The Savannah morning news., 1904-06-25
WILL WORK FOR
A REFORMATORY
JUDGE ADAMS IN MOVEMENT
GALATIANS REPRESENTATIVE
ASKED FOR SUPPORT.

Rev. Crawford Jackson Addressed
Small Audience On Measure to be
Urged On Present state Assembly,
After which Judge Adams Ac-
cepted Charge of Campaign in Sa-
vannah-May Confine Work to Let
tiers to Representatives.
At a rather poorly attended meeting
held at the Court House last night,
discussion of the movement for a state
reformatory was made by Rev. Craw-
ford jackson of Atlanta.
Judge Samuel Adams was appointed
as chairman of the movement in Sa-
vannah and will take such action as
he deems advisable to have the Chat
ham county delegation support the
measure
A dozen small boys who had evident
ly been attracted by the theme, formed
an interested part of the audience and
gave close attention to the remarks
of Mr.. Jackson. Two ladies were also
on hand, one of whom had with her a
petition for the reformatory, signed by
a number of people.
Prayer was offered by Rev. William
c. schaeffer, after which Mr.. Jackson
requested Judge Adams TO preside.
Mr.. jackson outlined the plans and
purposes of the movement which has
for its object the saving of boy Offend
ers from the communicating effects of
association with hardened criminals in
prisons and penitentiaries.
Saved From Criminal Career.
The story of John Gentle, boy whom
Mr.. Jackson had saved in the early
| stages of a criminal career, was re-
lated as an illustration of what might
be done. The narrative was touching
ly told and showed what kindness had
done for the boy.
We're making criminals out of the
boys who ought to have a chance" he
| said. THE people are beginning to
see the harm of the present system.
| Other states in the South are ahead of
ours. The present system is cruel and
certainly ought to be changed. There
| is chance for the boy. Let him know
that you love him. I am surprised that
there are those who think nothing can
be done with boys except to punish
| them"
The experience of Richmond county
was cited, where reformatory had
| earned over $1,000 in a single year
| Colorado had saved $4,000 by the sys-
| TEN. "But even if it were expensive"
declared Mr.. Jackson, who would put
dollars over against boys?"
| Mr.. Jackson then read the petition
which appeared in the Morning News
| yesterday, and asked that those pres
| ent sign.
Rev. William C. Schaeffer was called
on to express his opinion of the move
ment. He said he was heartily in
| sympathy with the idea, and promised
his support and aid in any way he
| could be useful.
Environment the Keynote.
Mr.. Jackson called on Judge Samuel
| Adams to lead the movement in Sa-
vannah to secure the support of the
members of the Legislature. Judge
| Adams agreed to do what he thought
| best and stated he is firmly of the
belief that the movement is a most
| important one. Heredity is not the
thing, but environment, he said. From
| the study of noted criminologists, IT
| is shown that as large a per cent. of
| boys grow to be useful men through
these reformatories as from the homes
| of the lower classes, Judge Adams
! said.
| 1t was suggested by Mr.. Jackson
that a union service be held week
| from next Sunday in the interest of
the movement. Judge Adams did not
know whether such a scheme was ad-
visable, but expressed the opinion that
| perhaps as far as he would go would
| be to ask leading men to write to
| the members of the Chatham county
delegation.
At the close of the meeting num-
Der of signatures were obtained TO
the petition to the Legislature. 1t is
| the intention of the committee in
charge Of the bill to have it up for a
| vote by July 4.