The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-01-06

Eleazer B. Homer, president OF the
Unitarian club. presided and at the con-
clusion OF the banquet opened briefly the
discussion Of the evenings topic. intro
ducing Mr. Spaulding as the first speaker
Felicltously approaching his theme.
dwelling upon the general public interest
in the treatment or crime and criminals.
the distorted public idea OF the criminal
class gained through too full n reliance
upon the columns of the press the fallacy
OF common judgment OF the public
malefactor and placing his auditors I'm
pleasant appreciation OF the humanitarian
aspect OF the movement, Mr.. Spaulding
proved most interesting speaker.
He outlined the development of the
system of reformatories In which crimi-
nails are taken in hand with the idea OF
making them OF some use 10 society. In
several states there are institutions where
men are educated, taught a trade and put
in a position where they can make liv-
ing without recourse TO lawlessness. Ten
per cent OF all men arrested in Massa-
chusetts and third OF those convicted
are now placed on probation. They are
watched and helped and kept al work
and enabled 10 live without the handicap
OF prison stigma.
Criminals, MIR -spauiding said. should be
classified. and boys should not be put in
a penal institution with older criminals.
There are some things In which Massa-
chusatts is a little behind the times. and
this ls one. When the legislature IL
asked whether II shall save boys or
dollars. It prefers dollars. The Legislature
says Il cannot afford the expense. The
fact is that the state cannot afford 10
continue the present system. The cost Of
the probation business in Massachusetts,
Is $4,000 a year. The saving on board Of
prisoners who under the old system would
be committed is over 10000. II is the
only department that pays a profit on the
cost
Massachusetts,, ne declared has demon
strated that women can be reformed. The
number OF women prisoners IL decreasing.
Though $4,000 year is spent on the
separation of women prisoners into
classes and teaching them to live use
ful lives. the citizens do not begrudge
it. as they are finding that these reformed
women come out into the world and do
not return 20 lives Of crime.
DR. White was next introduced. being
asked TO speak upon the reform in con-
sidera tion from the physicians viewpoint.
Various medical evils resulting from the
prorniscuous congregation OF women pris-
oners with regard 10 age or degree Of
moral perverson were clearly treated by
the speaker. DR.. Whites remarks were
characterized by an optimistic confidence
IN the eventual remedying Of unsatisfac-
tory conditions through education and
stimulation OF pubic interest.
Bishop McVickar spoke at considerable
length. touching specifically upon the
situation at the Howard institutions.
Visits 20 the prison. the house OF correc-
ton and the Oaklawn school were re-
counted by the speaker. the incomplete
ness Of reformatory practices employed in
the management OF the female prisoners
heing- GENERALLY alluded To-
The benefits Of graded systems in insti-
tutions for women were dwelt upon inter
estingly. cases Of reform at Bedford Re-
formatory I'm Pennsylvania being cited In
detail. In conclusion the bishop said:
'1 appeal tn you. gentlemen. and the
chairman Of our board or charities and
corrections Why should not Rhode ISL
and stand high I'm this work az any
state In the Tnion7 1s N because we can't
AFFORD IT. Is II because the heads OF our