Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-13

Crimes against property. ,74l
Crimes against person n............... s4s
Crimes against society. 25l
Grimes against Government t....... 235
Foreign white-total ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ,S5l
Able to read and write. rite.................1,50 SOC
Grimes against property. BIZ
Crimes against person. 37f
Crimes against society. ty............... 81
Crimes against Government. t....... "a
ColoTeu-Io1ai :-.-.-.---.---.,.-.-.LS5 LS5f
Able to read and write. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. S27
Crimes against property. ty...................l,400 400
Crimes against person. on.........,..... All
Crimes against society. 90
Grimes against Government. .............. 25
At the conclusion of the paper on motion
of Major McClaughry committee COM
posed of Messrs. Massie, Cassidy, McMil-
len, Tufts and Case was appointed to take
the two preceding papers and make report
on them at a meeting of the association to
be held this morning.
THE PRISONS OF EUROPE
The next paper was by Michael
J. Cassidy. Warden of the
Eastern Penitentiary at Philadelphia.
1t was on "PrisoDs 1 Visited in Ireland,
England, France aud Belgium and What
Saw!' The paper was practically report
upon the principal prisons of Europe, from
a personal inspection made by Warden
Cassidy last year, between Junes and Octo-
ber. He described all the great
prisons of England, ireland France
and Belgium, giving style of
architecture, dimensions, material of struct-
ure and the plans and systems of govern
ment, and drew for this country very fa-
vorable comparison.
The next paper on the list was from John
H. Patterson, warden of the State Prison
at Trenton, n. j. Owing to the lateness of
the hour, however, the reading of it was
postponed until this morning.
In his paper Mr.. Patterson will dwell
upon the parole system of New
Jersey.
cat the session of 1889" says the report,
'T drafted law embodying clause requir-
ing three years citizenship prior to con-
viction in order to become eligible to
parole, and it met with the Governors ap-
proval. Before its passage it was amended
to preclude prisoners convicted of certain
arson, burglary, etc.,-not
previously convicted. Others were allowed
to go on parole, but subject to be taken
back for violati-ts the conditions of their
parole and treated as an escaped prisoner.
That act was approved May 19 1891.
AN UNHEALTHY STATE OF AFFAIRS.
''In the New Jersey prison there are 900
prisoners. Sixty-six cells have two prison
ers III them instead Of one, and "a cells have
305 prisoners, an average of more than three
men to each. This is unhealthy, morally
and physically, and in violation of the State
law, and to parole moderate number of
the best prisoners would be great benefit
The question of the constitutionality of the
law, however, was not settled in nv mind,
md the Attorney General of the State was
asked for an opinion. He cited rulings of the
- IL Al r
prison inspectors, who were the ones to de-
ermine and issue the parole, had no power
whatever to do SO legally, that the courts
n sentencing prisoner for term meant
hat term to be served. By reason of this
adverse opinion the law became inopera-
i've. l submitted another law in 1891 pro-
riding that when the court of pardons met
or the purpose they were to be constituted
/ court of parole, and the keeper of State
prison was to be one of its members. 1t
passed to third reading and was then with
lrawn and another substituted and passed. |
It is now in operation and provides that the |
Court of Pardons shall issue the parole on |
erms it deems proper and signed BY the |
Governor. The prisoner will be released |
'niy when he is assured of employment, on |
recount OF old age or severe illness He |
will still be considered in custody and SO |
ong as he keeps the conditions as to good |
behavior of his parole, will be allowed to |
emain at large
''The increase of crime has been stated as |
he preponderance in 1890 of one in every |
100 or less in population, as over or against |
me in every $500 in $780, Whether it is |
Iue to immigration of pauper criminals or
o moral degeneration in society, it should |
AVE an influence on the policy of parole,
n accord with the evidence adduced and in
nswer to philanthropic demand, public
pinion has declared in favor of a parole
ystem. 1t should be given fair trial under
he wings of a republican form of govern
nent. An important question is, who
hould be paroled; not the hardened GRIM
nal who repeatedly violates the laws. nor
hose convicted of foul and dastardly out
ages. On the other hand, there are those
rho are not so wicked as weak. In this
lass may be mentioned those who steal
rom absolute want, or those who are in
uenced by the strong minds of others to
ommit crime.
HELP FOR THE PARoLED MAN.
"When outside the prison the paroled
rlminal should be given assistance in anv
fort to reform. In New York State the
'rlson Association helps the released con-
let. In Michigan the county agent of the
tate Board of Charities is paid to do that
FORK. Could not some member of the Y.
1. c. A. be engaged to do it in each Stateq
he purse as we'll as the morals
f paroled prisoners is deserving of re-en-
orcement. The total of 3 per cent of their
rages should be allowed them on their e1it
rom prison as a preventative to return to
rime which might result from want. Sn-
iety should be prepared for their reception.
be outside world is not right on this subject
he parole as an ultimate test of
estored capacity for permanent citizenship
of supreme value when fully tried, IF
,und failure in individual application II
Mould be finally determiuable SO far as thar
is concerned. He should NOT he
laced in false position where discovery
ould add to prejudice against him.