The Washington times., 1895-05-06
PREACHING TO CONVICTS
After Six Months Interval Y.M.C.A.
Workers are Again at the Jail.
General Secretary Pugh Says Good
and Mr. Leonard is Restored.

The antf-religious service quarantine
at the United States District jail has been
raised, and for the first time in six months
spiritual exercises for the benefit of the
prisoners was held in the prison corridors
yesterday afternoon under the auspices OF
the Young Mems Christian Association.
The Jail committee not having accepted
Warden Leonard's proposition that the
christian workers address the prisoners
in the corridor rather than in the rotunda,
the services were conducted bv General
Secretary James E. Pugh. There were
present besides the leader, Messrs. j. w.
Sims. j. Arthur Rose. Otis d. SWEET, Dr.
E. H Grant, and W. H. Wormersley the
latter a member of the Jail committee
Warden Leonard was also in attendance
and at the conclusion of the services told
Mr. Pugh he was much pleased with the
meeting, and invited the general secretary
tocome down again next Sunday
The exercises yesterday began at 2:30
and continued an hour. By order of the
warden seats had been arranged in the cor
ridor aud nearly all the prisoners took ad-
vantage of the opportunity TO hear some
practical gospel truths explained. Singing
by the workers aud prayer 10y Mr.. Sims We're
followed by effective vocal solos by Messrs.
Rose and Sims and then DR. Grant told the
Ia " breakers how they might be redeemed
from their sins bi Mr. Pugh folio wed with a
brief address, based upon the topic of yes
terday'S Westminster Sunday school lessons.
There was more singing, the services con-
cluded with prayer, and the prisoners re-
turned To their cells, many OF them ap-
pareutly pleased that after so long an in
terval the earnest words and soul-stirring z
songs of the gospel workers will be heard
regularly in tile Jail. The services next S. un-
day will be conducted by the Jail committee
of the Y NJ lCi A, of which Mr. George
Wheeler is chairman.
In speaking OF the alleged ill-feeliug
between the warden and the jail committee,
General Secretary Pugh said yesterday af-
ternoon he believed some Of the statements
had been slightly exaggerated.
AT no time since he has been warden, :"
said Mr. Pugh, has Mr.. Leonard been
opposed to the holding of religious services
for the benefit of the prisoners, except
during the recent smallpox scare. Then
he objected as matter OF precaution,
assuring the committee and the officers
of the Y. NJ C. A that as soon as the
yellow flag was removed from the jail
the services could be resumed.
1.-THE flag was taken down about two
months ago. when We were told the
ihcV'iheS hii-hN DS iiSiN, van VIC PlONi'O
that the prisoners should be seated in the
corridor and not in the rotunda as for
merly. The explanation for this action was
that it was precaution against revolt.
1.-The Jail committee would not agree
to this arrangement, and the meetings
were still postponed.
about ten days ago, however, before
the recent publication in The Times on
the subject, Warden Leonard asked the
president of the association, Mr. L. G. Will
hanson, if arrangements could not be
made for the continuation of services.
The committee still withheld its acqui-
escence in the warden's plans, but the
officers of the association conferred, with
this afternoons meeting as the result.
"The committee has now agreed 10 the
new arrangements, and / anticipate
pleasant relations in the future and no dis
continuance of gospel services.