peer into these
gloomy cells, to look through these dingy Ginning
workshops to these 147O miserable convcts pack
ed into one dining hail. and sit down to this coarse
fare, is sight to deter the worst young the
committal of crime. Doubtless, it would be the very
best addition to the education of some boys and young
III if they could witness these things before they
decide upon their future course of life.
is he rpaf ms al he off
bowl of coffee, chunk of Bread and piece of meat.
There no uXuries here; no knives and forks, no
dessert Except, perhaps just deser. If some young
men who are always complaining of the 'old man's'
fare. could fully realize this wreched lot of the
victim of crime complaint would cease and reform
BEGIN.
There at present O convics; so for life. About
nine-t tenths of them are under 70 years of age.
could not help contrasting these scenes with the
we had left only few minutes before. Here the
riffraff of the State there body of young men
gagged III of the graneest works earth. Here the
''bilge-water'' OF this great commonwealth, sunk
low in crime that little humanity remains, and where
that little be under the restraint of the strong
wall and iron chain and wardens club, as the OK un-
the lash of his MASTER there body of free young
men trying to devise ways and establish orGanisas