davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27
MASSACHUSETTS PRISON ASSOCIATION.

MASSACHUSETTS PRISON ASSOCIATION.
l. In Massachusetts, there are four
kinds of prisons-the State Penitentiary
for the worst offenders; the State Farm
for Migrants. trampe, "drunks." etc, two
reformatories, one for men and one for
women, and twenty two county prisons.
2. Prisoners are not classified, in any
of the institutions. OF course the send
ing of different grades of offenders to
different institutions constitutes kind
of classification. but it is unscientihc
and almost valueless. The bulk of the
prisoners are in the county prisons, of
which you will find full account in &C.
companying pamphlet on that subject.
3. Sentences to the State Prison and
to the Massachusetts Reformatory are
indeterminate. To all other institutions
they are definite. but there is power to
release, in certain cases, petty offenders
on probation.
4. The two reformatories are distinct
lively "reformatory." Grading; skilled
labor; training in the use Of the hands,
eyes. ETC., fitting prisoner to earn a
living; prison schools; good literature;
compulsory industry and study; separa-
ton of young criminals, beginning Grim.
insl careers, from hardened offenders;
ipdetermiuate sentences; definite relig
ious and moral atmosphere-these are
some of the needed ihipge. So far as
they are applied they have produced
good results. The lack of them has
made many Of oUr prisons schools OF
crime.
5. Personally l do not believe that
capital punishment is deterrent, but !
CONTINUED ON FIFTH PAGE)
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27
Prison Statistics.

REV. DIR. SHINN, in providing ma
terial for his report to the General
Convention addressed letter to the
superintendent of the State Peniten-
tiaries and Reformatories in Oregon,
Iowa, Tennessee, Minnesota and New
York, Nebraska, and Massachusetts,,
asking for information touching the
following points:
l. Are prisoners classified as to age,
degrees in criminality2 etc.
2. Is the sentence indeterminate9
3. What measures in operation that
may be regarded as reformatory2
4. Is it your opinion that Capital Pun
ishment is more effective than imprison-
ment for life for the crime of murderl
5. What country in advance in the
treatment of prisoners.
6. AS to religious beliefs of prisoners.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27
Memorial.

On both sides of the altar will be large
memorial organ, which will be the finest
of it's size in the city 1t is the gift of
Mr. and Mrs Andrew Carnegie, in men,
DRY of Mrs. Carnegie's parents. The mo-
tive power of the organ. will be electric
ity, and connected with the large organ
by electricity there will be an echoe organ,
which will be placed at the eastern end of
the church At the right of the altar in
Gauden's memorial of the late pastor, the
Rev Dr. E. H. Chaplin.
The windows of the church will be con-
structed of rich material The designs of
the two large transept windows, which
are "a feet by % feet, will symbolic the
deeds of Christ and his parallels Elabor-
ate carved stone tracery is to be used in
the construction of these memorials. In
the four nave windows will be symbolized
scenes from Christ's life-the birth, the
TRANSPORTATION, the ascension and the res
direction. The ehancel window will por-
tray Jesus and the four evangelists, and
on the large eastern window will be de-
signs of the apostles. The four small
transept windows will contain scenes
symbolizing purity, courage, temperance,
and faith, hope and charity. number
of the windows will be presented as me-
MORALS.
The room in the tower at right of the
eastern entrance will be constructed with
stone groined ceiling. This room will be
used as mortuary chapel The church
has been designed to allow several rooms
to be used by the Sunday-school and for
various social purposes. Throughout the
church is constructed of fireproof mater
ial, and is heated and lighted according to
the latest devices. 1t is essentially mas
sive and strong. 1t will seat about 600
persons The contract calls for the com
pletion of the structure by next May.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27
NEW YORK STATE REFoRMAToRY.
E. n. MORRILL,, Governor.

