Evening journal., 1897-04-09
FRIDAY. APRIL 8, 1897;
A nIsINEss PROPOSITION.

baustive. comprehensive and read
ahle address by Chief Justice
lore on the subject of prison
reform. with especial reference to the
state Work-house bill now pending IN
the General Assembly. We commend IL
IN the careful consideration Of every
one and more particularly to those
members Of the General Assembly VINO
entertain doubts as to the expedlency
~ enacting that measure into a law
In II they will find food for calm
thought and deliberation, and If they
will honestly consider the several
nropositions advanced by the distin-
guished writer, they cannot fail to be
convinced that his argument is based
on the grounds OF economy and hu-
manity.
In the matter of the care of our Grim
inal classes we are behind the times by
nearly hundred years. All around us
oar sister states have improved their
penal systems, until to-day they com
pare favorably with any in the world.
But while they have been advancing
and pronting by experience, we have
been standing still, fastened to the
rock of senseless conservatism and lis
tening with willing ear to the fallacious
pleas of economy made by those ultra
conservatives, who are invariably op-
posed to any change in anything. Ihey
have constantly and consistently harp
ed upon that string until 1t is about
worn out. and the people now realize
what a false note it has been sounding
all these years. The time has come fol
a change. Two years ago the agitation
against the present disgraceful prison
system was begun in earnest, and Il
hasbeen conductedso intelligently since
that the friends of the state work-hous'
project are numbered by thousands
and are to be found in all parts OF th'
state. It's most ardent advocates ar
the judges and lawyers, who are mos
intimately acquainted with the need
of the state in this respect. Behin'
them come persons in all walks of life
who have been convinced that the sys
tenn proposed would not only result II
the saving Of thousands Of dollars L
the taxpayers, but be infinitely NOR
humane to the prisoners and creditabl
to the commonwealth.
That our present jails are inadequat
and unsafe, no one can truthfully deny
That hundreds Of lives have been ruin
ed by the lack of classification of pris
oners. no one can gainsay. That thou
sands Of dollars Of the money paid b
the taxpayers have been wasted in tn
maintenance of an antiquated and dc
fective system, is shown by facts an
figures OF our own, when compare
with facts and figures obtained froi
other states, where the modern system
of keeping criminals are in operation
Chief Justice Lore knows the Walt
of a dollar. He regards the interests
the taxpayers as he does his own pr
vate interests. Under his administr
tlon the cost of maintaining our cour
has been cut down nearly so per cen
to say nothing of the vast saving
litigants by reason OF the systemat
manner in which civil business is di
posed Of He has, in both private al
public life, demonstrated that he is
good business man. He has apple
the strictest rules of business to Il
matter of prison reform, and his wor
are entitled to the attention Of eve
man who processes to have any rega
whatever for the public interest
There is a disposition on the part
some of the members to make light
thequestion. Others declare that the &C
dition of the state finances willnotjl
tify the issuing OF the bonds reQuir
under the act Wehope that every me
Der. no matter upon what ground
objection is based, will carefully &C
slider the address Of the chief justi
He gives them figures which pro
themselves. and facts which are m
convincing in character.
Emperor William II, Of Germany
reported to be insane. Perhaps the