The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-07-27
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Among the most earnest % modern
drearners OF whom we have read we
may safely plaoA Canon. Robesh H. X.
Ball rector Of church up In Iowa.
and vet there Is something In his idea
that will draw to him the best wishes
Of all good people, everywhere. His
proposition. in brief. Is to have the
courts parole to him all the prisoners
convicted for first-time ofsenses; and
let him protect them from convict's
stripes and make men Of them. HIS
idea IL to have something for grown
criminals in the nature Of the houses
OF detention and schools now provided
In many places for youthful crirni-
nails. Speaking Of this proposition The
Oklahoma state Capital saws.
1t Is a home Of just this sort for old
er criminals that the Iowa clergyman
wishes to establish: He asks nothing
tunitv to take these young men and
mold them, away from criminal $3.50
Citations and Influences. He believes
environment is as deadly to the youth
as it shohid. his experiment win be
watched with interest
While II NAV be true that many will
look on Canon Bell as dreamer OF
dreams all must admit his goodness OF
heart. his broad charity and his desire
to save and help the unfcrtunatss Of
his race. Just what degree OF success
may attend hip EFFORTS. II his request
shall be compiled with. would be din
cult to san but It is worth trying. at
all events. All who have Ret out to
do good to their fellow-men In new
way have encountered difficulties ana
acknowledgements. Many have gone
down under them. but others have per-
served and accomplished much of good
for humanity.
have the encouragement and co-opera-
ton Of the courts good results would
follow Reformation and temporal sal
walton must not be confined and lin
tied to the children and youths Of tho
country. Many man has committed
his first crime who is not criminal
by nature or intention. He Is convict
ed. forced to put on ths stripes OF the
convict and to associate with the
most hardened members OF the Grim
inal classes Sometimes s,iet Il man
will come out cured and without hav-
ing been contaminated by hts associ-
atoms and environments and ever ar
ter remain worthy member OF SORT
ETY., chastened by experience and
warned by the past.
While this is true of some cases II
is also true that the reverse is the case
In many instances. The man NAV have
always been Of good character and right
Intentions. Ha NAV have committed
his first offense without premedita-
ton and with no criminal instincts.
Such a man might be saved through
some such method az that proposed by
oCiis Oub tHO ~ sAS~
allowed him. When he finds himself
treated ana regarded as criminal his
better nature yields to the pressure
and he becomes crirninally inclined for
life. and ready to take advantage Of
every opportunity to do wrong.
No one can truthfully denv the
soundness Of both these premises. No
one possessing even a moderate ac-
auaintance with conditions in our land
can deny that many criminals might
be saved from themselves II opportuni-
ty could be afforded them. They couid
be made to feel that they are stili
men. and that there is still a place for
them among men. One of the highest
duties of humanity is to succor the
weak and raise the fallen. One of the
noblest of all duties is help those who
need help and put their feet in the
right road. If Canon Bell can do this
In Iowa he will accomplish a great
work for humanity. That he may sue
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