Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-03-28
a soErE Ar THE srArE PRISON.

A sCENE AT THE STATE PRISON.
A Notable murphy Rally at the Prison
warden Ohamberlain Cheered by
the Assembled Convicts-More AlIe-
CATIONS OF Cruel Treatraent Made by
the World.
HARTFORD, March 27.-That was nota-
BILE meeting at the state prison Sunday at
which Temperance Orator Murphy adj
dressed the prisoners who were gathered
in the chapel. Orator Murphy in opening,
surveying his audience, said to them that
they did not have the appearance of being
underfed or abused, which produced an
acquiescent smile. The Hartford Courant
says of the occasion:
the chapel at the state prison at Wethersheld
YESTERDAY morning during Mr.. Murphy's visit
impressed countenances Of his hearers 'I relaxed
hed tred ta up With feelings
The ssr 81 tae
was relaxed for the occasion and an air Of com
paratlye freedom prevailed under the watchful
Eassd 2. We maraen chamberlain, Deputy Warden
IN "a. attendance at chapel was made eonapulso-
marched in with the lockstep under the guidance
.Ghaplain Atwood took charge Of the services
course, as usual, he .ran the meettn'." warden
Iah am 70 lain, Deputy Warden G. E. Baisden,
Peardsley, "sam" g. DeArmitt, Edward j.
Lloyd. Abiah Brown, Mrs. w. O. Bolles Mrs.
For Ford. Miss Alice Robbins, three newspaper men
ana several other persons from this city were
among those who occupied seats on or around
the platform facing the convicts. The prison
cnoir OF eight voices, four white and four celored
COQVICtE. Vathara6 around the miami rUh Mol.
son B. Bassett played.
Beside the singing and music there was
short talk by Warden Chamberlain, in
which he urged the prisoners to let LIQUOR
alone when they left the prison, abstinence
from which is enforced in the prison. He
then introduced Mr.. Murphy, who made
one OF his characteristic speeches, full of
sympathy, love and human kindness. He
told them funny stories, always with a
moral, and bade them hope. He told them
he did not believe, as some do, that they
were incorrigibles. Mr.. Murphy then ap-
pealed to them through the pathos of the
story Of a mothers love to resolve
to lead better lives. As he dwelt upon
the love their mothers, wives or children
formerly bore for them, many became
restless, shifting uneasily in their seats
and rubbing their eyes until they could be
seen to fill with tears. Their emotions
were aroused and it was easy to tell that
many hearts deadened by lives of sin and
crime were touched by Mr.. Murphy's ap-
peals. Mr.. Murphy asked all those to hold
up their hands who believed that if thew
had signed the pledge at eighteen years of
age they would not have landed in state
prison, and great show of hands re-
suited. 1t seemed as though all but few
responded. He then enlarged upon the
effects Of drinking.
Warden Chamberlain next spoke brie fy,
and appealed to the prisoners, saying he
had been accused of brutal conduct. He
said he had received many letters from
mothers of boys there asking him to not
illtreat them. He said: "I've been accused
OF brutal tyranny, worse than that of the
Car Of Russia. I'll leave the verdict to
eight years" The men generally mani
tested their confidence in the warden by
applauding him.
After the men had signed, Warden
Chamberlain invited the deputy and keep
ers to sign the pledge and said, ''I'Il lead the
way" which he did by signing-the pledge
card. Mr.. Chamberlain then pulled blue
ribbon through his buttonhole.
This was too much for Chaplain At
woods enthusiasm, which couldn't be fur
Their restrained. He jumped to his feet
and called for three cheers for the warden,
which were given with hearty good will
by the men; Then MI: Chamberlain re-
buked the chaplain. He said: "You're too
previous. I'll not allow the men to ap.
plaud me. If do they might also hiss me
and should punish them: I'll have no
more applauding."
One of the features of the meeting was
the fine ringing of familiar hymns and
tunes. The prisoners seemed to greatly
enjoy and appreciate it.
The New York World yesterday re-
turned to the conduct of affairs at the
prison and quotes Edward Burns of
Bridgeport, who was recently released from
the prison, where he was eent for two
years for stealing safe, and who in the
course of his complaints eaid:
Men not able to work, men who were coughing
and splitting blood, have been put there for not
working have seen the bodies of such men
brought sn S cut and carried to the dead house: 4
shs tsefs hss
In ANY any f other prison in the country.
Of q young prisoner named Connolly sent him a
basket OF good things. 1t arrived a DAY late
was done with it, but Connolly never g5t it.
Once year the prisoners get a good meal-on
the tn last day ef January; A rich man named
time in Wetnersfield. He knew how the prison
ers were treated and left sum Of money, the
interest Of which buys a square meal for the
prisoners once year.
William Gallagher, twenty elk years old,
also recently released convict, who was
sent up for four years for highway rob-
berry, Of which he alleges he was innocent,
claims that cdr. Dauder of Bridgeport has
examined me, and pronounced my lungs so
diseased that cannot expect to live much
longer. I am weak and cannot work. My
parents and brothers are all healthy.
There is no reason why I should be the
physical wreck am, save the treatment I
received in Wethersield."