Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-21

case inflicted by the general superintendent
himself. An examination Of the figures
shows that this method OF punishment has
nearly trebled In the last five years.
The Paddler Brutalixed.
And it does not seem possible that any
human being could infiict upon others such
severe punishment so constantly and In
such amounts without being absolutely bru.
talized thereby and losing all sympathy
with human suffering
The recommendations Of the state board
Of charities included the following:
THAT If the use of corporal punishment
Is to be continued In state male reforma-
tories It shall only be administered upon
the Judgment Of a majority OF the board OF
turity to the accused to be heard in his de-
feLse and confronted with his accusers.
That said judgment shall determine the
eEaTacter OF the punishment to be admin
stored, and IL by padding, the number Of
blows shall be stalled That the punish
ment shall be administered by subordi-
rate officer Of the institution designated
for that purpose by the board Of managers
only, and who shall not be the general SUI
perintendent, and that at least two meme
bers of the board shall be present TO Wit
ness each case of punishment.
That the general superintendent and
physician be required to join liz written
quarterly reports showing in detail each
case of corporal punishment for the period
| AoiuCus 6ttiuS TIC udtS, HdfHc VI IN
mate punished, accusations brought against
him and by whom, etc.
''rhe evidence taken by special committee
shows that in the absence OF such regula-
tons the administration of corporal pun
1shment has been greatly abused and at
times Ill judged and cruel. The investiga-
tons of the special committee have clearly
proved that the general Superintendent of
tho state reformatory has been guilty OF
numerous acts of injustice, inhumanity and
cruelty to the inmates of the institution,
and that his tendency toward injustice, in.
humanity and cruelty is continually in
creastng.' .s',
Results Of Inquiry.
In explanation Of the results of the in
CURRY into the method of punishment at this
institution, The Star has received letter
from Mr.. Thomas Sturgis of New York city,
who was president of the board of man.
ayers of the reformatory at the time of Mr..
Brockway's resignation. from April 1890, to
December 81, 1901. Mr.. Sturgfs says, in
part:
I'm consequence of the public notoriety
which had been given to the methods pur.
sued In this connection by Mr.. q. r. Brock
way for several years prior to my incum-
bency as president. two public investiga-
lions had been ordered and held, one of
them under direction of the state board OF
charities and with the cooperation of the
governor-at that time Hon. r. F. Flower.
The first of these Investigations resulted in
a SCNcIc anu concentration OF
Brockway's methods. as appears from the
printed report of the committee, the ground
assigned being that the punishments were,
In many instances, cruel and barbarous.
Before this report was promulgated by the
state board of charities the governor took
action without waiting for said report, and
appointed a special commission for the purA
pose of the same investigation. The second
commission presented a majority and NIL
nority report, the majority report condon-
Ing and excusing the action Of Superintend-
ent Brockway, and the minority report
written by a judge of the supreme court
condemning such action vigorously.
Corporal Punishment Suspended.
1.-THE then existing conditions continued
under Mr.. Brockway's management and
were in operation when I became the presi-
dent of the board of managers, by request
and appointment Of Governor Roosevelt, in
the spring of 1899. at once suspended corr
poral punishment, so far as the application
of violence to the person of the prisoner was
concerned, except in so far as was neces-
sary to effect their removal from one cell to
another for purposes of isolation. Since
that time, under my successors In the presi-
dency OF the board, the system then in
augurated by me has been followed and corr
poral punishments of the kinds alluded to
have never again been resumed.
1.-THE result of this, during the two years
and half of my administration, was a
marked improvement in the conduct, and
advancement in self-control, trade educa-
ton and general progress of the inmate
population as whole. The tone of the In.
mates toward the management gradually
changed from one of antagonism to one OF
a fair degree of cooperation in the efforts
being made for them by the management.
This condition of things I am advised, has
continued in a marked degree.
Cannot Reform Through Chastisement.
cit Is my firm conviction that you cannot
yxhn ipco Tod fo,.
the violent acts resulting from unrestrained
passions by infiicting upon them physical
punishment Of the character referred to.
which they bear because 1t is inflicted by
superior physical force, but which produces
upon the mind of the prisoner revengeful
feelings only. The reform of character to
which the institution at Elmira is primarily
devoted. can only be reached in the last
analysis-by creating In the prisoner de-
sire and effort for it. Anything which leads
to such desire is wise; anything which fails
to cultivate it, or results in the opposite, is
erroneous"