Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-05-26
TO REFORM CRIMINALS.

| ~ hEEVh ID ChlMlNAISs
Necessity OF New Plans and Better In
situations.
Boston Globe.
The subject Of prison reform Is quite
generally discussed, but one cannot blu,
be struck with the monotony Of ideas
which are expressed. Among the many
things treated is the matter Of aid to dis
charged prisoners. The state Of Masss-
chusetts, however, seems to be no nearer
the accomplishment Of that than it wa
years ago, Notwithstanding all the ad-
dresses which have been delivered, and
! all the articles that have been written or
the subject.
The suggestion Of classifying the pris
oners has always been met with the OBJ
lection that men over certain age, OF
who have been many times convicted, are
beyond the reach Of reformation. By what
authority or experience is such state
ment made? Massachusetts, has never,
till the Concord reformstory was estab-
lished, provided any adequate means OF
trying. She has had reform schools,
but these schools have graduated
criminals rather than reformed
youths. About three years ago young
! man, an inmate of the state prison, said
that at that time there were about 100
persons in the prison whom he knew in
the "reform school" Here were IA per
| cent. of the inmates who had gone
through an institution which the people
CT Masst chusetts were supporting in
order that the youth who have
evil proclivities might be made
good citizens. Is it not natural con-
cluslon to arrive st that 8 very much
| larger percentage still must have gone
| through those schools if youth OF
twenty two could recognize so many IS
his fsllow-inmates? 1t is evident that
the machinery for running those Institu-
tons is at fault, and If any reterna-
ton is to be realized in the state prison
a radical change must be made in its
internal working. A large number Of
the men confined there have been made
what they are by Circumstances over
which they have had no control. They
have never been taught to know anything
that is noble and right; yet, in coming in
close contact with them, one may soon
find that there Is spot Of the higher na.
ture hidden down deep, which, il brought
under high and noble IL d 1ences, might be
developed But this cannot be accom-
plished by a continued system of espion.
age, foul language and rough treatment.
1t is an old saying that like begets like.
This is not more plainly demonstrated
anywhere than in our penal institutions.
1t is highly essential, therefore, that our
Legislators should pass laws making IL
impossible for men to be appointed IS
officers in tho ,e places whose natures are
scarcely higher than those under their
charge possess. Under the present sys-
tenn 1t is miracle il 8 man does not come
out from prison great deal worse than
he went in; consequently, all efforts
which NAV be put forth to help prisoner
on his discharge have been badly handi-
capped.
II proper personal investigation were
made by those who have the time and OPP
por unity there would be less difficulty in
dealing with the criminal class, and the
prisons would be turning out more honest
men than hardened criminals.
A society exists in England which takes
hold of all men discharged from prison
who are willing to place themselves
under its care, and brings infu-
ences to bear upon them
which shall develop any good
that may be in them, making them fit and
safe members OF society. They are also
provided with work in the institution
which is sufficiently remunerative to en-
able them to live. The first part of work
like this should be done by the state,
and why is it not done? Why Is 1t that
the public are compelled to pay taxes for
the making and looking after criminals,
and then obliged to put hands in pockets
to sustain philanthropic efforts to
undo what the state has done?
But SO Indifferent is the public mind to
this question that delay after delay has
been caused in doing something in Boston
which will benefit this unfortunate class
One Of the principal arguments to be con-
tended with is that "public sentiment is
not ripe for any such STEP" Whether
such be the case or not re-
mains to be proven, but until that
sentiment is tested by individual
and persistent appeal nothing positive
can be known. The truth is that among
people who have never given the matter
any consideration, and who are naturally
conservative on such topics, there is q
very great readiness to listen, and q
hearty approval of such plans as have
been suggested for the accomplishment
Of the reform of prisoners.
Something must be done, and done at
once. Other countries are going ahead
Of this country in this matter. The pub
lie has 9 duty to discharge in this line
which It is high time to awake to. An
institution should be provided for all men
coming from prison who would be will
ing to enter it, subj scted to such judic-
ious rules and bealthful Influences as
would raise and establish their moral
character and furnish them with such
work as would be remunerative to them
while IN the institution and of value to
them when they leave.
Wien gun-cotton or other high expIo-
siyss have been freely exposed unon an