ELMIRA, N. Y. October 4, 1897
DEAR SIR:-Responding to yours
30th, | have directed that there be
mailed to you today reports. which
will answer most of the questions
you PROFOUND. In the report of 1896
there is grouped together a state
ment of the reformatory measures in
operation here which we consider
best adapted for reformatory results.
You will find in the same report an
estimate of reclaimed men, and a
statement of the percentage of those
discharged that got employment di-
rectly from the Reformatory. The
following states have reformatories
in one stage or another of operation
or completion: New York, Pennsyl-
vania, Massachusetts, Ohio, Illinois,
Indiana, Minnesota, New Jersey,
Wisconsin, and l believe, Texas.
could not answer your question
as to capital punishment" so as to
give correct impression of views
and feelings | have on that subject,
without giving extended explana-
ton. l will say, however, that l am
opposed to capital punishment as it
exists under the laws and practice at
present; indeed as it must be legal
lied and administered if used in our
present civilization. But there may
be circumstances when capital pun
ishment would be the best DISPOSE
ton to be made of certain offenders.
am opposed to capital punishment,
for the reason that / do not believe
in the general and permanent effect
iyeness of deterrent penalties; but
rather in the training and trials of a
remedial disciplinary treatment of
criminals for crimes.
Very respectfully yours,
z. r. BRoCKwAY,
Gent ,Supt.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27
KANSAS PENAL INSTITUTIONS.


HIAwATHA, KAN, Oct. Sth, 1897.
DEAR SIR:-Your favor of Oct. 9th
is just at hand and | will with pleas
ure answer your questions.
In Kansas we have three penal in
stitutions-the penitentiary in which
the sentence is fixed by the Judge
and release can only be obtained by
a pardon from the governor. Then
we have reformatory which / think
is for those who are sentenced for the
first time, under the age of rs. In
this the sentence is indeterminate,
the Board of Trustees having power
TO parole inmates for good behavior
at any time. Then we have a reform
school for boys under the age of 16
and the sentence is indeterminate,
the trustees having power to release.
There is also a similar school for
girls.
The law of our state in regard to
capital punishment is disgrace to
the commonwealth. The judges
sentence men to be hung after the
expiration of one year of confne-
ment in the penitentiary upon the
order of the governor. For thirty
years we have not had a governor who
would assume the responsibility, and
the consequence is there are forty or
fifty convicts in our penitentiary
under sentence of death.
l have always been opposed to
capital punishment on the theory it
does not lessen crime and that it
makes it more difficult to secure a
conviction from jury, and that the,
effect of the execution is demoralizing
and hardening to the community.
Yours,
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27
JUST RETRIBUTIoN FOB SIN.
IT appears that after all attempted

IT appears that after all attempted
correction the qualifying word 'just"
rightfully belongs to the paragraph
in the Chicago declaration touching
the creed. 1t was first printed in
these columns, as the reader may
remember in that way, "The just
Retribution for Sim" On the repre-
sentation of the General Secretary
that the word was not in the original
motion of Rev E. g. Mason, of New
jersey, the correction was duly made
in The UNIvERsALIsT. The fact was as
therein stated-the word was not on
the paper delivered to the secretary
in what was inferred to be the hand
writing of Mr.. Mason. Moreover it
was not included in the record of the
Assistant Secretary as read and ap-
proved by the convention But Mr..
Mason now claims that the ''exact
words" of his motion were "the GER
tainty of just retribution for SIM and
all will concede that there was no
question of amendment. So the
General Secretary will recede from
his position and include the qualify
ing word with necessary explana-
ton in the official minutes.
While the insertion of the word
Gust" makes the sentence more en-
phatic and is due to the mover of the
original motion, the words "retribu-
ton for sin" used in the connection
in which it appears, would of course
imply all that is included in the
correct qualifying word. No one in
our household of faith would infer
any retribution for sin which was, or
would be, unjust. But in such an
important matter it is we'll to be
definite as we'll as concise. So the
phrase will be THE just retribution
for SIM" and in that form it will go
to the convention of '99 for ratifica-
ton or rejection.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27
Answers were received as follows

