Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-10-21
THE PRISON REFORMERS.
Second Day of the National Association
at Detroit.
A Number OF Valuable Papers Read BE.
fore the Meeting.

DETROIT, October 20.-The subject for
discussion at the morning session OF the
National Prison Congress, was, "Discipli-
nary Measures in Prisons" Before this
topic was formally taken up Secretary
Rounds read letters from President Cleve-
land, regretting his inability to be present;
from W. /. Sargent of Great Britain,
favorlng reformatory measures; from ex-
Gov. Reed OF Florida, advising the abolish
ment OF capital punishment; from the
ke"". Samuel W. Dyke, favoring securing
of accurate criminal statistics; from Sir
Walter Crofton, the apostle of the Irish
indeterminate 81 stem, reciting some of the
crime preyeutatives coming under his OBJ
servation.
The discussion of the morning was pre-
sided over by NJ. J. Cassidy, warden OF the
Eastern Pennsylvania penitentiary, vino
opened with paper in which he favored
substituting those knowing their business
in place OF The political and ignorant
prison officials, He reviewed the qles-
ton briefly, and introduced R. W. Nc
Claughey of Chicago, who read paper
on prison Punishment" He believed
the best way to reform the isoners is to
reform the prison officials. Vindictiveness
| in the application of penalties should be
| unknown. The simplification of rules was
| advocated. All prison officials should
| often govern by friendship. AS to methods
/ of punishment he left that to the officers
| Furnishing, but he opposed penalties that
| are humiliating. Prison labor he indorsed
| as necessity. Proper motives should
| always govern the officials.
Warden Nicholson of the Detroit House
of Correction believed society needed re-
forming more than the prison officials do.
| Punishment he considered painful neces-
sity, and gave an account of different pen
alties and briefly recited some simple rules
| for prison use.
| Col. Thomas F. Barrs OF the United
States army described the system Of army
| prisons and penalties. In answer to q
1 question, he said that in the army they
were well satisfied with the present ar
rangemens3 with State prisons, but could
see that it was advisable to have govern
| ment prisons.
During the further discussion of the
| topic SOLITARY confinement was shown
to be the most general penalty, but much
was to be left 10 the option of the officers.
In the afternoon "chsplain's meeting
was held, Chaplain G. H. Hickox of the
Michigan State Prison at Jackson pre-
siding. This is the first lime such meet.
ing has been held, and the chairman con.
sidered it progress of the right kind.
The Rev. Dr.. A. G. Byers of Columbus
O., was the first speaker. He spoke from
an experience of six years rs a chaplain
giving an account of his efforts for anG
with the prisoners. The chaplain can dc
much to alleviate the hard condition o.
the convicts, but should be always subor
dinate to the warden.
Chaplain Morse of Blackwell's ISLAND
followed with a brief talk of a similar
nature. Both speakers emphasized thu
absolu o need Of genuine sympathy with
4 fIn II n = -,
question often arose in his mind whether
it was harder for man to be sent to prison
or to be sent out.
Henry Warden, of Allegheny, Pa, pre-
sided during the consideration of County
prisons, their internal management" II,
opened the discussion of that topic with
talk on the importance aud methods o
management of such prisons, giving hi
own experience in his management il
| Allegheny county.
Mrs. j. B. Hobbs of Chicago entered he
plea il, favor OF matrons IN the police sta
tions
After further discussion of the question
OF county prisons the session adjourned.
Il EVENING SESSION,
At the evening session the secretar,
read a paper by the Hon. Frederic Hill
son of the famous Recorder Hill of BIZ
} minghsm, and brother of Sir Rowlan,
!, Hill. the originator of the cheap postag
system of Great Britain, on the subject Q
"Prison Discipline" The writer claim
that the subject OF prison discipline
founded on common sense, and ther
should be 70 hesitancy in considering il
Those whose example would have ba
influence on others should Ee shut up I'll
they can be safely restored to liberty.
anything has been stolen sufficient labo
shuld be required to indemnify the perso
robbed; if bad conduct results from ignc
rance instruction is recommended, if it re
| suits from idleness training for productiv
work is advised. If bodily harm has bee
inflicted he must be placed where its rept
tition will be impossible. The offender
whatever his crime, should not, after hi
confinement, be suddenly set free, bu
| should be required to give good evijenc
of ability to lead an honest life. The pape
| closed with an exhortation for the Nations
| Prison Association to continue in th
: | work it has been so we'll carving on.
!, ]. C. Taylor, secretary and agent of th
+ | Connecticut Prisoners Aid Association
!. . read paper on discharged Prisoners.
"Moral Education in Prisons" was tn
subject of an address by c. A. Calm {
Elmirs, N. Y.
/. Prof. Charlton T. Lewis, chairman c
!. | the Executive Committee of the Prise
| Association of New York, described 9Th
English Prison System" and Secretar
:, VIM. NJ. F. Rounds of New York close
the session by urging the importance {
8 | the organization of prison associations
the States. During the day many of th
, | members of the association were visitor
!, to the Detroit House of Correction.
1