St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-03-03
TOWARD THE CRIMINAL GLASSES
DISCUSSED AT A PARLOR CON-
FERENCE.
WARDEN W0LFER HAS IDEAS,
WHICH HE EXPRESSED in FOR
CHILE AND INTERESTING
PAPER.
INTERESTING SPEECHES.
w. IL. Lee Bishop Gilbert, Judge
Willis, W.P. Murray, supt. Fitz-
gerald and Others Heard.


gerald and Others Heard.
What can be done to lead ex-con-
Vlcts into a higher life? This. in a.
general way, was the subject that en-
gagged the attention of about 100 per-
sons who attended the meeting for
the organization of a Prison associa-
ton at the Commercial club rooms
last night. DR.. S. G. Smith presided.
and number of short speeches were
made, touching on the question from
different points of view. By far the
most thoughtful address or the occa-
sion wac made by Warden Wolfer. of
the state penitentiary. Mr.. Wolfer had
ms Ideas committed to paper, and he
ala not scatter. Following is his pa
per in full:
A man who ostracises himself from So
clety because he has broken her laws, if ar
rested Is tried, convicted and sentenced to
PRISON; Inc stamp of felon is placed upon
hili. Inc attitude of the prisoner is at war
with society. In the operation Of the laws
oI government he Is pronounced out of gear
ana OUT OF harmony with the best interests
OF society. AS rule he comes to prison
with feeling that he is victim of cir
cumStanceS; that he is misunderstood and
mas been misused. He Quiets his conscience
IL ne mas any, with the argument that there
was good excuse for the crime, or crimes
he committed. He assigns reasons for his
aeInqrencles that are at least satisfactory
to himself. He feels that society her laws
and officers, have followed him in a spirit
OF persecution, which he resists with all the
force or his perverted nature. He nourishes
a spirit OF revenge, and begins to study and
plan how he may most eEectually get even
with the world and society when he regains
his liberty. These are some of the thoughts
and impressions that accompany the average
man to prison. Not very cheering or ele-
waiting companions, am sure.
the improved condition of penal manage
ment which has taken place in some of our
prisons mas opened up way for reaching
the prisoners better nature. AS rule he
sottens under its influence, and his rebellious
nature gives way to better thoughts and
higher aspirations. One unacquainted with
the thoughts and feelings of man convicted
OF crime and sent to prison cannot ade-
quately measure the. possible good that may
lie dormant in, his nature ready to spring
forth under proper treatment to grow into
sturdy manhood The reformatory feature
that the state of Minnesota has put into prac-
tice in her penal management furnishes q
means for reaching all who are not criminals
by nature. Under its influence the prisoner
learns that the rules of government are
planned with a. view of contributing directly
to his present and future good. He learns
that the state desires to help him in over
for taking his place again as, one Of her
law-abiding citiZenss He Is surrounded with
self-ev1dent proofs that it Is the aim and
purpose of the state to better his condition,
but in the, means provided to this, end she
requires the prisoner to take an active part
himself. Every possible encouragement is
held out to stimulate him in his efforts to
raise himself i2 lthe scale Of mankind While
fort to help thes prisoner, she demands from
him in turn lively interest in his own well
fare If he does not keep keenly alive to his
own best interests he soon learns by expe-
rience that the drifting professionals him in
to more trouble. sN3TfG
The state of Minnesota has taken foremost
rank with her sister. states in providing for
her wards. This is especially true in the
laws she has enacted for the humane man
agment of her penal and reformatory sys-
TENS. She has adopted such helpful mea-
sures as would seem necessary to reclaim all
who have any desire to abandon lives of
crime. For these growing favorable condi-
lions the state board of corrections and char
tiles is entitled to much credit. To the untir-
ing zeal and great energy of DR.. S. G. Smith,
Judge Willis and Secretary Hart we are
especially indebted for the many improve
ments that have been steadily going on IN
the management of our state institutions. AS
a result of these improvements, the average
prisoner in passing through his prison ex-
perience nearing the time when he may be
released upon parole or by expiration OF ms
sentence, feels budding hopes Of a better flu
ture life rise up within him. No truer line
was ever written than that Hope springs
eternal in the human breast To keep allve
this hope cheered on by proper help and en-
enlargement, should be the aim and mission
of the prison association.
The kind of help the prisoner needs most
upon his release from prison is some employ
ment to which he can go at once that VIII
enable him to earn. an honest living sur
rounded by proper influences, that his efforts
to do right may be recognized and encour-
aged The state agent has been entrusted
With, hic while
has done much to help these unfortunates,
he is unequal to the task. The prison asso-
ciation in its local and state organizations,
can, and, l am sure, will, supply the neip
so much needed to round out and complete
the best and most helpful features OF our
penal and reformatory systems. IL matters
not how successfully the prisoner may be
handled or treated while In prison, II the
work is not taken UP and carried on after
the state is obliged to relinquish Its sur
veillance all efforts for his reformation may
come to naught. The state has made ample
provisions for the treatment OF the prisoner
while In confinement; or until he has paid
the debt provided by law. Wisely, discreetly
and humanely.f she conducts him safely
through his term and trials Of imprison-
ment When released she leads him to the
outer prison door, over the threshold OF
which he frequently steps, alone and unald-
ed, facing the great responsibility OF adjust
ing himself to the requirements OF society,"
Is it a wonder that So many have fallen back
into lives of crime?
Knowing the natural weaknesses OF these
unfortunates, as I do, 1 wonder that so many
have faithfully stood the test. Many OF them
are more weak than sinful. 1t Is their purpose
and desire to do right when they leave the
prison. They go forth with high resolves and
good intentions, ,deluding themselves with the
belief that they can stand firm and resist
temptation, but alas, they are soon surrounded
by their old-time companions and evil asso-
Citations. They soon learn to their sorrow that
they are again dfivenf to the wall in the I'M
equal contest, some of them because they are
too weak to resist the temptation to do wrong
under stimulus and many of them because
they were not treated right by our good peo-
pie. believe that the good people of our state
and thank God there are many Of them-are
full of charity and benevolence; that 1t Is the
desire and wish of their hearts to lift up the
fallen and strengthen the weak. The reason
they have not given more help to this class OF
unfortunates is not because they are lacking
in those God-like graces, benevolence and
charity, but because they have not come face
to face with the unfortunate condition often
surrounding the man just released from prison,
and consequently they do not know how badly
their assistance is needed. Through the
prison association the help Of our good people
can be secured and much substantial good
may be done. The most critical time in the
whole life of a person who has been convicted
of crime for the first time is when he leaves
the prison. The first few steps he takes gen.
orally decide his future course in life. If he
falls again, there is but one little hope for
him.
Society owes no greater debt than that of