Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-22
KINDLY PRISON CONNECTS
Striking Evidences Of Their Regard for Each
Other.
Plenty of Instances to show They Are
Not Lost to All Moral
Sense.
From the Baltimore sun.


had completed his term at the Maryland
penitcntiary by his fellow prisoners has
called attention TO number of such acts
of appreciation and friendship shown by
the prisoners for each other and also OF
a number of gifts to charity which they
have made
The first public act of charity was made
in the renitentiary March 8, 1894. when
the inmates voluntarily subscribed &3.'i 81
to assist in alleviating the widespread DIS
tress in the city, caused by the general
business depression. 1t was such an ex-
traordinary departure from all Drecon-
ceived notions of the convict character that
it caused much comment in press ana pun
pit in different cities
In june. 1896. a prisoner died. leaving his
widow in destitute circumstances. The IN
mates of the institution made up a purse
of $50 and sent il to her.
In 1897 Rev. Louis f. Iinkhan resigned
his position as chaplain of the penitentlary
For fifteen years he had been working for
the hest interests of the prisoners. ana MS
work was not only much appreciated. but
he had by his earnestneSS ana nnseillSn
devotion won q place in the affections OF
the inmates. They requested permission to
EXPRESS their appreciation and respect Tor
the chaplain. and on Easter Sunday
handsome suite of office furniture and suit
able resolutions We're presented TO Mr.
Ziukhan. -.
In December 1897. Mr.. G.. S. Griffith the
president of the Maryland Prisoners Aid
Society. was presented with a handsome
gold headed cane as token of respect. eS-
TEEN and admiration the inmates felt for
his life interest and work for the unforeu-
nate. One of the rema rkable statements
made by the prisoner making the presenta-
ton address was: More men go from the
Maryland penitentiary determined TO do
right to lead lives of strict recitude, than
go from any other prison IN this country.
st q. generously lODla uded,
In June. $685. the inmates held their first
business meeting Warden Weyler had
presided over the affairs of the institution
for ten years. and the inmates felt that 1t
called for some recognition on their part
After much urging the warden consented
1t is generally supposed that men kept
in confinement have no great arection or
admiration for the officials in charge. In
fact, the general opinion Is that the feel
ing is of contempt and hatred vet at
the meeting a resolution which spoke in
strong terms of their respect, appreciation
ana gratitude was not only unanimously
passed. but several hundred dollars
subscribed to have II engrossed and framed.
The cngrossed resolution on exhibition
for some time and won much praise for
the artists work. as well as for the in
mates 1t was probably the only action of
the kind ever taken in any penal institu-
ton. and proved the appreciation of the
inmates.
When the engrossed resolution with its
handsome frame. was finally exhibited to
the inmates they We're delighted with the
work. and requested that photographs be
made for those who wanted them. About
Gao photographs We're made. Many ware
sent To friends and relatives of the prison.
ers. while many are framed and are hang
ing on the walls of the rooms in the pris-
oners dormitory.
Warden Weyler. in speaking recently of
the good feeling existing for the officers of
the Maryland penitentiary, recalled an in
cident which occurred in March 1896 While
mi in ha
ling was struck on the head by a negro
prisoner with ramming iron and was
Knocked senseless. officer Hamilton also
on duty in the foundry while running to
his assistance, stumbled and fell and be-
fore he could regain his feet the same pris-
oner struck him down. With both officers
unconscious it was not unnatural to ex-
Tect that there might be escape or that
the prisoners would commit some outrage
Gus act upon the fallen officers. Instead Of
that they picked the assailant up and car
RED him bodily into the warden's office.
where Warden Weyler was sitting uncon-
sciOus Of any trouble or disturbance 1t
was splendid exhibition of the existing
good feeling. Again, when Assistant War
den Dieffenbach was stabbed. the very next
cay, and 1t was not known that he would
recover, 2 request was made that the in
mates be permitted TO keep fresh flowers
at his bedside--a mute protest against the
attack, q silent expression of sympathy and
respect.
In February of this year the unusual Sc
verify of the winter caused such great dis
tress among the poor that the Association
for the Improvement of the Condition of
the Poor issued an appeal for funds The
inmates Of -the penitentiary heard of the
appeal and requested permission to con-
tribute. Permission being granted, they
sent $sD TO the treasurer.
With the testimonial to the discharged
prisoner, the above is all that has been
made known to the public. But 1t by no
means represents all the gifts of charity
,,ylr h.. Of h,
occurs that man who, by good conduct
and proper spirit, has won the kindly feel
ing of his fellow prisoners needs assistance
at the time of his discharge. He may not
have been able to earn any money or NAV
have sent il home For such q man a purse
is quickly raised and he is assisted to leave
the state, sent home is given money to
pay his board until he can find employment.
The amount thus contributed is from 500
TO 500 each year.
At Christmas time-the only time the in
mates are permitted extra food-several
hundred dollars is spent by the more for
tunate ones to assist in providing some
thin- extra for those not able to provide for
themselves. Then about 5000 is annually
sent TO assist in supporting their families.
This showing IS all the more remarkable
when We consider that these men behind
the bars" receive for their labor from to
~ cents each day. The average earnings
are less than 81 each per month fer the 500
men on the pay roll. No money is earned
until the required task is performed
THE record is an extraordinary one, and
probably has no parallel in the country"
said Warden Weyler yesterday, and it
raises the question whether the character
of the convict has been properly estimated
Is society not wrong in thinking these men,
some weak, immoral. dishonest, brutal
have no traits worthy Of respect? 1t will
be generally conceded by intelligent
thoughtful people that the state has never
done what it could should to prevent
them from getting into prison. And while
habits of industry ara being formed in
pr son and the nobler traits of character
are being encouraged and developed yet
greater effort should be made to give prac-
teal assistance to the discharged prisoner
Instead Of being pointed with the finger
of sCorn and stunned with contempt or
bounded from place to place, until in de-
SPAR. he again commits crime and is re-
turned 70 prison. it would be far more
profitable and reflect more credit upon So
Ciety if ii would reach out a hand to those
struggling upward.
THE prisoner who has cleared away the
NreCkagc OF a misSpenT life. and upon the
foundation Of industry. truth and honesty
is building q character that commands self
respect, is entitled to and has the right 80
expect and demand not only that he shall
not be interfered with. but that he shall
have the chance for employment and adj
vauccment that any citizen may have"
Epuurnnc&. No Longer Vtrfua