The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-11-15
How to Transform Criminals
Into Respected Citizens.
z. r.. Brockway Tells Kansas
Workers How 1t Is Done.
GOV. STANLEY SPEAKS.
Says He Has Little Faith in
RefOrmatOries.
Kansas Association of Charities
and Corrections in Session.

The New York state reformatory al
Elmira. N Y, is a reformatory in fact
as we'll as in name, according TO the
statements made by T. r. Brockway'
superintendent of the institution, at the
opening session of the Kansas Associa-
ton of Charities and Corrections in Rep
resentative hall last night.
The reformation of young men is
there conducted on scientific principles
and the institution is not one of punish
ment. As a result men with seemingly
little moral sense are awakened to
sense of good citizenship, are taught
profitable trade and sent forth prepared
to make their own way in the world and
help others instead of preying upon
them.
Representative hall was very cold last
night owing to the fact that there was
no way to turn ON any heat and this
did not add to the enthusiasm of the
meeting. People sat around with their
overcoats and wraps on and many were
compelled to leave before the meeting
was over.
Mr. Brockway is a pleasant, mild
hammered, bald-headed old gentleman,
and no one would suspect from his ap-
pearance that he is accustomed to deal
ing with law breakers. He IS well alone
in years, but he is quick and alert, ana
there is a merry twinkle in his eye that
wins people to him.
The institution of which he is the head
is conceded to be the most completely
organized and fully developed institu-
ton of its kind in the country. The
New York legislature has been liberal
in providing for 1T. and the result has
paid the state. The buildings and
grounds cost about one and one-half
million dollars. and the state expends
about s225;OOo year in maintaining it;
1t overlOOks a beautiful valley, and
Supt- Brockway stated that the en-
vironment is an important detail in the
location of a reformatory institution.
Great stress Is placed upon the build
ing up and development of the right
kind of nervous tissue. Every thing
else is made to help in this idea. The
first thing done is to place the right
They are sent there for indeterm-
mate term and are released only when
they are thought to be fitted to make
good citizens, so that their release de-
pendS upon their own conduct and the
progress they make in learning. A
complete system of baths is main
tanned and the inmat ties are given mass
age treatment to put them in good con-
ditiOn physically. They are given a
careful diet, which is studied scientifi-
cally, in order to build up their nervous
systems Supt- BrOckway believes that
food undoubtedly has a great influence
upon conduct.
Great stress is put upon music in the
institution There is a lecture room in
the institution which is seated with l.
zoo opera chairs-the number of inmates
ranges from 1900 to !, 1,500-and here the
inmates are gathered for music The
music of hymns is played over and
over, the meaning of the words is care
fully brought out. and then all sing.
Very few can resist its influence Mr.
Brockway says it is a powerful factor
in the reformation of criminals
There are thirty-six trades taught in the
learn one. Sometimes the process is slow
and the men wish to change about from
persistence until they have mastered the
trade they seem to be most fitted for
who have seemed to be the most hard
ened and lacking in moral sense when
take paying positions in the mechanicaI
world because of this training He told
literature awakened through the infinenca 1cs
Of music although he had determined to
trained in literary lines and for the PAST
twelve years he has held a good position
About SO per cent of the inmates re-
spond to moral motives but the other
to be. given corporal treatmentmnot tI mot nsVs as q
punishment but as stimulus to do right
ment SAID M snpernteedeDts nTs eta2ds of treat
'One is the douche. another electriritv
method Of spanking FReu Feu rsf Dlf i ilaShonsd dhn
GUS, because sudden dash of cold water
IS more so because it is not yet thorough
" understood. and the most effective as
a
is the one most in vogue. We adminisfer
1t In therly-scientific way. but not as
q punishment
The man who became journalist was
1irst spanked before he became in a
proper frame of mind for the other infiu-
ences to work him.
Gov Stanley delivered the address of
welcome at the meeting last night He
did not seem to have much hope in re-
1ormatory processes, but that was before
Sqperintendent Brockway spoke.
In the absence of J. w. Gleed. S,,nerin-
teHoent J, 3 simmons of the Hutchinson
reformatorX, responded to the governors
welcome. He differed from the governors
Ideas with reference to the good accom-
plished in attempts at reforrna tiOn h11t La
expressed the opinion that too MANY in
than the welfare of the inmates.
Presldent Blackmar gave his annual ad
association is to prevent the Increase nf
CRIMINALS as we'll as to reform those al
reaoJ IN the wrong path.
TODAY'S SESSION
The existing Jail system in Kansas
was severely attacked by the State
Association of Charities and Correc-
t1onS this morning. because it confnes
men in idleness and throws the vo,,or5
and those inexperienced in crime IN
contact with those who are hardened
criminals.
AS a result movement has been set
on foot to change the present svsteno
so that young boys and those who are
convicted of petty offenses for the first
time VIII not be sent to jail but will
oe auoWed 10 remain al home and make
tried them. o
The matter came up over the liscus-
sion OF the report of the COMMITTEES on
1alis ana lockups. presented by Edwin
Snyuer, or OSkalooSa, who, as a member
OF the state board of charities and cor
rectlons, 1nSpectS the jails of the state
The report showed that many of the
state. i
I. II. Perkins. of Lawrence lad +bai