The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-06
Making Of Character More
Important Than Mantle
nanceofSystem Speak
ers Declare-.Several
Sessions Held.

Reformatory work was discussed
throughout the morning session of the
Conference OF st. Vincent de Paul yes
terday, with series Of papers. pre-
senting in turn. probation work, the
Juvenile court, the side of the Juvenile
offender, and working boys homes and
clubs, stress always being placed
on the making of character and the
reform OF the Individual, rather than
the exact inslstence on q system. The
discussion throughout was broad
minded and liberal. applause meeting
several of the speakers who told OF CO
operation with other churches and
with the State in reform work for both
Catholic and Protestant chil.ren. Sew
Catholic and Protestant children
All One There.
Several of the speakers voiced the
sentiment we'll expressed by ex-Presi-
who. in apologizing for his appearance
OH the platfor MOI a Catholic conver-
ton, said: I'm charity we are all one"
Throughout the discussion OF reforms
atory and institutional work there was
no suggestion of PROSECUTING, or of
using these institutions to gather in
the children OF other churches. but the
idea was held tnat the Catholic child
was best off in the Catholic home un-
der the influence Of his own church
and his own people.
Comment was made on the failure
OF the public school system to in
culcate a system of morality that
would stanu the test. the records Of
the children's courts showing an in
crease of juvenile delinquency duo d.
rectly to the failure of religious in
struction such as could not be prop
erly impaired in civic or philan-
thropic institution. While the Catholic
strongly urged. it was held as most
important that the juvenile offend.
en- TO be properly reformed. be
taught religion--,hat 1t was a sin to
steal. and that the foundation Of all
character is based on religion.
Morning Session.
After morning devotional exercises,
conducted by Bishop Kelley. paper
on Probation Work." prepared by Mr..
Needham c. Collier, of st. Louis, was
read by Mr.. ]. l.. Hornsby, of st.
Louis. Mr.. Collier held in his paper
that punishment does not act with
children as a deterrent, and In the
second place. that child, although
conscious OIL right and wrong, may
not be entirely responsible for his
criminal acts. nor be hardened in
crime. nor may he ever have had a
chance to be good.
He continued: TN the Juvenile court
the success or failure OF the move Is as
the discretionary powers of the court
are wisely administered. # the Judge
and probate officer alike are unsuited
the child will be fortunate that escapes
the clutches of such a tribunal"
a paper on Prison Committees was
presented by Mr.. John j. F'itzerald, of
New York City, who held that the State
was not doing its duty by the criminal
population when it merely housed them
away from the public In a prison house
| or penitentiary. making no effort to
reform or to teach better living. The
more the State leaves undone in this
regard the greater the need for the
| st. S,ncentian kind of work. said lMr.
Fitzgerald. There is no rea son to
abandon the prisoner and make him an
outlaw. II we can succeed In tanning
the wild animal. certainly we can make
some impression upon deprayed hu-
man mind. Not all men in prisons are
criminals by any means, and not all
men going free are innocent. Further,
all convicted men are not hardened
terminals, and men OF this stamp may