Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-06
The Conference of Charities and
Correction.

The Conference of Charities anu
Correction.
The thirteenth National Conference Of
Charities and Correction will meet this
year a. st. Paul, Mimi. on Thursday,
July Is. There is every reason for think
ing that there will be very large attend
ance. The conference is increasing in
popularity, and the benefits which flow
from it are greater and more generally APP
preciated each year. At the last confer
enoe, which met at Washington, d. c.,
there were 400 delegates from 80 S ates
present. SO large an attendance is con-
elusive evidence of widespread interest.
The object of the conference is pretty
well understood. 1t may be of interest TO
some, however, to have it stated fully and
clearly. IL is ''tO obtain and to diffuse in
formation respecting benevolent, charita-
Bile, penal, and reformatory work, en-
bracing the care aud cure of the insane;
the saving and the protection and refor-
nation OF children and youth; the whole
subject OF prison management and reform,
the education and the care OF the blind,
the deaf and dumb, and the feeble
minded; the prevention and cure Of
pauperism; the management OF work
| houses and poOr-houses; In fact, every
means devised for ameliorating the con-
dition of the defective, dependent and de-
| linquent classes OF our fellow-beings. Pa
pels on the different topics Will be pre-
scented by distinguished men, supposed to
be the best informed in the country on
the subjects discussed. Practical men
will be present in large numbers, who
have devoted years, perhaps lifetime, to
the study OF a speciality. Theories will be
tested by the light of experience. The
| best methods are thus discovered. The
mistakes sometimes very COSTLY OF the
older States NAV thus be avoided by the
new, and every advantage given to those
DESTROYS Of improving existing institu-
tions, or founding new ones"
Only those who have given the subject
careful attention know how little is be-
ing done for the improvement of the con-
dition of the inmates Of benevolent, char
liable, penal and refOrmatory institutions,
or how great the opportunity is which
these Institutions offer tor work that is
for the public good.
immemorial been given to the reformato-
ry feature OF the punishment OF criminals,
and while also some effort has always
been made towards ameliorating the con.
dition of those who. in accordance with
The demands Of She best interests OF sOcie
ty, are cared for in asylums and refor-
matory institutions, never before, per-
haps, in the history of the world, has so
much interest been taken in efforts in be-
half OF those who are burdens on the pub
lie because Of physical, mental and moral
defects as at present. The Construction
and government Of prisons, asylums and
refOrmatOry institutions are now based,
10 a greater extent than ever before, upon
the idea that the weak and defective are to
be helped where help Is possible. The aim
is to keep the bad from becoming worse,
to give the good there is In those who
have been condemned by the laws ofsoci-
ETY. chance TO show itself, to help TO
make life pleasanter TO those who have
grave physical defects, and to strengthen
those who are dependent.
There isn't any reason to doubt that the
world is gradually growing better. There
are many things which tend TO prove that
1t is, but whether il is or not it is certain
that the feeling is growing stronger that
it is better to give convict a chance TO
become an honest and useful citizen than
to make II impossible for him to be any
thing else than a criminal; that tits better
u reform those who are inclined 10 be im-
moral than TO treat them as if past retor-
nation; that 1t is the part OF wisdom TO
make every effort to cure the insane. to
educate the deaf and dumb so that they
can take care of themselves and to make
paupers contribute to their own support.
The conference is doing a good work.
1t is making its influence felt. IL is
growing stronger and better able TO grap-
pie with the task it has undertaken. 1t
seeks to educate public opinion with re-
spect to the matters VITA which it deals,
because it expects to gain its ends by the
help OF public opinion.
The conference at st. Paul in July prom
ises not only to be well attended, but 10
be attended by persons OF prominence
from all parts of the country. The ad-
nirable arrangements for the accommOda-
ton OF delegates and visitors will help to
insure "A large attendance.