The Bessemer indicator., 1893-06-03
HOME FOR EX-CONvICTs.
A PLACE FOR MEN RELEASED
FROM PRISON.
After Serving q Term In Prison Convicts
Had Nowhere TO Go and Oiten
Committed Criino Until
the Home Was Built.

Alighting from train at the little
West Philadelphia station of Paschall
after a fifteen minutes ride from
Broad street station, passing along a
little footpath and turning to the left,
one sees on the very corner OF seven
ty-third street and Paschall avenue
nm old-fashioned two-story house, dis
tinct from the frame dwellings
around 1t in that 1t Is built OF stone.
Within its walls is located the Home
of Industry for discharged prisoners
of Pennsylvania, says tho Philadel-
phia Times.
The majority OF people. perhaps.
do not pause to contemplate the
difficulties encountered by criminals
when, after serving term in prison.
they wish to begin life anew. II has
been proved by those who have given
the matter attention that criminals
who have been duly punished are
usually anxious to regain their stand
ing as honest mon. And it has been
proven also that too often they are
driven back to theft and robbery by
the rcpulses OF their kind. Who is
more friendless or forlorn than the
on his own resources, possibly dogged
by detectives and knowing that no
one aware Of his history will employ
him be his need ever SO great? What
course is open to him but life OF
dishonesty For men of this class
never beg; they will support them
selves, though it be by questionable
means.
Entering tho building from the
front one passes first into the square
parlor in which religious services are
conducted at stated times. Here Is
small organ, there tall desk be-
tween the windows; plain chairs are
ranged round, and the floor is covered
with well-worn carpet On the walls
are scriptural texts illuminated and
framed. Through folding doors one
sees into the back parlor, wherein Is
well-deflned bookcase, and thence
one passes into the dining room, with
its low ceiling, long table and form
idable array Of chairs Opening out
OF this is the kitchen, OF which the
managers are justly proud, and which
forms q part of the annex recently
erected. 1t is large and cheerfully
light, with shining oil-cloth OH tho
floor, and is fitted up with everything
needed.
Next to the kitchen is the superin-
tendent's Office where another book
case. containing the works of stand
ard authors, stands near his desk,
and through another door one enters
the wash room, where everything
has been arranged for the large num-
ber OF men. or the sleeping rooms
it need only be said that they corre-
spond in ncatness and comfort.
Across the yard is the workshop, q
long, low shed, where the men work
daily Mt Recommending. which trade
they are taught. For luck Of room
and suitable appliances the work Is
brooms are of the best and the man
ayers could easily find a market for
three times as many rs can he turned
out under present conditions.
Tho home has been located in this
building for two years and has pros
pered in that time. During the past
year 109 men were admitted. twenty
three OF these found employment.
fifty-cight left OF their own accord,
some to assist similar institution
in New York; forty-three were fur
nishcd with meals and temporary
lodgings and only eight were dis
charged for cause.
Some of these same ex-prisoners in
talking OF their past told how they
once entered u house when there was
only little girl there. They knew
that the owner had in Lis possession
sum OF several Thousand dollars
which they intended to capture. In
their search for it one of them came