St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-06-17
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plants and mowers. The occasion was
In some part OF social character. as
many of the delegates then met each
other for the first time since reaching
the city, old acquaintonces were re-
newed and new ones formed.
At Sis o'clock Judge A. c. Hickman,
chairman of the local committee on en-
tertainment, took the chair. saying that
he was happy in behalf of the citizens
of st. Paul to extend hearty welcome
to the delegates and visitors. The peo-
pie, he remarked, were greatly in SYM
pathy with the object of the meeting
and if at some period such gathering
might have been looked upon as con-
gregation of misguide and overzealous
reformers, as cranks, to use modern
ism. such was not now the case. On the
other hand, the convocation was look ed
upon as the recognition of the moral
element in society disposed TO approach
a subject of vast and universal concern
upon the principle of enlightened con-
sideration typical of the advancement
of Christian civilization.
Rev. M. MEG. Dana,of Massachusetts
then addressed the throne of grace.
GOV. NELSON
in the the name of the state of Mime
sofa gave the congress greeting. happy
to find that body of genuine reformers
and practical men had come to the COM
monwealth to deliberate upon one of
the great problems OF the age imbued
with the proper spirit. He observed
that they did not coJue with noisy and
tiamboyant ostentation, but as thought
full and considerate men to consider a
most vital social problem-crime and
its punishment. In early periods
the methods of treating crimes
and criminals were cruel, barbaric.
pickpockets and petty yagabonds were
hung or tortured, but crime was not
diminished thereby. Morality, order
and law were but inculcated. for the
reason tina. barbarism is the antithesis
of the welfare of society, and Incapable
of producing any material or palpable
benefit to mankind. The United States
has ever been IN advance of European
countries, England, more in advance
than any other country of the old world
in the administration of prison systems.
had taken the best ideas adopted there
from us. The governor said he was not
in boastful mood, he realized that per-
fection had not been attained, yet it
could be truthfully said that
the young state of Minnesota,
whose population was drawn from
all the peoples of the world, occupied
the front rank in the matter of prison
reform. The prison system of the state
was reformatory, the adoption of the
parole system was a personal and pub
lie advantage. With million and
half population in the state, the peni-
tentiary inmates numbered only AS
the reformatory at st. Cloud, 1856: while
the reform school at Red Wing could
hardly be deemed penal institution.
Passing from this hasty glance at the
record of his state, the governor hoped
that all good people would gladly CO.
operate with the National association
for an improved public sentiment, for
wiser laws, and the regeneration of
criminals. In that spirit and with that
understanding. the workers for the
publication of humanity were thrice
welcome to the commonwealth.
MAYOR SMITH
spoke for the city of st. Paul. He
said:
Ladies and Gentlemen OF the Ma
tional Prison Association: The gratifi-
cation experienced by the citizens of
st. Paul arising from the compliment
bestowed upon us by the selection of
this city as the place of your meeting
for the current year. adds zest to the
cordial welcome which it is now nv
pleasure to extend.
We not only bid you welcome, but
offer you the freedom of capital city
endowed with the exuberant activity of
youth and situated in landscape of the
highest natural beauty.
The philauthropic purposes which
animate your association are, by uni
versal concession, admirable. To make
punishment in fact as well as in pro.
fession remedy for crime; to apply
refornlatory methods to prisoners and
to amellorase the abuses which have