The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-09-17
MAJOR SYLVESTER OPENS THE
NATIONAL PRISON CONVENTION
Chief Makes an Address
at the Philadelphia
Gathering,
DISCUSSES TIMELY TOPICS
Wants Politics Eliminated From Polio
ing, Justice Tempered With Mercy,
Duty Honestly Performed, and Bu-
Teau of Criminal Identification.

Duty Honestly Performed, and Bu-
Teau of Criminal Identification.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept 1.-THE an
nuai convention Of the National Prison
Association of the United States as
sembled in this city today, for the puT-
pose of opening the associations an
nual congress, Hundreds OF the mem
bers have been coming in daily. among
the latest arrivals being Major Richard
Sylvester. Major and Superintendent Of
the Metropolitan Police Department,
Washington, D. C, who is also chair
man Of the committee on police force
in cities. This committee consists of
Police Chiefs H. s. Hoagland, Lincoln,
Neb.; Matthew Kiely. St Louis, Mo;
Henry Muth. Allegheny, Pa, and Major
Richard Sylvester, OF Washington.
To the Washington chieftain was given
the honor OF opening the association
That official had prepared a special ad-
dress for the convention Major Sylves-
ter said that up to a few years ago po-
lice officials IN many cities were very
much like the man whose head was too
big for his poeket-somewhat arrogant
and domineering, with the self-consti-
tuted idea that they were the whole
thing, with a shallow regard for the
public and profound respect for politi-
cal power II is now refreshing TO OBJ
serve that in most of the leading cities
the heads Of the departments and the
rank and fle cherish as their fondest
hope that the era will come when poll
tics will be eliminated from policing,
when those charged with the protection
Of life and property may make their
calling an Independent one, be enabled
10 execute the law without fear OF ia
vor. and feel secure in their positions If
in the right.
Never Too Old to Learn.
In these times We realize more fully
than ever that we are never too old TO
learn We have been taught by expert
ence that the merry laugh and love Of
the boy on the street is worth having,
that the God bless We" of the poor and
disconsoIate is a better possession than
the traces Of their tears. and that the
respect of good citizens is preferable to
thesesteem Of the bad. He believed that
associations and organizations main
tanned for the study and uplifting OF
weak humanity, as well as for its prop
CT restraint, should have unlimited in
teTcourse with the police, with view TO
cooperation as far as practicable He
said he was confident that the time was
not far distant when the police officer
would have the sympathy and regard OF
not only the individual. but Of ali those
interested in the proper keeping and
disposition Of the dependent classes. and
Cnce had it would stimulate and ad-
vance the welfare Of the guardian of
the peace along lines which should ele-
vate the standard of general police ser
vice, which would in turn rebound to
the benefit Of society everywhere
Old Methods Playing Out.
The interchange Of ideas which is had
through the annual conventions Of the
chiefs OF police OF this and foreign eoun-
tries was doing much to eradicate old
time prejudices and practices. and to
advance the police institution in the es-
OF the public
Major Sylvester said there prevails a
on the part Of those in au-
thority TO listen and reason. The fe-
male and juvenile offender, the first Of
tense man OF woman. and the diseased /
subject we're not railroaded 10 prison as
was often the course in early days but !
they were met with kindness. and ex-
tended justice tempered with mefcy. so |
control IN our foremost municipalities. |
Major Sylvester declared that the ap-
probation which should be entertained /
for the police is not forthcoming IN /
most places. Il the citizens as a whole 1
evidenced a higher regard for the pc /
lice officer and extended 10 him that /
recognition which is often /
due him, ii would have q tendency 10 /
influence him for the better II a mem
Der Of the police force was made TO feel /
hat he held a position OF trust and not /
z private snap. and that he was not and /
should not be made the implement OF
he politician il would tend 70 his moral
5etterment, raise his standard of eff
,ieny, and firmly convince him that
while his lot was not always z happy
Jne his life was worth the living
On the other hand, so long as that |
nan rests uneasy lest in the perform
snce Of duty he interferes with the !
serenity OF those having q pull. Just so
ong would he have lost his influence for
efficiency, and the community must suf-
er the ills and neglects that follow.
Politics in Policing.
It was unfortunate for the city that
must have its force dependent upon the
Iuccess Of elections. The disposition 70
10 and the performance OF honest duty
vas thwaTted in the community where
ne force became a factor in politics.
4oss OF life and property, unsanitsrv
disorganization and bad orGe1
you'd prevail where proper enforcement
I law entails removal. REDUCTION or
ransfer for him who endeavors TO per
orm his duty in a conscientious manner
He said that in this progressive age
WIEN everything had attained bizh
tate OF perfection when scientists ana
BUSINESS men, n their ambition 10 At
ain glory and wealth. pursue q course
( rapidity never before known. changes
ad been effected which completely
Transformed the conditions which pre-
allied ten years ago. These modern de-
artures applied to every class and
very sphere of life. The social promo
ition was entirely new, and those
harged with the preservation of life