The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-02
The National Conference of Charities.

If in the mind Of any reader there is a lin
gering impression that the conference of char
tiles is body of men and women each of
whom is so devoted to one idea that they can
be classified as cranks. or that they are body
Of impracticables. be would only have TO at
tend one session in order to be converted to
very different and positive opinion. He would
learn that the conference Is not a collection OF
men and women each of whom has a scheme
for alleviating the wretchedness of the human
family or for Kidding society of the greater part
OF the evils and costs of vice and crime, but al
Intelligent and earnest body of men and women
who have had large experience as members Of
State boards Of charities and correction. and
have well-defned plans for carrying out the
work which they have begun. Nor are these
plans mere untred theories on the contrary.
they have successfully borne the test of expe-
rience The evil of pauperism will increase
in large cities and spread out into the open
country while public charity is undscrimi-
mating and private charity is not organized
and looks only to the immediate relief of the
unfortunate, often doing more harm than
good. The intelligent philanthropist has
discovered that pauperism is largely due TO
inefficiency, incapacity, and to vice to some
extent. and that the only way TO lessen it
is to lessen the number OF the inefficient.
This c&n be done by finding employment for
those who can work andby teaching the chill
dren of these unfortunates. They have found
that the way % lessen crime is to teach the
child whose environment tends TO make him
a criminal, and TO save those who would be-
meHconfrmed criminals by surrounding
them with influences which will rescue
them and give the training which will
place them above the ordinary temp
tations of criminalty. To that end
ell institutions for the protection of society
against vice and crime are to be radically
changed-in fact. under the influence Of the
.<,f oho. 70
Citations they are being changed. Years ago
punishment was the only end the State had
in view in its criminal legislation punish
ment that had no end or purpose but penalty
for the violator of the law and warning for
others. There was no distinction made be-
tween those who violated the law, whether he
WAS the old offender or the one guilty of
first oifense under the influence of
sudden impulse. All this has been
changed. Al intelligent and humane States
make broad distinction between the classes
of offenders mt the present time, and their
penal institutions are based upon the idea OF
reform when possible rather than punishment
based upon sentiment Tor which yengence rs
the fttest name. Poor-houses, which have i'll
all ages been the primaries for the teaching of
vice and crime TO helpless children, are made
war upon to the end that children be kept out
of them and put under wholesome influence.
The Jail, which has been an intermediate
school IN the teaching OF professional vice and
crime is to be changed so that those com
mitted to it shall be divided The insane are
no longer to be simply confined. but all that
science and experience can do 10 bring relief
or cure Is 10 be done. Such are few of the
objects which the members of the national
conference have undertaken 20 promote.
They come together TO compare notes. To-
consider plans and TO devise measures to
carry out plans upon which they have already
agreed, and which, so far as tested. have been
crowned with abundant success. Such OBJ
jects and efforts are, in themselves. very
good sort of religion Indianapolis Journal