The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-25
IN INTEREST OF
YOUNG CRIMINALS.
Mr.. William F. M. Rounds Visit Re-
suited in Much Good.
INSPECTED THE REFoRMAToRY.
The wcl!-Known Prison Reform Man
Made Interesting Addresses and
offered Mnny Valuable Prac-
teal Suggestions.
INSPECTED THE REFoRMAToRY.
Editor Of The Times:

Editor OF Inc IlneS'
Sir.-Mr. wm. r. M Round, OF New York,
passed the week, beginning February oti'
in Virginia, and largely IN hichhioHu,
upon the invitation and as the cues. o.
the Prison Association OF virginia. ~ -
seldom that any one has visited our city
IN advocacy Of any department OF phiian-
thToplc work who has made SO Stlo!iS
an impression. and the writer feels 1hat
It is worth while. even at this late DATE
to attempt to gather up and conserve the
influences for good which ought to 1oliow
his visit
Every one who saw or heard Mr.. Round
will agree with us that he Is a man OIL
unusual charm of appearance and man
ner. lie is essentially gentleman
Christian Of the highest enthusiasm and
the most loving and lovely spirit, and an
unusually easy, graceful and Impressive
speaker.
In addition to all this. he IS one Of the
Very first experts in his department IN
this or any other country. He IS now,
and has been for years past, correspond
ing secretary of the Prison Association
of New York, and was for years secre-
tary of the National prison Association,
and as such was the special friend and
companion Of President Hayes while he
occupied the position of president of that
body. lie is quite as well known abroad
as he is in this country: has been fire.
quent visitor to the societies and schools
of prison reform in England and upon
the continent. and almost every year de-
l1vers series of addresses there, to the
leading organizations Of that character.
In short, whatever he may have 10 say,
within the domain of what is termed
prison science" is recognized as of the
highest authority everywhere-equally at
home and abroad.
HIS WEEK AMONGST US.
As above stated, he came among us as
the guest of the Prison Association OF Viz
GINA. it is proper to state entirely with
out fee or reward, with the special pur-
pose Of advising with the Board of Direc-
tors and helping them in their work. His
first visit was to the Reformatory or In
dustrial School, at Laurel. Arriving in
Richmond the afternoon of Monday. Feb
ruary 9Th, he spent that evening and night
and part of the ensuing day at Laurel,
comforting freely with the superintendent
and matron, Mr.. and Mrs Cringan, and
the officers of the institution minglng
Freely with the boys and talking with
them. both as individuals and as body
and inspecting closely the grounds ard
buildings and every department of work
II" subsequently met the members of the
Board in Richmond, and conferred with
them at length, with regard to the school
and its needs. On Tuesday evening he
zee 10 the Woman's Club of Rich
mpnd, by special invitation. and very
few Gentlemen have appeared before the
Cllb who left as favorable an impression.
His address was not only interesting
throughout but it was scintillated with
points of rare power. and the occasion
viii not soon be forgotten by the good
ladies who We're fortunate enough to hear
him.
HIS ADDRESSES.
His meeting Tuesday night in Cente-
nary church was, owing to some defect
IN the notice, very SHINY attended. and
on this account less decidedly successful
than the other meetings addressed by
him. Wednesday he inspected our State
penitentary. and on Wednesday night
was to have addressed the members of
the Legislature in the hall of the House
OF Delegates, but the session of the Sen
ate committee that night for the dis
cusson of the Seaboard charter inter
fered with Mr.. Rounds appointment,
and it was consequently deferred until
Saturday night. Thursday he met Mr..
Sn1yth. the head of the Negro Rcforma-
tory Association, at meeting called to
effect an organization under their charter
recently granted, and made suggestions
of value to them. He next visited
Iynchburg, conferred with the special
friends of prison reform in that city
Judge Digs. Mrs. Otey. and others
and addressed a public meeting of great
interest Returning here on Saturday.
he that evening met the Governor and
members OF the General Assembly, the
principal ministers of the city, and ladies
and gentlemen interested in the subject
in the hall of the House of Delegates,
and it is safe to say that TO the persons
present it was an occasion of exceptional
interest, and TO no one of them more
SO than to Governor Tyler. After he
had finished mis- formal address, Mr.
Round announced himself as ready TO
answer any questions that might be put
TO him. many of which were propounded
and most satisfactorily answered.
On Sunday morning he addressed
large and interested audience in Cente-
nary Methodist church, in the evening
spoke to the prisoners ct the penitentiary,
and at night addressed another large and
representative gathering in Grace-Street
Presbyterian church.
SUBSTANCE OF WHAT HE SAID.
While his different addresses touched
upon different departments Of his work.
was most appropriate to the special
character of each meeting, it may be
said in general that Mr.. Rounds mes
sage to US embodied these great thoughts:
The Existence, the Alarming Growth,
and lne fcarlui SOSt 10 lle country i,Oi
Its Criminal Classes.
We have no time for fuller statement
but Mr.. Round showed from carefully
complied statistics that the criminal class
was increasing in this country much
faster than population: that the active
criminal class of this country now num-
bered not less than four or five hundred
thousand; that the annual cost to the
people OF this country OF the four-fifths
of them who are out of prison IS not
less than $500 per head: that. In the
face of this awful statement, 1t was
folly 10 speak Of the success or pcni-
Tertiary system which netted a State
s5e.eD over and above expenses. conduct
ed. however. upon basis which did not
admit OF even reasonably hopeful CT
fort at the reform of this convict class
and their return to society as law-abidin:s
and productive citizens.
He next related what he saw at our
State penitentiary, but entirely excul-
fated The State from moral response
biiity for the conditions there. and con-
graduated the Legislature and the public
upon the recent appropriation of a large
sum of money for the purpose of con-
structing II prison which would admit OF
decent and healthful accommodation OF
its inmates, with the adoption of the
do