The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-12

Or. BuclSner Suggests the Forming
of Il State Association.
To the Editor of The Post.
Dallas, Texas, March 9.--Desirlng to call
the attention of the public through the
columns of The Post to the Importance of
organizing for Texas an association for the
benefit of released prisoners wish to sub
init few important facts and figures.
1t is well known that men who have
served as eonYiCts are looked upon with
suspicion. and that after their release it is
ployment. They may tramp from place to
place in search OF work until tramping be-
comes habit. As idleness breeds mischief
and brings no support the temptation Is
very strong to live by dishonest means. In
this way we may account In part for the
fact that many unfortunate men are again
arrested and recommitted.
1t would be an interesting but distress
ing revelation We're the figures given TO the
public, showing the large proportion of
prisoners who are returned to the penten-
tiaries for crime after having been released
one or more times, but the figures l wish
TO give at this time are to show the large
number OF conyicts in Texas now on the
hands of the State and the number to be
released during the present year al different
periods. The figures l give have been
kindly furnished me by Mr.. l.. A. Whatey.
superintendent Of the State penitentIaries.
The entire population of the Texas peni-
tentiaries Is 1888; S07 of them are in
Huntsville and neighboring camps; gOy are
in the prison at Rusk; 112 are on the Har-
lem State farm; 59l on share farms; 1857
are on contract farms, and the railroad
forces amount to 299; OF these 80 were re-
leased during the month OF February; lib
are to go out in the present month, ITO in
April, so in May, Us in June ia in July.
~ In August, 105 in September ia in Oc-
tober, IS in November 80 in December,
making total of 1904 to be released dur
ing ten months of the present year; 2O2 of
them Will go out during the three months
ending with December.
Mr.. Whatley is of the opinion that only
very small proportion of the 1894 prison
ers TO be released in the ten months men
.ioneu nave either homes 10 go TO or airy
prospect OF employment. So many idle
man unemployed distrusted and discour-
aged VIII certainly rot be for the good Of
society, to say nothing of their own cool.
ser protection. as Well rs the good of hui
lanity, would suggest that efforts be made
10 secure employment for them under as
favorable surroundings as possible that
they may at least have the opportunity of
earning their bread by the sweat of the
brow. To say that they are bad men or
they would not have been condemned will
not satisfy the conscience of any Christian
man or other intelligent citizen AS they
nave once paid the penalty OF the law we
should not still hold them in bondage.
Mr. Wnatiey says that the great major
NY n-y OF these men TO be released are under
z, years OF age and are neither naturally
vicious nor criminal but that tbev have
gone astray through environment associa-
, lion OF dissipation, and that their habits of
ne are not settled He says they are
Timer from which good. honest. law abId
,mg ciilzens can be made" Where Is the
christian; the philanthropist, the humani.
' ~ VINO would not be willing to see
ployment7 believe that God NAV bc s,n-
riiled by sympathy for the suffering and
.racucai EFFORTS 10 help our unfortunate |
I"'ow men as well as by singing His |
PRAISES and making declarations OF our love |
or i,in. We read In the Bible that Jesus
himself VIII say at the final Judgment 70 |
nose VINO mad sympathy aud administered |
49,, p,acueai way to suffering. dependent |
,,uinani'y. inasmuch as ye did 1t unto
hem We did It unto me-" $3.50
; earnesSy desire the calling Of con- |
, ,. a. some central place In the near
y ire WIN representatives from all parts !
iNes Tor the purpose OF organizing /, |
'eieasea Prisoners Employment association |
lna 70 take into consideration whatever else |
my he advisable for the encouragement |
'na elevation Of that class. have been
IN such work, In private wav'
or many years, and my experience has onIy
IMPRESSED me the more with the import-
,nre o. such an organization, Recently + |
'sNe peeh writing on the subject in some |
" our papers and have mot with great an
'ourarement. That we NAV have some cor.
~ idea OF the extent of irterest felt Nv
' row earnestly solicit. corres,ona- |
vop 'rcm interested parties all over Texas. |
snu,1 NE to hear direct from many rs 10
n not ou .nnvention
Orphans Home. Dallas County % nseH Texas