The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-04-03
FOR Ex-coNvIcTs.
A Movement 10 start Them in Life
Anew.

A Movement To start Them in Life
Anew.
New Birmingham, Texas, March ga
movement has been on foot for some time,
having in view an organized effort 10 aid
discharged convcts in obtaining employ
ment. 1t is claimed by the penitent!ary
officials that large per cent of convicts
are serving a second or third term, ard
many--pcrhaps n majority-of this class,
after their first discharge. are driven to
criminal acts because OF their inability to
obtain employment and thus find thc-r
way back to the penitentiary. AS rule
these Offenders rarely commit any 81, ut
crime but some petty theft which would
give them from one to FIVE years imprison-
ment only. These Offenders have no home
10 20 to when discharged, nor have they
influential triena5 who are willing to al 4
them. The plan contemplates tho oHganiza-
ton OF u society TO secure homes and en-
ployment for them. man serving tf.ies
years or longer becomes more OF less
skilled in some line of labor. and therefore
instead of returning to crime should be a
useful citizen and contribute his quota 70
the common welfare
As briefly outlined TO I he Post eo.re-
spondent H. viii be the purpose OF the
organization 10 ascertain in advances the
oates OF discharge, the characteristics Of.
the record of department while inclr-
cerated, the degree of skill and In what
line. Of each prisoner. which viii be en-
Bodied in some form and given Out In
suitable manner to those needing laborers.
In this iaudable undertaking II would DO
neces sary 10 have the cooperation OF the
pepitentiary officials. The friends OF the
movement have been assured OF this and
that in a most cordial manner. Rev Dr.
r.. c. Bucknar Of the Bgckncr Orphan
home. Dallas. seems TO be the prime movsr
In this work. He has an active and EARNEST
co-laborer however In Rev. J. II. Thorn,
crarlain OF the East Texas renitentiary al
Rusk. who was seen today and gave cut
the following interview in regard TO the
matter He said. Il am strong believer
In a movement OF this kind and bsiievs
that Dr. Buckrer Is the man TO bring ft
to succcss. Few people are In position
TO know of the embarrassing things that
tbc discharged prisoner has to meet In the
firgt plaee his confinement in the peniten-
tiary' where all Of his food clothing. medl-
cine and everything else needfill FURNISHED
him. regardless OF HIS own efforts. for 4
term OF years naturally tend TO make him
shiftless so far as seeking employment is
His labor has been Tointed out
Ia him ever sincs he has been In pri; on
and however industriously inclined he ma
be. we must agree that he Eas last same
Of his tact for turning up job. Ag'in.
hi 4, embarrassed by strong be,isf tia
he has not an even show with thos, who
have been more fortunate than himself.
He feels that people do not want hin n
tfeir employ since he has been 10 p on
nd This is too often true. Many persars
viii shed great tears Of sy.nTatsy fcr
p,or unfortunste eoa,lct while HI " AZ
me stripes. and 50 soop as he leaves PRISON
they lose interest 10 him entirely Many
~ these fellows who are gushing ovsr
With warm sympathy for tte men In rriS