The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-15

In the last issue Of the Osborne
Farmer is a criticism of the officers of
the Kansas Society for the FrfendIess,
intimating that they personally absorb
most Of the money they collect for
their work. Rev. R. A. Hoffman, who
was formerly chaplain of the peniten-
tiary, but who is now one of the dis
trict superintendents of the Society for
the Friendless. recently visited Os-
borne. and his visit called forth these
remarks from the Farmer:
Far be 1t from US to throw cold
water on any charitable institution. We
do not want to be misunderstood in
this matter. But we have taken trou-
bic to look up from the financial
statement Of the Kansas Society for the
F'r1endless a few facts. We ind that
during the year past Rev. Mr.. Hoffman
and his copartners in this goodIy graft
collected a total Of S8,446.70. They ex-
pended for their own salaries of this
amount $6,903.41- In other words, for
every dollar you gave these pious
brethren 1t y cents went for the cause
for which they claim to be labOrfng
and the rest (821z cents) went into
their pockets. We think It is time for
the people Of Osborne to give this same
Rev. Mr.. Hoffman the cold shoulder"
Editor Walkers point is not well
taken. He doubtless meant It well, but
it apparently arises from mistaken
idea Of the work OF the society.
The purpose Of the Society for the
F'riendIess is to provide honest en-
ployment for oonvicts who are re-
leased from the penitentiary and to
surround them with Influences that will
keep them from again falling into
crime In conducting this work the
services of five or six men are neces-
sary in travelling over the state looking
up positions for convicts about to be
released and In keeping in touch with
those who have already been given
employment, These men must be paid
and their salaries are the chief items Of
expense of the society. That is why
more than four-hfths of the money
collected goes for salaries That there
Is q strict accounting of the funds is
indicated by the fact that Editor Wal
ker was able to secure a financial state
ment.
The Kansas Society for the Friend
less is quietly doing a work which is
worth to the state many times what it
costs. The writer of these lines has
sometimes thought the men directing
it were too sentimental and did not
4AHEAdg q H4AAASAGAAL EAAlOulAl OF DIaCllCa4
judgment to achieve the best results.
but that is a fault easily forgiven. If
these men had not a generous portion
Of sentiment and the milk of human
kindness In their makeup they would
not be engaged in this kindly work
Probably no person is more alone in
the world than the poor, erring indi-
viduaI who is turned loose from a
prison. When the prison gates close
upon him he is, as a rule, without
money and without friends. When he
seeks employment he finds every ave-
nue. closed against him if his ante
cedents become known. What wonder
is it that he becomes embittered
against the world. and, when pressed
BY want and hunger, again commits a
theft?
This is why no convicts are paroled
until steady employment is found for
them. The Society for the Friendless
makes It a point to find this employ
ment and to surround ex-convicts with
such Influences as shall make them
law-abiding, self-respecting citizens.
Unless measures are taken to pre-
vent convicts from falling into old
habits and among old associates the
reformatory influences of a prison are
apt to come to naught, and it frequent
" costs as much to convict and punish
a criminal as it does to run the kan
sas Society for the F'riendless an entire
year.
The society doubtless saves its cost
to the state many times over, and it is
assuredly doing a good work.
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