Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-08-21
BAD MEN AND GOOD ROADS.
What 70 do with Criminals-A Practical
Solution Of . Vexed Question.

W mot 70 40 WIN Cf1mt0A1S-0 EE0SSA00A
Solution Of vexsd Question.
From the New York Journal Of Commsrca
We propose to speak now only Of those crim-
inals who are convicted and sentenced to . term
of imprisonment. II there are any guilty
aldermen not yet tried, or any bride givsrs not
caught and indicted, they may form the subject
Of future chapter. We also exclude such
murders as are under sentence Of death. They
will be petted by tender hearted women mp to
the very day of their execution, (Which will he
delayed by tears and entreaties to as late date
as possible0 and served with bouquets, ana
jellies, and embroidered pocket handkerchief
by those OF the 80 called weaker sex who glory
only in a brigand or q ferocious cut-throat, and
suffering outside Of the felons cell. But for the
unromantic burglar, the pick.pocket, the
assaulter Of deienseless girls, the dead beat
been adJudged guilty by the courts, there re-
mains q period of sequestratiOn from society
during which they ought to be doing the state
A report recently published by commission
which had been charged with the duty OF exam
nang on large scale into the treatment OF pfis,
very limited exceptions the fare In all the
highest grade and the cuiprits were fed almost
literally upon the fat of the land. We confess
nato our efe sgow Nth
OF the capital clearinghouse at which such
felons were entertained ct the public expense.
pie who live by days wages outside Of }aiIs and
Penitentiaries do not have as generous table
nor as rich diet as is regularly served to these
prison fare was bread and water, but the cuisine
has been SO radically changed that only first.
the Of these
msnts;
ment shall not be lost sight Of in the treatment
OF criminals. The process is not one of refor-
nation, and If it was the tender consideration
In the matter of work and the dainty bill of
fare are not Well fitted to beget that repentance
which must lie at the threshold Of all true re.
form. No one In q thousand of the graduates
of our penitentiaries and state prisons seeks to
earn an honest livelihood when be is dis
charged from custody. The most of them enter
at once upon fresh career OF criminality, and
caught and returned to home where they are
Well housed and clothed and comfortably fed
With no further care Of their own. There is
little in such sentence 10 deter criminal from
continuing his warfare on society as soon as he
We would have no one suffer from hunger or
would have his daily bill of fare q modification
TO the flesh. And we would make the old de-
hard labor" verify in his personal expert
ence. We would select the most profitable
form of inside work for those who are to be
Kept under shelter, but we hope to see the day
when the state will enter upon q comprehen-
sive system of outdoor labor for these dainty
house-breakers and pickpockets, tramps and
wife-beaters, who think it no great matter to be
confined few years during which they shall be
cared cared; tor out Of the public treasury.
Union, but especially in the older communities,
has led to the gross neglect, If not absolute ruin
Of nearly ell 81 the leading
we know, highway now in first-class order
across any state in the Union, and there is the
greatest need for such facilities OF communica-
believe nothing wOOld ad uch
TO the material prosperity of the rural districts
now suffering from lack of home appreciation
| adamized roads connecting all the leading
towns with their surrounding agricultural
districts.
Surely we might borrow leaf from the his
tory OF ancient Rome and construct these mon
uments OF skill aud enterprise all over the
country. The convicts are Just the men to be
utlllZed Tor this purpose. Apart from the
wholesome discipline OF the chain-gang, the
practical result OF such employment would be
tramp, every lOafer who now goes from house
TO house insulting the inmates and arrogantly
insisting on free rations, every drunkard who
hand for mis- wife and children, eAry mendi-
cant cast on OuT shores from the old world that
Is tired OF feeding and clothing him, might find
permanent highways.
In the severest part OF the winter season
break the stone or cut the masonry and prepare
the materials for bridges and culverts But
during most OF the year with pick and crowbar,
Ill up valleys or tunnel mountains and make
straight and nrm paths for honest feet. Alter
seven years service Of this kind we think no
state prison bird would boast, as one did
recently. that his sentence was only q decent
provision for his free entertainment with no
done would be the most profitable investment
the state could devise. We shall come to such
treatment Of criminals sooner or later, and we
propose to do all in our power to hasten the day
when the good work shall be inauguratad.