The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-05-20

prison Registration" which states that "the
commission appointed to suggest amendments
to the organization OF the Caster Judiciare met
at the Office of the minister OF Justice on the
18th day of February. IL decided that certain
convictions which are not entered upon the
register should be entered there In case OF re-
lapse. and that correctional convictions which
are not properly TO be entered upon the regis
ter should be efaced seven years after the
prisoners discharge, in case there is no sub Sc
quent conviction. On the goth OF February
at q later meeting OF the commission, il was
decided TO enter upon the register all con-
victions, with three exceptions, namely, con-
victions for misdemeanors punishable by fine
exceeding one hundred dollars, sentences to
ak months imprisonment under the Goth arti-
Gle of the penal code. and sentences to one
months imprisonment fo- any offense other
than theft. abuse OF confidence. fraud, or an
outrage upon good morals. The commission
also .reafiirmed a former resolution d. ciaring
that there should never be entered upon the
register applications OF article &C. OF the penal
code. nor sentences to police supervision where
there extenuating circumstance nor con-
victiOns efaced by the rehabilitation OF the
prisoner, nor judgments for bankruptcies, nor
disciplinary judgments not susceptible of erss-
ure in consequence OF rehabilitation. Recidi-
vism involves the entry upon the register OF all
convictions whatever may have been their
character. There Is no exception to the rule
OF registration IN the case OF foreigners, except
when reciprocal agreement exempts French
convlcts from similar registration abroad. The
registers are entirely private and no one can
see them or obtain copyof the records, except
those who are authorized by law"
IL is evident. as will be seen from the report
Of the committee on reports from states on
statistical agencies:
/. That no state keeps complete statistical
records.
2. That there Is no conformity among states
as to the few and fragmentary records that are
kept.
3. That there is an absence OF scientific
method.
In any we'll organized charity organization
society all these classes would be registered,
and all the facts bearing upon the case would
be known. Only on such knowledge could
there be intelligent action. Is it not evident,
then, that here lies before vast field into
which we must enter? These are the wards OF
the state. We must know them as a whole
and as individuals. We must know the in
dividual history, the characteristics of each
one. IL is not enough simply 20 feed them
and 10 determine the per capita cost of food or
clothing or shelter. Each one Of these must
be followed through all the years OF his history
From the data furnished irom careful individ-
ual study, comes the knowledge of the laws
which govern them, OF the conditions In which
these classes and manifestations OF the per-
turbed or wandering mind develop, and of tho
means which must be taken to prevent to
aquestion of economy; 1t is question OF So
GEOLOGY. Such reports would be absolutely
private, for the use only OF those whose bust
ness il is to know them. The difficulties In the
way are enormous, but they are not insur-
mountable. The cost would be great but il
would be well worth the expenditure. This
will give the dignity OF science to our work.
IL would make possible the use of the com
parative method. ] believe il would he the
means OF redeeming our institutions from
Ill 49, l. III Il. 4.
men.
1t is evident that in the secretaries OF our
state boards we have the means of initiating
this uniform registration. And suggest that
they shall be made corresponding secretaries Of
their respective states, and that they prepare a
plan for securing this registration with the ac-
companying data.
Is it too much TO expect that a subject so
vast and involving interests so many shall at
some time become matter OF national mo-
ment?
James Whitcomb Riley concluded the
program for the evening with one OF his
character sketches, and as usual the audi
ence wanted more. It's entitled Gan In
cident OF the Insane Asylum"
Rmey's Character study.
Mr.. Riley on coming forward said /:
Gentlemen and ladies, knew a man, q
shoemaker. some years ago. He was a
citizen of my native town. He was an
honest and much-loved citizen. The man
had family OF three children and a wife.
His eldest boy was about the age OF twelve
years. They had pretty little shop. 1
knew the father by the name OF Dutch
Frank. have simple story to tell about
him. Frank was a man of lovable nature.
The little children loved him. He was
fair and honest with all who knew him
90 A.,-f L 4
quence. After some time they had to ex-