The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-01-22
SPEECHES Pro AND CON
Only Five.White Boys in Penitentiary
in Five Years,
Mr.. BRouGHTOk URGES TIE BILL
Mr.. BIaIock 0ppos and Nessrs Derso1,
Nichols, Chamberlain ard PuI en- Favor
1t. No Action Taken. Parole
~. co..ett1
Law Suggested.

The joint committee on penal institu-
tons had under consideration yesterday
afternoon the information bill offered
by Senator Broughton. The provis-
ions of this hill have been previously
published in this paper. 1t provides
for a commission of to be named by
the building and prescribe rules for the
admission of any class they see fit OF
boys and girls between the ages OF 8
and 16 years. An appropriation of $25,-
600 is made, $12, 900 year for two years.
The meeting was largely attended,
many ladies' and gentlemen interested
in the movement being present.
Mrs. Carter spoke first and Mrs. Blair
followed, pointing out how criminals
were made by boys coming in contact
with hardened criminals. She said if
was strange that mothers should have
to plead with fathers in behalf of sons.
Col. John Nichols, representing the
Reformatory Association, spoke along
the same lines.
Senator Brown asked If a man could
not send a criminal son to the reforna-
tory and pay his expenses there. Col.
Nichols said that he believed that would
be good idea.
In closing Col. Mich OILS said, in regard
to the expense involved: 1T Woptd
be better to leave a DEBT foI posterty
to pay than criminals to support"
Mr.. A. l.. Chamberlain. of the Reform
League, urged the measure and sug-
gested that the $4,000 in bonds provided
for issuance for the penitentiary but
unusued be applied 20 this project
Capt. G. B. benson. secretary of the
Board of Public Charities, spoke at
some length, saying reform schools had
given satisfaC ton elsewhere and this
bill had been carefully prepared. He
cited pitiful examples that had come
under his personal observation. He de-
scribed his visit to reformatories and
said their central idea was to keep the
boy busy so that they will not have
time for crime. He said he thought 1T
would cost less than 500 per capita to
maintain the inmates and would really
be saving to the State He enumerat-
ed the organizations that had adopted
resolutions urging this action.
Mr. John r. Pullen was then intro
duced and aaid that four-fifths of the
young people in the penitentiary and
prisons had never haG a chance. They
have had no influence over them for
good. If these boys are reclaimed they
are a benefit to the State. Recently
I visited the hospital at the peniten-
tiary and knelt at the cot of a young
man who vas dying with bullet
through him in attempting to escape.
AS ] sang and prayed with him IN
never forget his last words: i have
given my mother so much trouble.
Perhaps that boy might have been
saved by i reformatcry."
Chairman Woodland said that he was
much interested in this subject and as
sured the ladies and gentlemen that
they would do the best in their power
for the cause at hand. Personally the
matter was very near his heart. Sen
ator Woodar1 then thanked the ladies
and gentlemen for their presence and
the latter withdrew.
The committee then had an informal
discussion of the measure.
Representative Blalock was very out
spoken in his remarks. He declared
that two little negroes in his town
were sent to a reformatory in New
York and since they came back they
were about the meane st niggers in the
place. Il think this thing is a refiec-
ton on Christianity, a reflection on
the teachers and preachers, for if they
can't save the boys how can we do ii
by law" He thought a four month S
public school term was the best refor-
matory this State could have. A refor-
motory would be educating young ne
groes who ought to be at work. He
did not know that he was opposed to
the measure, but he thought a foul
months school shoulI be provided for
before the people WEI e taxed for this.
Give the majC, ity OF the boys chance
first, perhaps that will also help the
minority.
Senator Travis, WhU is on the peniten
tiary board, then stated that he had
been asked " prepare a statement or
the children under ard including six
teen years of age. VINO had been sent
to the penitaitiary IN the past five
years and he presented it to the com
mittee as follows:
OFF CIAL RECORD.
Children under sixteen received at
the penitentla,y in tne past five years:
:
Negro gir.s. Observation-Disclosures. II
White boys. Observation-Disclosures. s
White girls. Observation-Disclosures. 0
Total both races is
Senator Brodghton then spoke on the
subject with cal. lie declared white
boys guilty t.f felories were not sent
to the penit cltiary row, pity the in
fiuence of their parents, and money iii
employing counsel kept them out. but
they went on in crime and finally land
ed there. Replying to Mr.. Blaylock