Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1892-12-21
FOR THE REFORMAT0RY
DI6CUSSION AT THE I-YCEUM
TUESDAY EVENING.
An Interesting Discussion Pariic-
ipated In by Capt, T. w. Patton,
Prof. r. r. CIaxtOn, Judge G. A.
ShufOrd and Others.

ShufOrd and Others.
There was not large attendance
upon the meeting of the Lyceum society
last evening although the discussion OF
the subject, "Reformatories for young
criminals" was of great interest and
should have been heard by many more
persons than were present.
The first speaker was Capt, I. W.
Patton, who took for his text the Divine
admonition to Peter, Feed my lambs
He read a letter from c. B. benson OF
Raleigh which stated that there were
362 inmates of the State penitentiary
under 20 years of age and 56 under Is
years. He pictured with great force the
adverse effect had upon young offenders
by contact in the common jails with the
hardened criminals. He referred to one
instance familiar to readers of THE CITI-
ZEN, where two boys had been arrested
on serious charge in Asheville and kept
for twenty-four hours in cage with the
very worst criminals, and afterwards
acquitted. The effect OF such contact, he
said, would in such cases probably be
felt throughout the lives of the boys.
Capt. Patton referred TO the steps taken
bv the North Carolina Teachers associa-
tion for the establishment of a reforma-
tory as a wise move and thought the
time ripe for this. as the people Of
every portion Of the State had begun to
take interest in the matter. He had
hoped to haye Bunco mbe's representa-
tatives present, and was sorry that
neither of them had attended. Capt.
Patton in closing read interesting ex-
= tracts from reports of houses OF refuge in
various portions of the country showing
the workings of the institutions.
Superintendent P. P. Claxton of the
city schools followed in an address Of
, some length. He considered the question
one of very great import. He believed
4 that every boy under 16 years Of age
could be saved to life of virtue by kind.
, ness and care, while, on the other hand
J they could be driven into the jails by be.
ing made think that the hand of every
man was against them. If, he thought
; the question of the establishment of q
reformatory were presented and failed
the fact would be disgrace
p "If we condemn these boys to shame
y, degradation and death, we dc
- not deserve the name of Christians.
p Prof. P. P. Claxton said he sometime:
thought it crime for dealers to display
their wares on the outside of their stores
e as a standing temptation to boys who
n go hungry and cold about the streets
|. Many boys become criminals because
they have no way of support. He be
: lieved the inmates of reformatorN
q could be supported at cost of $4 or S.
,f a month for each boy.
e Jos. H. Washburn of Chicago made ;
\. short address and thought the speaker
:. preceding him had been treating effect
q without going into causes. He favore,
re the abolition Of capital punishment.
n Auditor-elect Robt. M. Furman said
bill for the establishment OF 1eforma
IL tory had been before the Legislature, bu
a at time when the State had not tn
d money to do the work. He believed
e. however, that the present Legislator
e would favorably consider the propos
N ton. He thought the building could b
re erected at Raleigh by the States convict
Ia at comparatively small cost.
ofl Judge George A. Shuford made yer
rs interesting address. stating that he b.
" lieved, if a retormatory were established
st the colored people would be rushing t
e. it in very short time. He said that
n Eastern North Carolina the negroes wei
as committing crimes in order to get int
ly the penitentiary, because they fared be
r. ter there than they did at home. He b
e. lieved that over one.half of the crimina
II were beyond redemption.
he The meeting throughout was one
v. deep interest, continuing until after l
MS o'clock.
III The question of roads, which will Icon
ir, up next Tuesday evening, was discusse
IN informally, and on motion of Mr.. Flu
h man President Hatch was authorize
OF to appoint committee to attend Il
id proposed road Congress for North Car
de lima, whenever held.