The Washington times., 1906-01-28

While all the world holds maj nor
to let the right hand know what the ieIl
hand doeth" is in itself virtue. II Is
nevertheless unwise to let the good thal
is being done in d community Always
remain untaIked of and UNEMPLOYED.
Those who are laboring 10 assist theF
fellowmen have their reward In the sat
isfaction that they are beDefiting man
kind. Their virtue is in itself their re
ward. They do not need the plaudlts
OF A people 10 induce them 10 continue
in their labor of love.
But for the sake OF the more seiiish'
or, let US say, thoughtless, members OF
society. il is well TO tell Of what =
being down to alleviate suffering, Tor by
such means those of charitable impulse
NAV be awakened 10 a sense OF their
own mission TO help. and their oohga-
lions in this respect. Thus. viii The
works OF charity be carried sQfis ana the
army OF workers augmented.
one of the greatest charitable move
nnents that has ever been organized in
washington is the Prisoners Aid De
partment Of the Diocese Of Washing
ton" originally begun by the Episcopal
Church, but always having worked upon
non-sectarian lines. This society was
organized for the purpose - aiding I'M
fortunate prisoners.
Chance for the Erring.
in all cities there are daily brought
before the criminal courts men, women.
and youths who are not at heart crlh-
inals. persons who have either been Vr-
fortunate in oyerstepping The bounds OF
the law from ignorance or have be N
forced 10 commit illegal acts from
necessity or extenuating circumstances.
These individuals when summoned be-
fore the bar of justice, are standing
at the parting of the ways. If they are
convicted and sent to prison. or TO the
reformatoTies. their pride IS humoleo'
and they no longer take an interest III
the ways OF honorable men and women
They feel themselves ostraclZed from
the society. of their former EQUALS
They do not feel that they could again
face the world with a feeling Of courage
and of confidence in themselves.
What is the result? From a single
lapse or sidestep from the straight pain
of legal and moral rectitude they turn
eventually into the by-ways OF sin ana
degradation. They soon become men
ace to society, and a curse 10 'theiii-
selves. They drag others down Win
them in their fall, and II is not long be-
and dangerous foes of law and order
-rhts has been the history of more
than one man who is today resting be
hind the prison bars as hardened
criminal. or roaming over the country,
arfllgittve from Justice with his mana
turned against all mankind
Such men, women, and boys, II re-
deemed from their first fall may DE
made 10 appreciate their error ana
thereafter lead lives OF integrity and
sobriety, useful to the state, and
Measure to themselves as Wen as
others. Ii is such individuals that the
Prisoners Aid endeavors TO befriend,
and their work in this direction, has
grown until today it may well rank
as one of the charitable organizations
of Washington which can show results
out of all proportion 10 the amount OF
money expended.
Record of HelpfulneSS.
This organization has been IN exist
ence only four years and half. During
that brief period more than 5000 per-
sons have been assisted, Of whom lit
tie more than 5000 were white, and
nearly 5000 colored. The assistance
rendered is not of an indiscTiminate
nature. There is a regular agent for
the society. who visits the prisoners
and who investigates the causes that
have led to the imprisonment or indict-
meut of each one. II these causes indl-
cate the man or woman was instigated
by no Inherently wicked motives, hut
that crime or misdemeanor was the re-
suit of angry passions. or other eX-
tenuating circumstances, then the case
IS taken up by the sOciety's lawyer,
who defends the cases OF those who
are unable TO pay for legal advice.
II the prisoner is convicted, and
fine is imposed, the Prisoners Aid
comes to his relief, pays the fine. and
gives him suitable raiment purchases
a ticket back 10 his people, so that he
may be In the hands OF friends. This is
the scheme of the woris When the
prisoner is released ne is asked TO give
his word that he viii refund the money
expended in his behalf. as soon as he is
I'm a position to do so. 1t is really. re-
msrkable. as shown by. the financial
statement OF the society. how much of
the money is refunded by these persons
who would otherwise have b. ICON
demned to the ignominy of prison
stripes. or would have had the york.
house shadow resting forever over their
.Faassrs lives. The innate honesty dAsr-
played by the majority OF these persoSs