The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-08-26

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cure, but, then, the cure is needed just the
same Penologists are agreed that the
classification of prisoners is imperative,
but while this reform is being carried into
effect what is being done to classify mea
and women Just released from prison5
1t is conceded that young and old crimi-
mails ought to be separated while in con-
fnement, but the influence OF penologists
must be carried beyond the prison to have
lasting effects. Any policeman can tell
the old story of the up hill fight which the
ex-convict must wage W ben he leaves the
scene of his disgrace. He is branded
man, and the hand of society is against him.
But he has other discouragements to
contend with. His cid companions dog
him If he tries to lead an honest life. They
blackmail him; perhaps they expose him.
aud nine times out of ten, when the story
of his shame is known, he loses his place,
no matter how well ne may have filed IL.
What can the poor wretch do9 Naturally
he is driven to return to his old life.
With the professional criminal we have
nothing TO do here He has found his
place, and society has put lock on it.
SAD PART OF A BIG CITY.
But let US consider the condition of the
young man who has served his first term
in the penitentiary on Blackwell's island.
1t does not follow that he is irreclaimable
because he has been shut up for year on
the island. But he might think so were it
not for the work Of several philanthropic
institutions in the city, and the one upper
most in mind is modest little mission
which has taken hold in a most practical
way of the laborious task of retaining ex-
conviets.
This is the Bible ard Fruit mission, and
the field of its labors is In the lower part of
East Twenty-sixth street, a section which
is a material reminder of the ups and
downs of life. 1t is only one block from
First avenue in Twenty sixth street to the
East river, but sorrow, sickness, shame and
death stare at one another down that little
stretch Of land.
The Bellevue hospital rears its grim edi-
fee along the north side of the street, and
is relieved only by the slightly building of
the Training School for Nurses which ad-
joins it. But the morgue, with all its
CHASTITY horrors, comes next, resting upon
the river bank, in charge of the citys
Charon. Across the street from the hos
pital are several undertakers' establish
ments. Below them are the Medical
School of the University of the City of New
York
Next come the modest but substantial
buildings of the Bible and Fruit mission,
and then at the end of the street is, appro-
priately enough. the pier of the commission
of charities and correction. Here is where
the Black Maria unloads its charges who
are doomed for incarceration on the island.
Here is where the outcast takes his fare
well from his family and friends, if he has
any, and here is where he first steps on
shore as a free man when his term expires
FACILITIES FOR THE WORK.
A disheartened man would find no en-
couragement if it were not for the Bible
and Fruit mission, the City Prison associa-
ton, the Home of Industry and other prac-
tical philanthrOpic institutions. This ter
ritory belongs more properly to the mission
on account of its situation there, though
philanthropy of the right kind knows no
bounds or limit in its work. But the mis-
sion devotes one of its branches to reclaim
ing ex-convicts who have Just returned
from the island.
The main objects of the mission are to
care for the sick in the city hospitals and
prisons, and also to furnish food and lodg-
ing for poor but honest men. The mission
is succeeding in this line ofwork, but from
a broader point of view it would seem that
it's more modest endeavor, that of assisting
released prisoners, was more deserving of
encouragement in this eminently practical
age.
Judged by results, the mission has &C
complished a great deal in this direction
But it is an institution Of a symmetrical
scope, and leaves little undone in the way
of getting at the unfortunate people who
need the proper kind of help. 1t has an
organization that includes many practical
and wealthy philanthropists, and it sup
ports an eating and lodging house, a broom
factory and a chapel The buildings are
modest, but not unattractive
The coffee house, as the eating house is
called, can seat 80 people, and serves 400
or 500 meals day at prices that are within
the reach of the poorest patrons in the neigh
borhood. The lodging house can accom-
modate $50 men, and they have to pay only
fifteen cents for a nights lodging. The
broom factory stands behind the other
buildings, where its charges work in seclu-
sion.
HOW MEN ARE RECLAIMED.
Now, the system employed in reaching
criminals is simple, but it requires grit
and plenty of compassion. The mission is
conducted by women, some of whom are
we'll known in society. They have COM
mittee which visits the charitable and pc
nal institutions of the citV The mem hers