Evening journal., 1896-11-24
CONTEMPORARY OPINION.
THE SALVATION ARMY AND ok
CONVICTS.

CONVICTS.
One of the most pitiable objects on
earth is the discharged convict who
has come out of prison with sincere
purpose to live an honest life. he
theory of criminal law is that when
an offender has served his time he has
paid in full the penalty imposed 10y So
ciety. by violating the law he in
Cured a debt, the judge and the jury
decided. under the direction of the
statutes. how many years of his life
he must devote TO the payment of that
debt Having complied with the letter
Of his sentence, the law regards the
obligation as cancelled. But there lis
an unwritten law which overrides and
sets aside this theory to such an eX-
tent that in many cases an offenders
punishment has scarcely begun when,
at the end of his term of penal servi-
tude. he goes out into the world re-
solved to earn a living by honest labor
and TO rehabilitate himself in the re-
/ spect and confidence OF his fellow
men.
No convict engaged i'm the toll i'm
posed ON prisoners, and bearing the
humiliation and degradation that are
inevitable to such "a state, can realize
so fully how hard is the way of the
/ transgressor as the discharged convict
who seeks an opportunity TO earn his
bread. He rs exceptionally fortunate If
he does not find that he bears an in
deHble brand of infamy. His case Is
happier than that of the average eX-
convict If he Is able to get employ
meut. And should ne succeed in his
search for work and cheerfully and
hopefully begin life anew, determined
TO triumph over adverse conditions by
persistence i'm well-dOing, he is liable
at any moment to be thrown from hi,
new pedestal into the depths OF des
pair. Some one of his old acquaint
ances-some one familiar with his mis-
erahle past-happens 10 reCOgniZ,
him. and his story rs told to his ef
ployer In nine cases out of ten such ;
revelation cuts him loose from th,
world of honest industry and sets hin
adrilt again to repeat his experience
I'm another locality. until finally he i
, compelled to choose between theft ans
3 starvation, and taking the former
! goes back to prison. This is the pro
cess by which many of the habitua
criminals are made.
The Salvation Army is about e
r add 10 it's many benefactions TO man
4 kind q systematized effort in behalf @
T these unf0rtunates. II is stated that
ranch of 500 acres in the SAN Ran0
= Valley, about thirty miles from SI
" Francisco, has been presented 20 IN
army by George S. Montgomery. am
n this is to be made a refuge l0r recent
p released cOnviCts. Farming is 20 b
taught or some other mode OF sell-sut
port devised for each membci Of Oh
community Not only those who an
'r ponitent and full OF good resolution
Is but on who desire TO be taken in wi
is be accepted The army hopes to u
d, claim the worst. and to assist all
such a way as VIII enable ihcm TO liy
honestly if they care t. DO So li q
Is ex-convict proves his deserts by nor
te esty and industry for months at tn
r. refuge it will be quite practicable f.
the officials in charge to inG perm,
nent employment for him whore d
can live unhaunted by tho fear Oh
Q story of his past life viii :urn up I
le blast his hopes and set him adri
10 again. We have confidence in n
ID ability Of the Salvation Army to su,
r cecd IN this great and go0l work an
d when success has been attained
- California. what is to prevent it's rep'
tiion in other states? There ought F;
I'd be no lack of means fos The prosecl