Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1901-04-05

In a recently published opinion
George A. Shideler warden of the In
diana state penitentiary advocated
the formation of an association OF
phllanthropists, composed of represen-
Ftative business men in the various
cities of Indiana, for the purpose OF
retaining paroled and discharged
convicts by furnishing them with
situations at the critical period. just
after they have left the prison and
may be influenced to lead honest lives
IL the opportunity of work is given
them.
This interview came to the notice
Of the officials Of the Central Howard
Association Of Chicago, an organiza-
ton formed about the first of the year
for the purpose of doing the work sug-
gested by Mr.. Shideler, says the Chi
cago News. The members commune
Gated with Mr.. Shideler telling him Of
their association and inviting him to
join it. He was greatly interested
and, after visit of DR.. f. Emor,
Lyon to Indianapolis, accepted a po-
sition as member of the board of d.
rectors. DR.. Lyon has returned from
tour of organization in Indiana and
Iowa.
The association sets forth it's pur-
poses as follows:
To awaken public sentiment in be-
half of the worthy ex-prisoner.
To secure employment for ex-pris-
oners, especially acting as first
friend to men entitled to parole.
To extend the advantages of the
parole law and the indeterminate sem
tence, and the Juvenile court law.
To encourage measures for the CON-
tinued improvement of prison build
ings and discipline, particularly in
county jails and city prisons, where it
is most needed.
To facilitate the organization of 40
cal and state prisoners aid societies
and to act as bureau of cooperation
between them.
The association goes on the theory
that 'it is cheaper to keep a man out
of prison than it is to keep him in
far better to make him a producing
factor in society than a ward of the
state" John l.. TAFT, secretary of the
association, in speaking of its work,
said: THE point should be empha-
sized that in order to do anything for
ex-convicts or paroled prisoners it is
necessary for society to recognize the
fact that a man is not forever lost as
a useful member Of society because he
has been in prison once. There is NJ
doubt that the first few days after a
convict is released brings a crisis in
his life. Becoming desperate through
his inability to secure work, meeting
only cold looks from his fellow men,
and soon exhausting the paltry means
at his command, he is driven back to
crime, so that instead Of 80 per cent
OF such men being reclaimed to honest
lives, as there might be, not more than
half that number have been saved as
members of society. Although our
work is in its infancy, we have met
with flattering success thus far. Our
plan has been most heartily commend
ed by prison authorities and criminol-
ogists all over the country, and we are
getting excellent support and co-opera-
ton from all the business men whom
we have been able to approach. | be-
ieve that society. generally, is gradu-
ally awakening to the Importance OF
his work, and people are being edu-
lated up to that view of the subject
where they will be willing to give
nan who has once fallen another
nance, instead Of forcing him to ex-
end and round out his career in
rhine. We have already secured posi-
ions for number of paroled men and
x-convicts in the city and surrounding
country and have received the most
reports from the men
themselves and their employers"
The society is named after the Brit
sh Howard society. which was found
d in 1860 and bears the name of the
reat English prison reformer, John
Toward who died in 1890 There are
Their associations in this country hay.
ng similar aims. The officers of the
ssociation are as follows: President,
,phraim Banning; vice-president, S.
!. Winchell; secretary, John l.. TAFT;
uditor. w. M. R. French; counsel
frederick A. Brown; chaplain, B. F.
'oller;' superintendent, F. Emory Ly.
n; board of directors, Ephraim Ban.
ing, S. r. Winchell, w. NJ. R. French.
frederick A. Brown. B. F. Boiler,
ames S. Bullock, Judge R. S. Tuthill.
rank S. Komp. Francis A. Keller. |
gorge A. Shideler, J. L. Whitman
nd the Rev II w Thomas