New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-10
.SCHOOLIN DELAWARE JAIL
Night Instruction for the Prisoners
-"Home Work~ in the Cells.

IN the State OF Delaware criminal wrongdoers are
regarded as naughty children OF a larger growth
For them the whipping post Is prescribed a.
punishment when other puntshments fail Follow
ing the idea to its natural sequence. the Cuakers
OF the State have become convinced that by estao-
fishing schools IN the prisons and teaching the jail
birds Just as children taught there Is hops OF
working a reformation IN minds darkened oy tgnor-
ance. The first school has Just been opened IN the
prison at Wnmin gtou. which IS the scene OF peri
odical public whippngs OF prisoners, and which not
long ago gained a national notoriety as tne taA
from which the negro White forcIbly removed
to be burned alive IN a field where the crime for
which he was lynched had been committed
Prominent Quakers OF Wilmington who suggested
the plan for schools in the prison 10 the chief
warden. A s Meserve. found that Official more
than willing TO give his sanction Money for the
books States pens and pencils was sent TO the
prison. The prisoners were informed OF the plan.
and such as could be trusted 10 leave their cells
and gather in the room set aside for the school
room were told that they could enroll scholars
II they wished. The hours were to be from 70 s
schooI TO be opened three nights a week As tbs
prisoners would under ordinary circumstances be
locked in their cells during these hours. the chance
for relieving the monoony os Jail life by gathering
IN a cheerful eagerly accepted. and not
one OF those TO whom the privilege OF attending
schoo! was conceded failed TO respond Two teach
ers yvero engaged take charge OF the classes and
the first session was held on Monday. December Z.
II would be difficult TO find more earnest, studi
Gus collection Of scholars than those gathered IN the
schooIroom OF the Wilmington prison Many were
serving long sentences and some were In for life.
but not one required be urged TO give attention
to the subject Of study. No talking allowed.
except by the teachers. and then only IN low tones
Uniformed guards were on hand to enforce this
order but the hush os the prison seemed 10 have
bIanketed the spirits OF every prisoner. and no
looked up seemed 10 have any curiosity concern
ing the appearance OF the visitor. On side
were the coIored prisoners on the other the white.
1t would be fatal to the harmony OF the prison
were the warden to insist ths white and colorad
prisoners occupying the same seats during school
hours The teachers pass up and down thu aisle,
examining the work OF the prisoners. stopping 20
help one man who is laboriously trying 70 get the
correct total to simple IN addition. whisper
ing to another who is copying simple sentences
from First Reader looking over the shoulder OF
a third, who is bending with furrowed brow over
his first lesson in geography. and halttng by q
fourth to hear him repeat IN the prison whisper
the few lines he has been told to learn by heart
The auietness IN the room Is depressing to one
accustomed to the hum OF the normal school Nc
speeches arc made TO the prisoners. and no In
structions given aloud II the teaoher wishes to
call OF the classes to ths blackboard he speaks