The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-16
PRISON CONGRESS MEETS
PRESIDENT BRoCKwAY,. OF NEW
YORK, DELIVERS ANIMAL ADDRESS.
A welcome by the Governor and the
Mayor - The Programme
for To-day.

The annual congress of the National
Prison Association of the United States
| opened last might in Plymouth Church with
| a fair attendance. The congress will con-
tinue until next Wednesday. There are
. about 125 delegates from different parts of
the country already here and more are ex-
pected to-day. The delegates are appointed
by the Governors of States. Among them
are the wardens and superintendent of
many Of the large prisons and the members
of state boards of charities. The prison as
ISOLATION was organized in Ohio in 1870
Rutherford B. Hayes was president of the
association at the time of his DEATH
At the opening session last night John
H. Holiday pre2ided. During the evening
vocal solos were given by Mrs. Philip Goetz
and Mr.. Henry Newton The session was
opened with prayer by Rev. A. ]. Graham,
of Christ Church. Governor Mount well
coined the delegates on. behalf of the State
and Mayor Taggart spoke word of well
come for the city. In extending the hos
FATALITIES of the State to the delegates Gov
ernor Mount said
1t affords me pleasure in behalf of the
cltlzens OF Indiana, to welcome these dele
gates OF the National Prison Association
The people Of this commonwealth keenly
appreciate the able efforts put forth by this
association Tor Improvement in the manage
ment OF prisons, reformatories and jails and
the good resulting therefrom. The present
constitution of Indiana, adopted in 1851
contemplated reform in the punishment of
CRIMINALS. Section Is of Article / provides
mat The penal code shall be founded on
the principles of reformation and not VIM
olctlve Justice The Legislature of Indiana
acting in accord with this provision of orr
state Constitution, in 1897 enacted a law
transforming one of the state prisons into
q IeIormatory, and also passed a law pro-
the provisions of these laws, our penal
CODE now offers inducements to reform
rms provision is doubtless wise, provided it
sentence may be abridged through obedi-
ence to rules there is an incentive to re-
form and an opportunity offered the pris-
oner 10 regain his liberty and his restora-
tlon TO public confidence. But in the ex-
eecution of these laws something more than
cred. The history of the prisoner before
conviction should have due weight. The
Nervousness of the crime committed should
also be taken into account. Without con-
sider1ng these important factors, but acting
on prison record alone fear the most dam
gerous criminals would have the greatest
incentive to act the hypocrite in order to
shorten a sentence that their crimes would
ota 1.e wise prolong am in accord with the
new laws enacted In this State, but wish to
emphasize some of the danger lines
Criminals must be made TO feel the sting
or the outraged law. have but little SYM
pathy with the morbid sentimentality which
believes that all criminals can be reformed.
While human nature remains as it now is
and has been in the past there will be felons
to be punished and criminal laws to be en-
forced to insure peace and protection to
society One of the twelve chosen by the
constantly under the refining influence of
the Divine Teacher, was thief a traitor
and murderer. While this in no wise re-
fleets upon the divine influence, it does
teach that must not expect perfection
no, not even in the church.
Il am glad that members of this associa-
n0SSQCG1nO n will inc
to devote their time and talents to this
work: In the multitude of counsel there
in the adoption of advanced methods for
bringing about prison reform. 1 beg to as
sure our distinguished visitors that Indiana
has taken position among the foremost in
the management and control of all her
penal, retormatory and charitable institu-
tons. Competency and fitness of charac-
ter are the qualifications demanded of those
who are to assume charge of these institu-
tons and Of their many departments. Par
as a factor in their conduct. The taxpayers
of the State demand business integrity III
the management of state institutions. They
require the exercise Of spirit of economy,
but not parsimony; liberality, but not ex-
travagance - business qualifications instead
of rewards to favorites. The broadninded.
diana demands that the wards of the State
be provided for in a manner consistent with
kindness and justice. They insist upon the
punishment of lawbreakers and favor the
reclamation, as far as possible, of the fallen.
/ speak soberly and truthfully when l say
this commonwealth takes high rank among
the States on all questions of progress and
reform. All of our people are justly proud
of the spirit of progress, of charity and
benehcence that is characteristic of our
beautiful capital city, to whose hospitality
1 extend you a cordial welcome
In the course of his brief talk Mayor Tag
CART said that the work of the prison asso-
citation is one in which every good citizen
is interested should be. He believed that
the people of indianapolis would adopt any
plan for the betterment of prison conditions
that would be suggested by the associa-
ton. Indianapolis people appreciate the i'm
portance of the work, and being an enlight-
ened and progressive people they are anx-
ious to take up any method that will aid
in the care of the unfortunates that inhabit
the city prisons. The mayor invited the dele
gates to visit the city institutions and par
ticularly the new police station.
Frederick H. Wines, secretary Of the
State Board of Charities, of Illinois was
chosen to respond for the association. He
said he felt it an honor. to reply to the
cordial addresses of welcome that had inst
been delivered and he felt sure the dele
gates would fare well in the city and State
lie recalled that he stood in the pulpit once
occupied by the late Oscar McCulloch and
ne sdld 1t was with a feeling of sadness
mat ne remembered this. He spoke of the
sooo deeds of the beloved man whose ineu.
ence Will be lasting on the people of Plvno-
outh Church
MIR. BROCKWAY'S ANNUAL.
chairman Holiday next introduced y
brockway, of New York, president of tbe
association, who delivered his annual adj
aress' lie said in part: THE problem of re-
FORMING criminals is not simple problem.
IL IS oiricult. New and additional rnotives
must be summoned and applied. 1t reouires
unusual faculties such as, are NOT found
IN any prison built and conducted for nun
shment alone, and it requires wise and
skillful administration 1t is the nrohla,,
OF new education, and thai for tf1e most
lntractanle class of pupils Inc reformas
Tory system CT prisons revef emily recoonizeS
the Value OF the moran motives tnaI s,,,ecI
manhlnd; 1t wleiGS them in the vvorr 90
DtsI 1T may; but the strong appeal maze aT
Iust on the prisoner Commitment TO Drison
- 70 MS seII-IiltereSt-eVenW when need he
10 ms personal comfort or discomfort The
use OF motives Is not so much 10 persuane
hlIn voluntarily TO surrender ms a.cIsrorna,4
SratlncatlonS Tor the blessing of a yIrfuolls
cnaL acter (Which is not appreciated untiI II
Is acnleved) as 1t is to inuuce him TO Drac-
ice tnat prescribed course of common ac-
tlVlty which Will create within him the
tastes ana nahlts OF reputable life. The
ann Is ms moral regeneration by the method
OF hahItuaI practically ha Ditude In pur-
SUING such an aim, the supreme appeal To
re- ~,