The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1888-12-13
OUR NEW YORK LETTER.
THE LIFE WORK or LINDA GIL
BERT, PRISON REFORMER.
Her Mission, Zeal and SUGGESTIVE Prison
to Be for Reformation and Not for Ven
Future Aims.
Especial Correspondence

Especial Correspondence
NEW YORK. Dec. 11.-As the name of
Florence Nightingale has for many years
been associated with the hospitals of the old
world, and philanthropic work in connection
with them, so that of Linda Gilbert has dur
ing the last fifteen years been identified with
the cause Of prison reform in this country; a
cause which aims at giving force to the
elements OF humanity and Justice in the ad-
mlnlstratlon OF prison rules and regulations.
Instead OF allowing the prisons of our land
to be schools Of vice, where depravity will
become, from contamination and associa-
tons, more depraved. and the perpetrator Of
crime capable Of committing darker deeds
when he shall have served his sentence and
again be permitted to emerge from the dun
geon cell into freedom, she would transform
all prisons into reformatories, where the
criminal shall be taught, If possible, to real
lze the extent OF his crime and have incul-
Gated into his mind the desire for reform.
thus transforming, as far practicable the
dangerous, criminal element of society into
useful and respectable citizens when they
shall again mngle with the world
Miss Gllberts idea is that Imprisonment
should not have for its aim 80 much the pun
1shnent OF the criminal as the safety of So
ciety against the perpetrators of crime Since
1t Is not revenge that our government should
seek IN combining it's criminals as reforms
tom; hence the reformation Of the criminal
accomplshes the object.
! Although much remains to be done in this
respect, it is astonishing what this noble wo-
man has accomplished in the time in which
she has been engaged in this humane ard
| phllanthropic work.
| Like the angel visiting the prison of olden
time. the beautiful face and gentle presence
of Linda Gilbert has lightened up the dark
cells OF thousands Of this unfortunate class
ameliorating their condition, placing the
means of self improvement within their
reach, speaking kindly words OF sympathy
and advice, thus preparing the way for the
assertion of self respect and the desire for
better life. She may very appropriately be
called The Angel Of the Prison, for sho has
been the means Of bringing light and freedom
from the debasing effects OF crime to thou
sands of darkened souls and minds During
the last fifteen years she has procured employ
ment for 5000 eX-convcts. Six hundred of
the better class of these she has by her oyy1,
individual aid established in business in
small way. She has presented twenty-five
libraries to prisons in six different states
and has In these and various other ways ex-
pended large fortune In the good work in
which She Is engaged, thus parting with her
own private property, while she devotcs her
entire time to labor for the cause
| In speaking Of the result Of her ventures in
assisting so large number by establishing
them in business, she says:
II am happy to state that not 10 per cent.
of the number thus aided have turned out
unsatisfactory. Tokeep my aims from fail
ure, have been obliged to impoverish my
self i'll this cause, and my work is now
greatly crippled for want of means" She is
at present in the west delivering addresses to
awaken an interest in the public mind with
regard to the subject, inspecting prisons etc
Among the subjects of her most impressive
addresses are Causes and Effects of Crime"
'Who are Crimnalssr etc.
In recent letter to the writer she saws.
| referring to a certain county prison in Hi
nos: 1T is n disgrace to civilization |
want to arouse the politicians here to put up
new building that shall be made a refor-
matory in every respect. l will then pre-
sent the prison with a library. Two of the
libraries formerly presented by me were de-
stroyed in the great Chicago fire Iexpect
w 'lalt JIG pI ISOliS THROUGHOUT Tie WcSU anu
do what l can for the ex-convicts and their
families, and return to New York early in
the spring" Linda Gilbert was born at Ro-
chester, n. y, and educated in Chicago, but
has made New York city her home for sew
eral years past, although considerable Of her
time is spent in travelling In the pursuance
and prosecution of her plans of work
She was born philanthropist. From a
mere child she has been interested in the I'M
fortunate, and her sympathes kecnly alive
to suffering humanity. When little girl Of
or years of age she used to visit, of her
own accord, prison nearest her home in the
west, and take some little gift, if only few
flowers to cheer the prisoners, who learned
to look upon her visits to their dark abode Us
they would stray sunbeam from heaven.
She frequently loaned them books from her
fathers library, even at this age As She
grew older this interest increased until she
decided to devote her life and fortune to this
cause. She was after a time appointed in
spector of prisons, which official position
greatly increased her opportunity Of useful
ness in this direction. Many a loathsome
cell was transformed into comparatively
comfortable quarters through her efforts In
this connection she says: Il have been called
visionary by some, most unjustly, as think,
for all OF my work has been Of the most prac-
ticll description. If go into q prison and
find the air insufferably foul, and see dirt and
vermin everywhere, with bed bugs nearly as
large as rats and as numerous as autumn
leaves, say to the prison officials, You have
no right to compel human beings to live In
such place as this, no matter what their
crimes have BEEN and If persevero until
get them to convert this den into habitable
place it seems to me to be work emincntly
practical, and | have found that after the
reform has been effected none are more proud
of it than the prison officials, from the sheriff
to the turkeys"
Miss Gilbert is of medium height, with we'll
rounded figure She has very progressing
face, face upon which intelligence, phil
anthrophy and sympathy have left
their indelble stamp. She has broad fore
head, quite prominent in the perceptive and
inventive faculties, abundant dark hair,
beautiful dark eyes and regular features
Hers is face of the type which, subjected
to the analysis Of features, will convey but
very indefinite idea of the true beauty of the
combined expression. 1t must be seen in its
varied expression to be appreciated,
Among other projects which she hopes to
accomplish in the near future is the estab-
lishment Of national home for ex-convicts,
somewhere near New York city, which will
be the browning effort of her life work. 1t will
necessitate the purchasing Of about 400 acres
of land, where home and employment will
be given both men and women Of this class,
comprising farm and its appropriate build
ings, q hennery facilities for light manu-