OREGON STATE PENITENTIARY.
SALEM, ORE, Oct. IA, 1867
DEAR SIR:-Your letter of recent
date, making inquiry in regard to this
prison, is at hand. Ianswer the ques-
tions in the order in which they are
asked.
kst. The prisoners are not CLASH
fed in this institution. As commend
able as one think this system of
prison keeping is, it has never been
put into practice-because the con-
struction of the building will not ad-
NIT of such distribution of prisoners
End. The laws of Oregon do not
provide for an indeterminate SEN
tence.
3rd. This is penitentiary "a
penal institution-and all laws en-
acted with reference to its manage
ment recognizeit as such, not reform
atory. OF course there is some incl
dental reform; discipline is reforma-
tory in it's character, but we have
it because it is necessary in the con-
troll of prisoners. The trusty system
in this prison is reformatory too
since men are, under its operations
placed outside the walls of the pris-
on without guards or restraint of any
kind-their honor being the only
guarantee for their return. Yet it is
not done as reformatory measure,
but that the state may receive the
benefit of the labor of the convict in
the farming operation necessary in
the proper and economical admins
tration of prison affairs. So that of
measures regarded as reformatorY"
there are none, other than such as
are Incidental, as above.
4th. Personally, l am in favor of
capital punishment. But, like any
other law, it must be enforced to get
the best results. The ease with
which convicted murderers escape the
gallows might very properly be con-
sidered strong argument for the re
peal of the law, and to send such
prisoners to a penal institution for
life with no pardoning power.
5th. The prison that gives to each
inmate a separate apartment, that
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27

has a community dining room, that
is so constructed as to enable the
management to separate and classify
prisoners-having in view the crime,
age, mental and physical condition
of the prisoner-and that is operated
under the law of indeterminate sem
fences, is long way in advance of
more than half the prisons of the
country. l am not prepared to say
what country is advanced.
Yours respectfully,
A. n. GILBERT, Supt.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27
DEATH OF MRS. JULIA RLXFORD.
Pioneer of Blue Island, ILL.,, Passes Away
at Her Home in that suburb.

Mrs. Julia Rexford, widow of Norman
Rexford. died at Blue Island. Ill. on
Nov. 16. at the age of 81 years. The
funeral was held on Friday afternoon at
the Universalist church at Blue Ialand,
of which Mrs. Rextord had been a men,
Der since it's organization. attended by
Rev. A. H. Laing and DR.. Hanson. In
terment was at Mount Greenwood.
In 1885 Mr.. and Mrs. Rexford came to
Illinois FROM Chatauqua County, N.
Y, and in 1886 erected the first house in
Blue Island, then called Portland. For
sixteen years they conducted the hotel
at Blue Island known as the Blue Island
House. after which they purchased and
removed to farm in the outskirts of
the village. where they resided until his
death in 1888. Since that time Mrs.
Rextord has made her home with her
son or daughter at Blue Island.
She was the mother of nine children.
of whom only three survive her-Mrs.
H. H. Massey and N. B. Rsxford of Blue
Island, and F. D. Rextord of Centralia,
Ill.
Until her health failed Mrs. Rexford
was noted for constant and kindly help
extended to all in sickness and trouble.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27
"THE UNIVERSALISr LEADER"

