The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-16

untenabio u our changed conditions
But the principles substantial TO theIa
were broader more humane than "a sre'L
many OF which our nineteenth century
civilization boasts.
he then said he wished 20 dwell upon
the thOup>t Of the relation or the state
to those who FOR one reason or another
were under It's direct care. His atten-
lin had been called by ana item I'm New
York paper. which stated that one OF the
cOuyiCts mad committed suicide in the
prison at Sing Sing. because he could not
stand the enforced idicness which the
LEGISLATURE had thrust upon them. lie
also touched upon AN incident which came
under his notice in the virginia penten-
t.ary 20 which he would refer later.
TREATMENT or PRISONERS.
The State. by the consent Of the gov
crcnod, cnacts certain laws. whose viola-
ton is considered 20 danger TO the state
generally and to the citizens individually.
Certain of these laws are based upon the
ground of general morality. certain ones
upon the peculiar conditions Of "a locali-
Is. Tor almost all violations. except
those resulting in particularly atrocious
murder or violent outrage, the punish
ment was imprisonment The term of
confinement in county or city iais were
too short 20 be spoken of. He referred
especially 10 penltentiaries. where the
terms last from "a year 10 n lifetime
The question TO be considered is arc these
institutions TO be regarded as punitive
only2 When AN evil-dOer Is incarcerated
for certain length Of time. is he TO De
hold there merely as wild animal IN
cage. solely that he might do no harm
whiio De is so held. or is II not rather
should n not be. the purpose OF this in-
generation not only 10 prevent the eXer-
else Of the vicious tendency but so 10
treat him that vicious tendency be less
ened, if not altogether subdued2 that
when freedom ls restored there Is given
back 10 the world a man. whose disposi-
tion toward wrong has not merely ueen
held in suspense for while Dut one
who has been so far rs possible improved
bv his confinement. so As 10 be abler 10
bear the burdens Of life and DO battle
with its dimcuties2
OF INTEREST TO SOCIETY.
Society has an interest. must have an
interest. I'm every one Of its members,
even when they are removed from IT'S
midst 10 80 behind prison bars Tor the
et,nule reason tuat these latter wiu
emerge. in the course " time. from their
segregation. and become again active
components Of b. 10 iS 70 the hs+f in-
terest Of society that every one OF It's
members Doe physically and morally
healthy. as it is best for the body that
every ono Of IT. organs and limbs De
sound. Human experience has proven that
prevention is infinitely better than cure.
In the sociological world is this especially
s0 10 is wiser for a city 20 oe clean ana
guard against disease. than 20 stay the
ravagos OF dn epidemic after IL has come.
because OF the lack Of sanitary praeau-
tions In penoiogy this truth has come
at last to be recognized as being appll-
cable. not only 10 those who have never
committed crime but as well 10 those
who have done SO, that they may do so
no more.
Therefore. 10 has been n wise Drovi-
sion ia the penal institutions OF several
States that iheir inmates have been em-
ployed I'm various useful ways, taught
trades and handicrafts. so that when
they go out in the world again they are
better prepared 10 face the problem Of
daily toll and existence.
THE EVIL RESULT.
But in reply 10 the demands Of various
labor organizations and unions. which
asked that convict labor be stopped In
every direction wherein II came into COM
petition with free labor idleness has been
practically enforced upon the vast ma
iorlty OF convicts in the peniten'laries
of those States. which acceded TO the de-
man. The results are evil. fhe item. rec
ferred to, telling OF the suicide OF one.
tells It's own tale. Wardens Of such pri-
sons where ldleness has osen enforced.
tell OF the frightful increasa Of insanity
among the inmates. and that the con-
victs are more moross. more stubborn.
| more refractory, and mora difficult TO