Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1885-10-19

cburcbes being closed to allow their con-
grerations to attend. thus insurlng o
crowded house. Several of the speakers
reiOiccd al the large audience, which they
aid was the largest ever known In the
history ofprison reform. After announce
ihents by Secretary Rounds, a time was
given to religious exercises.
Bishop Harris of Detroit then spoke
briefly Of the subject Of The evening, stat
ing that the fundamental principle OF
Christianity was especially applying to
prisoners whom Is promised freedom.
The many past failures at reform are not
60 be considered as due 20 the inability OF
the Christian religion to act. lie believes
that nowhere do we know so little how TO
act as Ia the treatment of the criminal
classes. II is a noteworthy sign OF the
opinion Of the times that so many cmineut
men are seeking through the gospel TO
help the prisoners
lie then introduced Bishop Gil
lespic Of Grand Rapids, Mich,
la member OF the Michigan
state board OF charities, who selected the
clause, ~ believe in the forgiveness OF
sins, as that part OF the creed on which
all can agree and which Is the foundation
of all work in this line. The foundation
OF every effort In behalf Of the prisoner II
laid in Christianity itself. He considered
the different opinions OF criminals held
speaking of thomas incorrigible) as the
victims OF hereditary or as an unfortu-
note class "The world owes me liy-
Ing" was considered the motto of
the criminal who should be
suppressed The gentemanly bur
glar he described as such man,
He condemned promiscuous sympathy,
but iudorsed aid in all their efforts for
reform. He told of the improvements
now making In Michigan and spoke in be-
half OF Christian effort in behalf of re-
leased prisoners, condemning the unwill-
ingncss Of the public 10 aid them.
Rev. DR.. Henderson Of the Detroit As
ISOLATION of Charities followed with the
query: "What can the church do TO
help in the efforts 10 save and 80 bless
the criminals which he answered,
arguing for the teaching of trades in
prisons, that the released prisoner may
have wherewith to sustain life. Good
care while in prison is important. but it
Is not everything. Teach and lead the
prisoners into being better men and
women He believed this question also
involved the question of industrial cduca-
ton in the public schools. Pauperism is
often the cause of crime and the children
OF pauperism should be taken up and
cared for.
Bishop Harris next introduced Gov.
Russell A. Nger OF Michigan who wei
coined the congress and then spoke briefly
OF the importance of prison reform, telling
Of the management of the Michigan penal
Institutions,
Rev. A. II Wynds, secretary of the
Illinois state board Of charities, was the
next speaker who gave the same idea of
the individual reformatory work already
done and possible Of accomplishment,
"Can criminals be rciormed!" GLOW
can they be reformed;" care they re-
formcd:' were given a. the questions to
answer which this congress had met.
Rev. Dr. \. g. Bycrs OF Columbus,
Ohio, secretary of the state board of cor
rcctionS and charities. next was intro
duccd. lie believed that notwithstand-
inc the general hopclcSsnes, of their po-
sition prisoners can be reformed. He
wished To discriminate In the use OF the
word criminal, maintaining that all con-
yictcd persons are not criminal in charac-
ter. Ia his state a third conviction giyes
a sentence without date, the prison man
ayers being authorized to release them on
good evidence ofrciorm or to keep thcm
imprisoned for life.
Gen. Il. Brinkcrhof OF the Ohio board
OF charities and correction deprecated The
increase of crime, and spoke of the in
creased necessity for more effective re-
iormatory methods.
Rev. Dr. Gray, dean Of the theological
seminary OF Harvard college at Cam
bridge, Mass, was the last speaker, and
emphasized the work of the National
Prison association as the embodiment of
the Gospel.
The regular business session, OF the
congress begins tomorrow