Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-05
physica, Torture in Prison Discipline.

PHYSICAL Torture in Prison Discipline.
We present in another part of this issue
a communication from Rev. Mr.. Snyder
in reference to Superintendent BrocAway
of the Elmira, N. Y. Reformatory. In
doubtedly much that the New York World
has published in relation to this mat
ter, has been of a sensational charac-
ter. The general public, however, in
reaching conclusions, has not been
obliged to depend upon newspaper testi-
mony. Mr.. Brockway, by his own acmis-
SION stands as the representative OF the
lash and the paddles 10 prison government.
Not only does he advocate physical punish
ment, but he admits that he has personally
administered it. He thinks he has kept
within reasonable bounds; but there seems
to be considerable difference of opinion
on this point. For some reason, which
does not appear, Mr.. Brockway appears to
have had considerable backing from the
Episcopal clergy, though prominent minis
tiers of other denominations, both in and out
of New York state, have not hesitated to
denounce him as the representative Of q
system of prison government belonging to
the past. SO prominent member of the
Episcopal church as Bishop Potter of
New York, has come TO bis assistance with
the remark that there are certain crirni-
nails who can only be made to realize
through their hides the fact that the state
has laws to which the individual must be
obedient." There are doubtless many good
citizens, Of various shades of religious be-
lief. who entertain this opinion as sincerely
as does the eminent New York bishop.
Such men will ind no fault with Mr.. Brock
way or his methods.
There are many others, however who
as earnestly and ss honestly believe
that methods of physical torture, are
not essential to the maintenance OF
prison discipline, and should have no
place in prison management. The Jour
NAL takes this view of the matter. We
believe, with Col. Ingersoll, who, ii he
has been a professional philantbropist'
has also been practical one, that "the
lash will neither develop the brain
nor cultivate the heart" There was
a time in the history of our own good
State when prisoners at the States prison in
Thomastou. were strung up by the thumbs
and logged for breaches Of discipline.
Thank God those days are past. The lash
or the paddles have no part in Warden Al
lens management. There is no Brock
wayism in Maine. We have no doubt but
what there are just as vicious des-
peradoes in the Maine State prison at
Thomastou-and they are not all ''young'
BY any mea1s-ss there are at the Elmira
Reformstory in New York, and yet Warden
Allen has no diff Guilty in maintaining ex-
cellent discipline without resort either to
the lash or the paddles-far better dis
cipline than was ever secured under
the old regime. Gentlemen who
have visited the prisons in 8 number OF
other states say that, nowhere, DO tney
find one more orderly, or better conducted,
than our own State prison at Thomaston
1t may be that Mr.. B,ockway canno,
maintain a "model prison" at Elmirs
without resort TO the paddles
and the lash, buS the history OF
many other noted prisons in tits country
show that there are number of excellent
wardens who can. 1t may be urged, how
ever, that the paddles and the lash consti'
tute simply the reform features of the
Elmira institution. If such be the case, il
would certainly seem more in harmony with
the spirit of our modern civilization 10 limit
its work to purely prison functions. Re
forms that come through the bruising OF
flesh are no. liable to be ofavery permanent
character.
Col. Ingersoll is right when he says
s'Criminals have been logged, muti'ated
aud MANNED, tortured ia thousand ways,
and the only effect was to demoralize, bar