NEXT week our readers will receive
the firstnumber of The UNIvERsALIsT
LEADER by which name this paper
will be hereafter known. The UNI
vERsALIsT has always been leader in
its own field; now it will formally
take the name which it has rightfully
earned by fourteen years of good
service in the cause of Universalism
and it's organized instrumentalities
and become in name as we'll as in
fact The UNIvERsALIsT LEADER
While there may be some regret
expressed at the passing of the old
and honored name we are confident
that in time our readers will concede
the wisdom of the change and extend
to their old and valued organ every
possible assistance in the new re-
sponsibilities which are to be assumed
in the consolidated paper. The
editor also Graves the continued CO.
operation of his friends and cores
pondents to make the new paper
worthy of its larger field and the new
opportunity. While The UNIVERSAL
SIT LEADER will be a national paper
in the sense that it belongs to the
entire country and will pass in re-
view eack week the movements of the
church in general, it will be large
enough to include all that is i'm
portant for record of local interest
and will aim to fairly represent all
portions of the great field in which it
seeks to be useful to the Universalist
Church. To do this satisfactorily the
editors will require the aid of the
loyal clergy and laity and their CO.
operation in the production of the
paper as we'll as in the important
matter of financial support by way
of an increased subscription list.
The UNIvERsALIsT LEADER will issue
next week in the new and popular
form. 1t will be twenty page paper,
of convenient size for handling and
preservation and well printed from
clear and beautiful type. In mechani-
cal execution and general make up"
il will be all that its friends can
reasonably expect or desire. After
time, when our readers become &C
customed to the form they will un-
doubleday prefer it to the present
"bIanket" sheet. Its contents will
speak for itself. We believe that
even the first number of the consoli-
dated paper-always issued with linn
itations-will be rated vast improve
ment over the old Leader or The UNI
vERsALIsT.
We trust all our friends will at
once rally to the support of the new
paper. 1t dt mands and will be made
worthy of an increased patronage,
especially in the West. 1t is change
which may be made momentous
one for the future of our church. 1t
comes in an opportune time when
the church is evidently entering on
new era OF unity, loyaltYand progress
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27

1t was necessary to use in this pa
per all matter already in type to make
way for the new paper next week. This
will account for the absence of our Gus
tomsry photographic items. Plenty of
them next week.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27
INFLUENCE EDUCATIONAL

The unconscious flow of influence from
one fine nature to another is not only con-
tinuous, but it is, in the deepest sense,
educational. The warm atmosphere which
lures ones sensitive fancies from their re-
treats, the fine frankness which is a better
self-criticism, the quick comprehension
which helps one to grasp his own idea in
all its implicaticns-all these are supplied
by true friendship Outlook.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27
CUBAN AUTONOMY.

No, autonomy should not be depended
upon to relieve the tension of affairs. But
possibly midway path may be found by
congress, midway between such an enor-
nous concession as our approval of auton-
omy, and a brusque and bellicose deliver
ance against Spain. May the consideration
of this complex problem in December be
wisely and moderately carried forward,
and may Providence reveal what is Just
and right. Standard.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27

The first issue Of The UNIAERsALIsT
LEADER will be mailed to hundreds of
names not at present on any of the lists
represented in the consolidation. We
hope that persons receiving the paper in
this way for the next few weeks will con-
slider the propriety of becoming regular
subscribers. $500 per year.
Our friends in the various parishes
are requested to bring the forthcoming
paper, THE UNIvERsALIsG LEADER to
the attention of those who do not now
receive THE UNIvERsALIsT. By little
work of this kind our constituency may
be largely increased and the interests Of
our church, and the Universalst faith
largely extended. Help those who
labor with US in the Gospel.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27
NEW YORK CITY.

Laying of the Cornerstone of the New
Church of the Divine Paternity, Sun
day Afternoon, Nov. 14.-Exercises on
the Occasion.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27
ROMAN CATHOLICS IN ENGLAND.

Out of over 200 marriages in England
only Al are of Roman Catholics. The pro-
portion has not changed for ten years. In
previous years it has gone as high as 81 in
LOCO, or one-half of one per cert. 1t does
not appear that Catholicism is gaining any
strength in England, although the few
Catholics make so much noise that one
would suppose there are ten times as
many journal and Messenger.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27

and when the country at large is re-
covering from the business depres-
sion of the last four years. These
have been years of great trial and
perplexity to all religious journals.
May we not reasonably hope that
The UNIvERsALIsT LEADER will dur
ing 1898 and succeeding years enter
upon and enjoy the prosperity which
has been denied to eitt er of the pa
pers now to be consolidated? 1t de-
ponds largely on our friends to make
this hope secure and to give the new
paper the increased constituency
which will be necessary to its highest
success and largest usefulness to the
Universalist Church.
''There's new foot on the floor, my
friend,
And a new face at the door, my friend,
new face at the door,
Vale The UNIvERsALIsT. Enter and
welcome TEE UNIvERsALIsT LEADER!
Now is the time to subscribe" $500
to the end of 1898. The issues for the
remainder of the year free to all new
subscribers.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27
Views of the Editors.
Exchange Notes.
FREE CHRISTIANITY IN AMERICA.

