Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-07-19
PRISON REFORM.
What Was Done at the Great Cen.
gress in Rome About This
Subject.
A PsPsr on What Prisons and Penitsnti.
aries should Be and Ohristianity's
Duty I'm the Premises.

ST.. PAUL, MINI, July 1s.--Several
ministers attending the conference of the
Charities and Correction association
preached in the city churches this morn
ing. The only session Of conference was
that at Plymouth church tonight on the
subject Of prison reform OF the two
regular papers the first was report by
Rev. j. l.. MilIgan of Allegheny.
Pa, delegate from Pennsylvania
TO the international prison con-
gress, held in London In 1872,
and also TO the second congress, held
In Stockholm in 1873. He said President
Cleveland as we'll as the National Prison
association commissioned him to the
third international prison congress, held
at the close of last year in Rome, where
1t met on Invitation OF the king OF Italy.
Its sessions were open aud held in the
palace of fine arts. Prime Minister
NJ. Deprltis was made president
and spoke the welcome Of Italy to
the congress. The number of delegates
from Europe, Asia, England and America
was large and made up of experienced
men. The reception aud Inequalities ex.
tended by the king and queen in person
and by other high officials OF the govern
ment were most charming. The sessions
continued eight days. A display of
prison products of every conserva-
tive manufacturer occupied nine large
halls Of the palace of fine arts. The con-
gress was divided into three sections for
morning work, and in the afternoon 1t
met in general convention to hear and
pass upon the work Of the sections. The
question treated and conclusions reached
pertained to criminal Jurisprudence,
prison discipline and preventive meas
ures. The proceedings will make two
large volumes and can be secured
through our secretary of state. These
only can give fair idea of the brilliancy
and Importance of this congress. The
next one will convene at st. Petersburg.
The second paper was by Gen. BIinker.
hoff of Ohio. 1t embodied such princi-
pies Of prison reform as are now recog-
uized as axioms by all the leading philan-
thropists. The dominant idea in the
creation of the prisons should be
the protection Of society by reforma-
ton, or the permanent detention OIL
the prisoners. The old doctrine of re-
or vengeance was not tenable
under Il Christian dispensatlon, and ex.
perience had shown that II is not Elective
In the reformation of prisoners. The re-
quirements are: !. classification. The
reformation of prisoners with all offend !
eTs in association with other prisoners
was as hopeless as the publication of
a fountain with cess-pool discharging
into it, For this reason American tails !
with less than half dozen exceptions
are schools OF crime and our peniten-
Liaries are not much better In tails
every prisoner should be kept entirely
separate from every other pr soner and
the penitentiaries should be classified.
2. An indeterminate sentence under |
which criminals are sent to prison as
moral hospitals and from which they are |
not to be discharged until they are
cured.
8. Industrial employment in which
labor should be privilege and not pun
Ishment, and in the earnings of which
the prisoners should receive share. The
old slave system of contract labor should
be also displaced, and the best sub stitute
Ia most cases would be the pIece-price
plan.
4. No prisoner should be discharged
until he has been fully tested under pa
role or ticket Of leave, with police super
vision.
- IL PiioOh sOuool 10 just AS lmpOT-
ant as workshop and no prisoner
should be discharged until he can at least
read and write.
6. Prison punishment which infllcts
bodily torture should also be displaced.
They. are injurious instead of helpful, and
degrade manhood
Z. Religious instruction, and especially |
4 Christian spirit and example, are in
for the best administration
Of prisons. Prison reform is child of
Christianity, and will always need its
care.
general discussion followed, IN which
a number of delegates spoke briefly.
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