Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1885-09-05
Treatment Of COnvicss


Every exertion possible ought to be
made TO reform our convicts. The fact
that some Of TIE most vicious OF them
have been thoroughly reformed should
be argumen SUE eient to make an Of
fort to reform all oonvicts. Ii but one
out OF dozen Ia reclaimed and brought
back to the paths Of honesty and made
q good citizen, that will pay largely In
the effort made TO reform all. What
this enlightened age of the country
needs is not 30 many institutions for
punish ment of crime, and more ipsti-
buttons for the reformation Of criminals
and unfortunates. We need fewer pill.
tories, whippin posts and con victs'
Jackets, and more of the moral restrain
ing influences Of the principles Of peace
and love for our fellow man In dis
tress.
1t is commepdable mark of the
rapid advance of christian influence to
Aud these reformatory institutions in
creasing in number in nearly every
State of the MON. They are organized
and the spirit of self-sacrifce and be-
nevolence is put in active operation 10
reclaim the young and the old, the In
temperate, the vicious, male and female,
and wherever they have been Instituted
they have brought forth golden fruit.
This same spirit has been manifested
here in our State, and though our law
makers have been long In recognizing
1t, we have at length reform school,
called the Ferris Reform School, which,
though only in state of organization,
10, we believe, destined to save large
numbers OF boys from vicious, crimi
nal life, and turn their thoughts and
actions into those channels which lead
TO exalted lives Of usefulness.
Amongst the reformatory institution
of the country 10 one at Elmira, New
York, which is making it's impress 70
good. The convict who enters tn
Elmira Reformatory Is informed 8
the time of his entrance OF the max
mum time for which he can be detair
ed, but that he can, by perfect conduc
win his release in one year. To effe
this, however, he must obtain certa
number Of credit marks, and these q
constantly liable to be cancelled by I
glect or ill.behavior. II he Is engag
at work in shop, he is marked .
cording to his diligence, his sharp
tention to his work and his volunts
willingness to labor.
II he Is listless, sights his work, a
does not give his mind and energy
1t, he not only misses the getting
credit, but will lose some that he
already gained. There Is no escape
him. He must work, and that witt
will In behavior he must be perfect
obedience to the many and min
rules laid down, Of which he has
printed copy. In school he Is requi
70 study according TO his capacity (
the marking Is much the same rs |
we'll regulated high school
But while he must be perfect In "
and behavior, he will pass In schoo
he gains seven ty q We In q possible
hundred. To be perfect, three ma
must be earned each month In all Il
three departments. II he has !
marks to his credit at the end of c
month for six successive months
rises out Of the intermediate grade
pas ses into the first grade II o
being put in the first grade he mi
nine good marks each month for
months he may be released. But
does not in six months In the inter
diate grade reach promotion TO
frst grade or at any time that his
duct demands it he is put into the t
grade. No matter how well he "
or how hard he studies, II he Is II
OF misconduct he goes down to the
grade, and no matter how well h,
haves If hewon't work he goes dow
the same, and no matter how wei
behaves and works, II he won't 8,
ne goes down. Work, good behs
and study arc the three essential
the convict's reroruc.tion, and the
hand in hand working 1t out.
may say that this is severe req
ment, but this being ant...ow',.Ad sf
must consider, and the convict
consider as well that lie is not wo
for pleasure and profit like
guilty Of no crime. Hell maxim
atonement for his past misdeeds a.
the same time liberty Is placed "
his reach. The doors of hope ar
closed upon him, and he is gis
chance to escape. 1t is for him 70
his punishment light or heavy 1
may elect. If he fails to reach t
uuirements made OF him he
sink back to his old level and
to him will have an empty me
We hope the day is not far {
when Delaware will have such
stitutiou as we'll as the admiral
that Is being put into operation
reformation Of boys.