Sunday Washington globe., 1902-01-19


in the diminution Of crime and the reforma-
tion of the criminal.
In volume published while was
prisoner comprising the addresses Of Hon.H,
c. Coffin, warden of the Ohio Peuitentiary
composed the following preface as editor
of the work GO
PREFACE"
In the following pages the aim is to
nationally treat the principles Of PRISON
REFORM and the humane management of
criminals. The text proper, supplemented
by the various addresses Of Warden Il. G.
Coffin, cover this design without either ex-
hausting such fruitful field of exploita-
tion for the humanitarian and penologist,
or, indeed, advancing, in the slightest de-
gree, any claim to satisfactory solution Of
the problem itself.
Books and essays on crime and criminals
are multiplying rapidly (Which, of itself, is
hopeful sign,) in these closing days of
the nineteenth century; and their invariable
tendency, If not their letter and spirit, is to-
ward the desideratum hoped for from the
days Of John Howard to the administration
of Warden Coffin, and the school of ad-
vanced penOlogy for which he stands, and
ponent in the United States
Mr.. Coffin, like all who have preceded
him in the field of original thought and in
vestigation, and, in the advancement of
ideas antagonistic 20 preoonoeived or settled
convictions, has been doubted, disputed,
assailed and rnisrepresented by the advo-
Gates Of the old order of things Recogniz-
ing his conspicuous and effective revOlu-
tionary inroads on the semi-barbarous sys-
tenn Of intramural punishments and discip-
line, which have disgraced the Christian
civilization Of the ages, these opponents of
PROGRESSIVE PENOLOGY have concentrated
upon his utterances and his person, their
united hostility and opposition.
In the practical demonstration Of the
superiority of the system which he advo-
Gates and practices, this volume all too in
adequately records but the salient features,
for IL is obviously impossible to give the
minor details of the successive steps by
which he has persistently and fearlessly
wrought out or assembled from thought to
theory aud from theory to Jaif dcconlbh.
The warden's addresses and essays speak
for themselves, and illustrate not only the
trend of his mind, but the resolution to
carry forward the convictions he has ar
rived at, in the successful management Of
prisons and the reformation of prisoners.
The editor of this volume combining his
labOrs to the semi-mechanical arrangement
or classification Of Mr. Conin's addresses
has taken no liberties with their texts or
phraseology. Part /, alone, is from the pen
of the compiler, and Is simply condensed
description of the physical features of the
prison and the moral improvement in the
inmates under the transformative and
magic touch Of the humane and enlightened
warden Of this institution, Hon E. G.
Coffin.
w. ]. ELLIOTT.
COLUMBUS, O.. May 1899.
Itis no secret, however, that collaborated
with the warden in preparing the addresses
referred to. Indeed the warden was always
more ready and generous to give me credit
than was to claim the part assigned me-
1t is true the composition was mine aud if
occasionally injected an idea, it was always
made subordinate to Mr.. Cofins amend
ment or approval.
And the following pages, preliminary to
the addresses were submitted to him also
for his approval before | presumed to print
them.
The reader will bear in mind that | com
posed this matter while undergoing life
imprisonment, with no immediate prospect
Of my release OF pardon. Indeed I had
about reconciled myself to the inevitable,
and yet, by noting the date Of the preface, "
il will be perceived that not more than
sixty days separated me from freedom
had hope. il is true, but no certainty
that should be pardoned on the completion
Of this work, the writing Of which, by the
way, had no connection with the disposition
Of my case by the governor, Hon. Asa S.
Bushnell, nor was he aware such book
was in course of preparation.
So much by way Of proper explanation
and now for the work itself which thus
began;
Ever since Joseph's distant day. men
have passed through prison 30 honor, but
they have been few compared to the vast
number who have been thrust forth from
the gate into deeper and ever-deepening in
iamy. Shame and disgrace have done their
worstupon them, dishonor has been their
companion, the potler's field their ceme-
terry, the dissecting knife their biography.
As a rule, where imprisonment has saved
one man to usefulness and respect, many
have been confirmed in their evil ways by
prison associations, and society has enjoyed
protection from their personal and immedi
ate depTedations only while they we're under
intamural restraint, though not even then
protected from their influence, since they
have been enabled whsle in prison to impart
nefarious knowledge to others less informed