The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-09-21
US who believe in the brotherhood Of
man.
e>..AL

US who believe in the brotherhood of
man.
South Leads In Abuses.
A recent pamphlet issued after some
reasonably careful investigation of the
various prisons in the southern states
indicate that great abuses exist al
most universally. These and other evil
dences indicate that the worst abuses
are indescribably beyond anything
that the public realizes. On the other
hand, the best conditions that may
be found, doubtless far exceed what
the public even expects. No one can
visit the various prisons and reforma-
tories of the country without being
impressed with the wide difference
still existing between these institu-
tions. Strange to say these differ
ences are not alone between the diff
ferent sections of the country, but be-
tween different institutions in any
given section or, state. In the central
western states, for example. where my
special observation extends, it 1s,<com-
mon to find the very best principles Of
reformatory treatment carried out in
almost any one OF the institutions. In
each one, on the other hand, will be
found some of the abuses of the past
that have continued into tine present;
and there is apparently no uniformity
in the matter. Making all due allow
ance for the difficulties involved, there
still remains too great discrepancy
between the ideal prison system as
generally advocated and the actual
abuses that all we'll Informed people
know to exist.
Local JaiIs the Worst.
These abuses prevail particularly in
the administration of our county jails
and city prisons. There Is vast room
for Improvement in these institutions
as well as the conduct of many state
institutions, whose positions are re-
garded as political cynosures. There
is great opportunity for missionary
work in wining these men to the ideal
Of reformatory treatment. Nor should
it be forgotten that a system of re-
preston, or suppression or brutality,
will ever bring out the worst instead
Of the best in men. If, on the other
hand, all county jails may he brought
under uniform state administration,
and serve only the purpose of detain-
ing men while awaiting trial, and if all
county work houses may be- similarly
provided with abundant industry for
all inmates; and when each inmate of
a state prison or reformatory shall
have the opportunity of learning good
trade, then we shall begin to approx
innate the ideal prison system. This
ideal will also be practicable, for 1t
will be place for the esta blishment
Of health for the body and Of intellec-
tual and moral training.
Tho "Hobo" Problem.
Orlando F. Lewis, who was fore
most in the recent organization of the
National Vagrancy committee, spoke
this morning before the National
Chicago.
Emphasizing the seriousness of the
tramp question, Mr.. Lewis said that
in the five years ending in 1905, 1894
trespassers were killed and 1926 in
jured on American railways. Suggest
ing possible remedy for the situa-
! ton, Mr.. Lewis said:
| The establishment in tie United
States of voluntary farm colonies on
the German pattern, seems inadvis-
| able. The German voluntary colonies
have little reformative influence; COL
onies enter and leave largely at their
own volition, marking prominently the
advent of fall and spring. The average
stay Of the majority is but a few
| months Only about 20 per cent go to
situations: over one-half the colonists
have already been inmates of colonies
one one or more occasions. IN some
, colonies three -fourths of the colonies
are discharged prisoners. Voluntary
colonies seem to be the last resort for
the wayfayers who are unable to find
work or exist. otherwise; the colonies
serve in addition as passingout home
for many discharged prisoners. Vol
untary colonies, if established at pres
ent in the United States, would Offer
optional employment rather than nee
essary employment.
Some Treatments Of Migrants. y
III our present methods err in not
being sufficiently reIressive to the va
grant by intention, they are also not
sufficiently helpful in most instances
to the occasional vagrant, the va
grant -in-t the making, or to the honest
wayfayer seeking work. We are loatt
to punish severely for fear Of doing
injustice, but we hesitate to offer aid
for fear of being duped The magis-
trate sentences to a few days in Jail
or suspends, sentence on condition
that the ''vag' proceed within twenty.
four hours to inflict' himself on some
other community He is warned by
some town officers not to get off tn.
freight, and other town officers boost
him aboard. At harvest time som,
! western farmers pray for his coming
as sometimes they do for rain; in TIL,
| eastern stafazsSfhe FARMERS, Ixvives ~