Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-04-04

and leave surplus of about S35,IjG.
surely before This cold array OF facts the
Argument of a burden to the State either
of debt or taxation dissolyes in thin air.
Measured on the low plane OF dollars aud
cents, it would he manifestly wise
economy to adopt this system promptly.
No argument or objection can be presented
aguinst the economic feature of this meas
ure that cannot be promptly and salts
facturily met.
But there are broader and nobler reasons
for the passage of This bill and the incep-
ton of this reform.
At present. young and old, men and
women, practically form one company.
Confined together they associate IN IDLE
ness and all naturally tend i'll moral tone,
to the level of the most hardened ana de-
graded of their number, who naturally
become their hero and excnplar Such
are the obvious aud ascertained results OF
prOmiscuous criminal association both IN
and outside OF prison walls. The devil
uses the idle brain and the criminally cum
ming hand as his most choice instruments
of evil
The now enforced idleness and eonfine-
meDt within prison walls, enfeebles the
body, turns the mind in upon itself to
brood over its own weakness, perhaps to
gloat over the past and plan for future
depredations on society. with the aid Of
all such confederates as prison association
may bring to his aid. Turned loose Mt the
end of tho term of imprisonment ener-
waited IN body and mind, unfit for work,
graytation back to PRISON life again is
natural to the released convict. Every
association and every habit acquired in
your jails to-day units for usefulness
hereafter. felon once. your system
tends to make and keep him felon
always.
How different on the other hand IS the
| outcome of the workhouse system. Wise
classification removes the depraved from
those who wish to reform Daily labor
occupies the mind, strengthens the body.
The hope Of speedy release from contine-
irent aud toll begets obedience to the rules
and regulations. The accumulation from
overwork induces economy and adds to the
comfort of the prisoner or those dependent
on him. Every association and habit Of
| his prison life, tends To the development
| of manhood and self-reliance and give:
promise of future usefulness. This system
| would help lift a prisoner up to plane %
| higher life. Its tendency would be to ellml
nate crime, while our present plan breeds
criminals and perpetuates and intenslne'
crime.
Every consideration of economy, human
ity.-may l fall SO low as to say stat
1
selves abreast of our sister states in prison
reform. Let the rotten system of the pas
go. Stop the extravagant and corruptin!
waste of money which now prevails ant
let our penal methods tend to proven
crime and help the offender to u bette
life. and not curse HIM with habits am
surroundings that must brand him ant
ever drag and keep him down.
1t has been suggested that our presen
| iaiIe anulH ba tIgpd xyork hOnSas Mt llttl
EXPENSE. Such were my own conviction
at first. This, however would leave III
present eXtravagant and corrupt method
of prison keep untouched and only ad
expense. This experiment was once tre,
in the jail at New Castle and signal
failed. We are satisfied from careful re
Election and examination that the defec
is in the system, and that every dollar yo
may expend IN that direction upon tn
three jails will be money wasted, and re
suit in absolute failure. Success demand
that you shall erect adequate bullding'
devise well digested and harmoniou
plan And above all. that the institution i
eeyery line of its work shall be lifted abse
lutely out of the pool of politics, and
administered only for public good.
1t would seem that you could render n
greater service to your State than to pas
this bill, and thus inaugarate reforr
that is pregnant with good, and that vii
establish and maintain a reformatory il
stitution that would be state pride, fo
less money than you are now paying
support pefnicious system.
BE assured that whatever else you ma
have cause to regret when your legislatiy
work is over and you come TO reflect upo
the work done, the passage of this bi
will not be one. You may ever dwell upo
1t with conscientious pleasure. It can onl
be for good. By no human possibilit
can evil come from ii. Those of us VIII
have taken deep interest in this subjec
will rejoice, that we had Legislature tn;
measured up to enlightened public need
and that had the courage to do just whit
the highest public interests of our Stat
demanded