Whatever may be said, we are a dis
tinctive Christian nation. Every govern
ment necessarily has had some form of re-
ligion recognized in its State institutions.
The real question today is not democracy
in America or the prevalence of the re-
publican idea, but free Christianity in
America, and its universally in the hearts
and homes of the American people,
Christian at Work.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27
SATURDAY. NOVEMBER 27.
EDITORIAL.
PUBLISHERS ANNOUNCEMENT

ARRANGEMENTS have been made with
the publishers of The Gospel Banner
whereby they have decided to unite their
interests with The Christian Leader, and
on and after this date, the consolidated
papers will be issued under one title
Further arrangements to include The
UNIvERsALIsT, are nearly completed, and
after December it is intended to issue a
consolidated paper to be known as
1.-THE UNlVERSALIST LEADER"
This paper will be issued from Boston
and Chicago and will cover the Universal
field as no single paper has ever be-
ore attempted to do. The new paper
will be enlarged to meet the increased de-
mauds of it's constituency and no effort
will be spared in making it in mechanical
appearance, in literary excellence and in
denominational usefulness, a credit to our
Church and indispensable in every Uni
versalist home. AT the same time the
price will be reduced to.$2.OO.
The editorial staff Of The, Universalist
eader'' will be
EDITORS
GEO. H. EMERSON, D. D., Boston;
J. S. CANTwELL, d. D., Chicago.
ASSOCIATES
REV l. j. MEAD, Augusta, Me-,
J. NJ. ATWOOD, D. D., Canton, N. Y,
f. A. BIsBEE, D. D., Philadelphia.
Further announcements will be made as
plans are perfected.
Universalist Publishing Housed
Eugene r. Endicott. General Agent.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27
OLD TRUTHS AND NEW SERMONS.

The Congregationalist offers this sound
advice to ministers ''Preach old truths,
but new sermons There is certainly
plenty of room for originality and fresh
ness in presenting old doctrines in more
telling ways without seeking to introduce
novelties into creeds and doubts into doc
trinal systems A well known London
preacher claims that he never breaches
any old sermons, but admits that he does
preach some fresh ones more than once
New York Observer.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27
ASSOCIATES

Rev L j. MEAD, Augusta, Me-,
J. NJ. ATWOOD, D. D., Canton, N. Y,
f. A. BIsBEE, D. D., Philadelphia.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27
RIVAL CLAIMS IN AFRICA.

England's ambition is a continuous
longitudinal line of English territory
from Cairo to Cape Town. The ambition
of France is to extend her domain lati-
tudinally from Senegal to the Egyptian
Soudan. Both Powers have been moving,
the one southwark, the other eastward.
The colliding interests just now ale on the
Niger. France claims a southern boun-
Diary line down to the ninth parallel; Eng
land claims as her minimum right the
right bank of the Niger as far north as
the twelfth parallel, and cites treaties
with the rulers of Sokoto, Gando, Bussa,
Nikhi (Borgu), and other states. The
French have occupied territory in this
region, with the hope of extending Daho-
mey due north to Algeria. Their expe-
ditions, however, retire whenever an Eng
lish force approaches and thus hostile
collisions are averted. Meantime nego-
tiations are in progress in Paris for de-
limiting peacefully this valuable Hlnter-
and.-Zion's Herald.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27
THE LORD DEMANDS OUR BEST GIFTS.
BORN INTO THE CHURCH.

As everyone is born a member of the
state, he is by right, also, born member
of the church Every one is citizen;
but every one is also religionist-but we
have no word for this general human fell
lowship. A man may by our vocabulary,
be born a Christian, or born Buddhist,
or Mohammedan. but what shall we say
of him as a child of God, as brother of
man. This grand relation ought to be and
must be recognized. 1t is dawning on this
age that we are members of great hui
man, social, international, organism.-
The New Unity.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-27

CONTINUED ON FIFTH PAGE. }