Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-05
MRS. MAVERICK IN CITY
FORMER LIFE PRISONER TELLS
OF HER LECTURE TOUR.
Comes to Attend to Vast Litigation.
Hopes to Live in Wash
ington.

Mrs Florence Maybrick. whose release
from a living death In an English prison.
where she was serving life sentence. Is an
oft-told story. was In Washington today.
She occupied apartments at the New VII
lard Hotel and explained that she was on
her way to New York to rest up a Bit
after her strenuous lecturing tour in the
west and middle west. Her mission here
was to consult with her attorney. Mr.. Sam
uel v. Hayden. concerning her vast lftiga-
ton
While on her 1ecturing tour she was a
counter attraction on the platform with
William Jennings Bryan. Senator Tillman.
Senator La Toilette and other noted men.
In one city the statement was made that
the receipts of Mr.. Bryan from his lecture
were nearly four times as large as those of
Senator La Toilette.
Mrs. Maybrick declared with some en-
thusiasm that Washington was the pref
test and best kept city she had yet visited
in this country, but she added that Chicago
was making rapid strides in the direction
of improvements and Identification. and If
the eastern cities were not up and doing
the Windy city, would soon outstrfp them
in these matters.
Solitude and Silence.
She made some interesting comparisons
between the prison system in England as
compared with that in the United States.
"the prisons more reformatory in char
acter, while in England. as we'll as France.
Belgium, Holland and other countries of
Europe. they are punative. For eighteen
centuries the people of the old world have
believed that they could only reform pris-
oners by Furnishing their bodics-a sort of
revenge for the injury the criminals had
done. Here. while the prisoners are pun
ished for the offense they have committed
against society, yet 1t Is the policy of the
thnr fn BIO thn IYttfc hot fnr
men and women they won't do it again"
She said she had only found one prison
In the United States where solitary con-
ffnement is still inflicted. and that is the
Eastern pententiary in Philadelphia The
motto there is Solitude and SILENCE, the
most dreadful punishment that can be In
f1icted upon man or woman.
Most prisons she added, are tnsanitary,
but those in the west are more humane and
the prisoners are given more light and
fresh air. 1t is Mrs. Maybrfck's expressed
intention to create individual interest In
prison reform here, and a number of ladies
have informed her OF their deep interest in
her purpose. She has been invited to ad-
dress the Prison Reform Association at it's
annual session. also to have an interview
with Gov. De Neale Of Illinois.
Would Like to Live Here.
Mrs Maybrick looks well. and she says
she would be more cheerful were the ban
removed in England which keeps her chill
dren from her. She spoke Of the "beauti-
full way she was entertained socially"
while on her tour. and at her lectures those
present always gave her the Chautauaua
salute before she began to talk as "a
silent tribute of sympathy" This salute
Is usually given at the conclusion Of an
event, hut in her case 1t preceded her lee
ture. the audience arising and silently sa-
luting by waving their handkerchief
Many little children also came forward
and presented her with lowers.
She said she might locate here perma-
pently when her litigation had come to an
end. and turning to Mr.. Hayden. said:
Northwest Washington Is my choice Of
localities But in fact. all Washington is
one Of Gods choice garden spots
Mrs. Maybrick lectured IN Iowa, Indiana.
Wisconsin and Michigan. and may arrange
tour in the south She employs her own
experience to illustrate the feelings of
those imprisoned. and suggests many re-
forms that she declares are needed. fnclud-
ing the treatment of prisoners as human
beings. rather than as dangerous animals.
Mrs. Maybrick left for New York city
late this afternoon.