The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-07-22

OUR CRIMINAL CLASSES.
A Plea for the Convict and Those stili
Young In Vice.

i
most natural desire OF some people Il
certainly does not satisfy All the people
/ write, therefore, ~ the interest OF re-
form. as well tor tile cause Oh hu'
manlty.
/ w1sn particularly 10 call attention &c
the public institutions OF our state. A.
they are at present they reflect no credl'
10 US. The penitentiary, the largest an
stitutiOn in the State rSelVlnB uIecl dlS
from the Legislature, Is, 10 say the ledst
far from model OF It's class. Ihousa"os
OF dollars could aud should be placed al
the disposal Of the management WIN
which 10 make the heceSndl }
ana much-needed improvements. b
Is simply disgrace 10 huduI'
those unfortunates together hhS
50 many cattle, from three 10 seven, o.
more, sleeping in single cells.
That there are confined within the walls
Of that prison men OF great genius ana
Intellectual powers cannot De contradict
ed. Misfortune has Deiallen them, sndll
we not make some effort 10 reclaim ana
replace them staIn upon the cduse-way
OF life? We who are fortunate LOOK but
TOO lightly on the msfOrtuHes or others.
1t Is our privilege, and our duty as wen
to make those around us happy. Christ
came, not to call tie righteous 10 re-
pentance, but to save sinners.
As Christians. how can we, sitting IN
luxurious homes, see those unfortunate
brothers and sisters languiShinS within
suOSE klOOlIlN
cattle in a car destined To- ne slaughter
without at least some effort on our part
10 make them cOmf0rtabieY The prison
is a necessity: that we must admit; but
humane methods Tor the care OF prisoners
are chargeable 10 us. Let W. take care
of the protection we have given our
selves and society BY making the homes
of the incarceratel pleasant and com
Portable, temperiug justice with mercy.
Let the punishment for crime consist
of the most rigid CONFORMATION 10 DIS
cipline within comfortable apartments.
That prisoners should work is az much
necessity as the prison itself. Without
work the prison would become the hifn
school Of lunacy with guarantee 10
graduate all long-term prisoners.
The penitentiary and the work-house
are the two institutions that should be
nearly. II not quite. self-support and
70 deprive them Of this privilege IS q
wrong committed against the good of
society
A sTATE REFORM SCHOOL.
Following the backward trail we soon
come 10 the starting point, from whence
those of the felon's class are made up.
We find that - criminals were once
young boys, whose mother and father
had likewise passed along down the un-
even paths Of life. Like begets like and
the general inclination Of the flesh Is
20 evil. II Is useless 10 say that crime
not bear us out IN the statement.
we must educate or we must perish"
II. then. We would check the increasing
OF this prison population, we must begin
at the beginning We must establish .
reform school This school must De q
state reform school It's establishing must
be by special legislation. as we'll as laws
regulating al rs details. lis managers
must be appointed by the Governor. and
It's expenses should be met from 2 special
iuni. appropriated bv the Legislature
and held by the State Treasurer.
IL IS useless 20 argue that any private
corporation can successfully cone with
the great question Of reformation. They
cannot afford 10 meet the expenses requi-
sre Tor the successful educating and
training of juvenile delinquents This
should be a purely charitable institution.
Its children should he known and taught
As wards Of the State. They should be
committed 70 its care during minority.
Hardened criminals should NOT be admit
-ed. neither should any boy over the
age Of sixteen wears
The great object should be 10 educate.
% build up character Such q school run
n the interest of revenue IS ~ little Drac-
zeal benefit. ! am aware Of the question
" race, but that should not deter us
rom doing our duty. 7 can point YOU
vim pride 10 the success Of these schools |
n other States where the race question |
uts no figure. Pannsylvg mia. Iowa, Mn |
lesota. OHIO, Indiana. Michigan. Ten |
lessee. and oil the New England States |
ave such schools IN oneration. and n |
Ton take the pains 20 investigate you VIII |
Ind these States proud ~ the achieve |
nent they have attained. Why not we7
Respectfully, G. NJ LANNfNG.