The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-10-23
NOT QUITE ALL THE WORLD
AGAINST THOSE WHO VIOLATE
LAW.
MEN INTERESTED IN REFORM
DISCUSS THE SUBJECT AT A MEET
ING OF RAMSEY COUNTY PRISON
ASSOCIATION.
DIFFERENT OPINIONS CT
GIVEN
As to the Effect of Imprisonment-
The Young Should First Be
Protected.


ton held a special meeting at the
Central Presbyterian church last even
ing to reawaken interest in that
rhilanthropic orgaization The associ-
alton has for months been doing a good
offenders. Local Agent Wellington,
who has had the municipal court cases
in charge, was taken Ill yesterday and
was unable to be present
Secretary Hart recited the objects of
the association and gave number
Of instances in which invaluable aid
had been rendered.
Rev. E. p. Ingersoll addressed the as
ISOLATION upon the subject of Res
cue He believed the church had CIV
en- tone to society and had elevated
the standard of manhood and woman
hood. The church had upon it's hands
the rescue Of discharged criminals, the
hoodlums. the fierce, unframed young
men who learned vice upon the streets
OHenses which used to be looked upon
lightly are now looked upon as serious,
Which shows an awakened conscience
and higher moral tone. More atten-
ton is being paid toward the boys
and young men. Nine out of ten Of
those who go to prison are men and the
remaining tenth are women. Much
harm was done by pictures. Suggestive
pictures and books work tremendous
influence on the young mind for good
or evil. Rev Mr.. Ingersoll thought the
reformatory or probation plan of SEN
fencing offenders was very salts
factory In Belgium. out Of 100, 600
young prisoners sentenced under the
probation plan, only 8 per cent return
ed to vicious life The speaker be
l1eved the time was coming when the
great mass of people would feel an
awakened interest in the work of res
cuing the fallen.
State Agent F. A. Whittier said that
i'll spite of all religious, educational
relief and charitable associations,
crime seems to be increasing. Mr..
fencing offenders was very salts
jtrity of prisoners are discharged after
too short sentence. He believed that
20 per cent of the discharged criminals
intend to go back into the old ways
He believed in longer and more severe
sentences. In many cases society is
not responsible for criminals, but So
ciety is largely responsible for their re-
turn. A prisoner on being discharged
generally goes straight for the saloon
and house Of shame. Mr.. Whittier be-
lieved that too little attention was
given to moral reform in prisoners.
The sentimental notion of reform in
prisoners did more harm than good
Reformers should earn the confidence
and respect of those they wish to re-
form Prison influence as it exists has
a tendency to make a criminal more
desperate, cynical and noroSe.
The speaker suggested the selection
of a rescue agent whose qualifications
would be recognized by the courts and
I the prison officials.
Rev. Ambrose McNu1ty said he had
had occasion to see the work of reforma-
ton in progress and had watched it's
results. He had seen q look, a grasp
Of the hand turn child'S, a youths or
mans mind, and bring reform into
their lives. The work of reform, said
Father McNuIty, was twice blessed, as
it was joy for those who gave as well
as those who received.
Rev William r. Lord, Of Unity
church, believed that society was re-
sponsible for nine-tenths Of all crimi-
nails. He had watched with interest
the results of kindergarten work in the
college settlements of the great cities
and had found that the graduates, no
matter what his surroundings, seldom
became criminals DR.. Lord spoke a
good word for Mr.. Nv ellington, the local
agent, who, he said, was doing a large
work for the association, and was Civ
ing his entire time in looking up cases
which came under his notice. Mr..
Wellington had not received the finan-
cial support due him, and a plea was
made for more liberal contributions
Prof. C. B. Gilbert said the work was
not one of charity as much as one Of
self-defense. It was the duty of one
generation to provide for the safety of
the succeeding generation. Prof. Gill
bert did not believe a prison ever re-
formed a man. He said ST. Paul had
several plague spots which were breed
ing criminals One was on West Sew
enth street, another was in the Bo-
hemian flats and another was on North
University avenue. He had seen chill
dren coming to school drunk. He
had heard children declare it was not
crime to steal from the rich. Prof
Gilbert deplored the lack Of a salts
factory law compelling children to at
tend school.
Judge Twofy spoke from the stand
point of a member Of the judiciary,
who was brought daily in contact with
the rescue work. One of the most
serious problems the court has to de-
eide is that of caring for young Offend
ers. Judge Twohy said his ideas in
1.-The matter had been severly criticised.
Police officers who arrest juveniles, de-
rnand harsh punishment, and do not
sympathize with any exercise of
clemency Judge Twohy cited a case
which came under his eye in his court
Two young men, both of whom had
! served time, were arrested by police
officer, one of them for carrying re-
vclver The second young man was
arrested because he was found in COM
pany with the other. When questioned,
| the latter declared he had carried the
revolver In order to kill himself. Every
mans hand was against him, he said,
and all the police officers tried to find
| an excuse to arrest him. There was
no use in trying to live a good life as
people were suspicious Of everything he
| did Judge Twohy believed there were
many cases like the one mentioned,
and that it was in dealing with such
cases that the Prison association had
| large field Of usefulness.
Secretary Hart closed the meeting in
a plea for more earnest financial and
| moral support The funds provided
were not sufficient to carry on the work.
WILL MARCH FOR LINCOLN.
Old Soldiers VIII Escort the Mar
tyred Presidents Son.
A number of old soldiers met at the
court house last night and decided to