The Lamar register., 1898-10-26
PRISON SUNDAY.
A Request That the Last sabbath IN oe-
Z. Der De Given TO Planning for the
welfare of Prisoners

The Colorado Prisoners Aid Society
appeals TO all the Ministers or the
state 10 observe the last sabbath in
October as Prison Sunday.
The society desires especially that
attention shall be called TO the conds-
tions existing in many OF the Jails OF
the state and TO wise measures Tor the
prevention Of crime. Professor = II.
Henderson. president OF the Nationai
Conference Of Charities and Correc-
ton. said at the recent meeting OF the
Prison Congress. in Indianapolis; IL
seems to me that the great reforma-
tory at EImira needs much less
thought than the common--too COIN
mon-jaiis OF the country and the
problems they represent. The jail "
the great American home of tragedies
occurring every day. and too little at
tention Is paid 10 the men who are
Charged with the care Of them and the
inmates in them. The public seems
10 think that any harti-fisted man OF
strong mind and severe disposition Is
the proper man to be given charge OF
the common jail into which are
thrown at random the scum of the
criminal world with the erring son of
tender parent. who has committed
his first small misdemeanor. The po-
night when you are sleeping should
man who dispenses justice from the
highest tribunal In the land. Instead
OF brutes. tailors should first Of all ise
human, even II severe. They should
use discretion, so that the moral
wrecks shall not contaminaie the boy
or man who has fallen for the FIRST
time and who may be easily reclaimed
The harder the material we have 10
work ON the softer should be the hand
which subdues IT.
This society thoroughly endorses the
above sentiments and further believes
that civil service rules should apply
10 all such officials, for men competent
to manage such an institution wisely
should feel their position secure.
II has been charged that society
has provided punishments for crime,
but has neglected TO prevent fhe en-
trance OF youth upon ways OF crime,
In answer Il must be said that now
as never before efforts are being made
10 care for those unfortunate boys
and girls. They are cared for In
homes public anu private, their minds
and hands are trained, but the work i
each day growing In Importance and
each day should see more and more
interest taken In IL.
At the same meeting Archbishop
Spur OF West Virginia, speaking Of the
work the church could do In prison re-
form, said; The first step 10 take In
reforming i- TO reform Christian soci.
ETY., which will help the prison reform
movement more than anything else
possibly could. The church Is not do
ing Its duty because man Is supremely
selfish. Many young man In the
West who came there pure and up-
right has been ruined because his rel
stives and parents In many cases neg
lecied to write. and allowed him that
first opportunity to feel homcsick and
then gradually sink down step by step
To degradation. Churches should not
be closed six days in the week and
open one. They should be run on fun
time, seven days In the week. all the
time
The Prisoners Aid Society was or
ganized In January OF the present
year at the earnest recommendation
OF the State Conference Of Charities
aud Correction. Governor AlYa Ad-
ans was its first contributor. and
among its members are many men and
women prominent In the charity work
of the state. In the ministry and on
bench and bar. Its work has been
dCne quietly but most efficiently. and
the men In need OF work or friendly
hand have learned TO come TO its ON.
GERS with confidence. Rev. David Ut
ter. president: Lucy /. Harrington,
secretary