The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-12-03
PRISON ASSOCIATION,
ky-sixth Annual Conference IL
Session at Austin.
ESs BY GOVERNOR CULBERSON.
terminate Sentences Are Not of
proper Chnrnctcr--Parsi"
power Near Danger Line.

hin, Texas. December 2.--The twenty
annual conference Of the Nationa
association was called to order Z
first Presbyterian church tonight b,
|Walter Tips, chairman OF the loca
ttee selected for the reception ans
hinment Of the delegates. An apprs
opening prayer having been offered
hor Culberson delivered an address
)come ON behalf of che Stale an,
Hancock followed with q welcome 81
OF the city of Austin.
(rnor Culberson's address was as fol
President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
krding to the Federal census, with
Stal population of 2,622 $50 there
in the United States In 1890, ex-
We OF reformatories. S2,S2l convicts.
number OF conyicts now confined
hese penitentiaries can not be &C.
tely given, but estimating the to-
population within the safe limit
200, 900 and following the propor-
of 1890 the prison population OF
United States will approximate
boo. The average length OF service
lhese convicts, representing every
facter and grade OF felony, Is about
10 years, and consequently the
pn population practically changes
BY third year. These facts easily
Aonstrate the great Importance Of
association, for besides the gem
! object of the reduction OF crime
| high aim is to solve the serious
blem whether this army. capable of
bite mischief or much good, shall
periodically returned to society as
hdoned and confirmed criminals or
)rmed and useful citizens. Obvious
hn dealing with criminals the chief
bose of government should be the
lection of society. With the excep-
zion OF rare cases which justify the
kh penalty or Imprisonment for life
ety and sound policy require that
prisoners should be subjected to
and fixed terms OF impris-
lent. An indeterminate sentence,
ject to the opinion of the prison
per, whether the criminal has re-
ned, impairs the force of solemn
gments of conviction, offers preln-
IS to feigning oonvicts and clothes
keeper with the extraordinary au-
rity already advanced to the danger
in the pardoning power of the ex-
tive. A determinate and fixed SEN
&c presupposes subsequent enlarge
1t and discharge of the convict and
good Of society demands his ref0r-
ton. Though presenting much EN-
rassment and difficulty this is not
While there are many
,rriglbles and professional MALE
ors, beyond the pale OF correction,
the great majority of prisoners.
inns of impulse, Of environment, or
lliar temptation, are neither vicious
essentially criminal, but by hui
lie and enlightened treatment may
reclaimed and restored to useful
This great work, touched
i human sympathy and Christian
rity and tending toward a nobler
'ization. is the highest purpose OF
organization. Deeply appreciating
usefulness the people OF Texas are
iffed that this session is to be held
lin the borders of their State and
ffords me sincere pleasure In their
alf to extend you cordial well
se addresses were responded to by
al Roeliff Brankerhoff OF Mansfield,
president of the association, who also
red his annual address.
conference will begin It's business
n tomorrow morning, an interesting
days programme of discussion OF
It's relating to the management and
1 of the criminal classes having been
led. The association was founded by
=. G.. Wines, it's primary purpose be-
bring together for conference prison
Is OF all grades. A welcome IS, how
to all others interested In
topics and its horizon extends be-
prison walls and includes everything
ming 10 the prevention of crime.
re are about 200 delegates, including
ladies, and nearly every State in the
is represented. While 1t is the
OF the association to hold its con-
9 in different State each year, this
first time It has met in the South
and but the third time 1t has met
Of the Ohio river. A majority Of the
prison officials and the members OF
board are here TO attend
inference.
fight for the next place OF meeting
ween Ohio and Indiana, and there is
cradle talk about the matter II is
stood that Mr.. Goree. committeeman
"a will cast the vote of ToXaS Tor