The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-01-28

1
most conspicuous and widest publicit
through the press had acquainted tn
people of the purpose Of her visit t.
Shreveport which was on the rout'
mapped out by the Prison Reform As
sociation of Louisiana. with headquar
tcrs in New Orleans.
The coming of Mrs. Booth was an
ticipated with eagerness and her wei
come to Shreveport was marked will
an enthusiastic sincerity which was mos
gratifying to this world famed woman
whose life is consecrated to the i'm
provement and the betterment of tn.
men in prisons
During her stay III Shreveport Mrs
Booth was the guest of Mrs. Jomr
Shuttleworth. 6I7 Cotton street. where
she received the calls Of many citizens
The preliminaries were conhded tc
organizations Of ladies and there was
programmed several musical numbers
vocal and instrumental. which con
tributed to the enhancement Of the oc-
casiOn
The chairmanship Of the meeting was
conferred on Hon. +. c. Barret. who
was felicitous i'll his remarks, especially
in his introduction Of Mrs. Booth.
The auditorium of the City Hall was
crowded with as splendid an audience
of representative citizens as have ever
been gathered under one roof in Shreve-
port.
When Mrs. Booth faced the audience
she was greeted with tumultuous ap-
plause and patting of hands. In fitting
words she acknowledged this demon
stration From the outset she secured
the individual attention of the audience
which she held enraptured more than
two hours by the magic of her words.
As it may not be generally known j,
may be said that Mrs. Maud Ballnngton
Booth is a daughter of a member of the
English Episcopal clergy, a lady of ac
complishments (which is lady in the
most limited use of the term"
In her lecture last night she narrated
briefly the story Of her life, her coming
to New York and how with her hus-
band they had determined on severing
their connection with the Salvation
Army work to devote their lives to
prison reform She told of her work
and the organization of the Volunteer
Prison League. whose members are pris
oners. and what is expected of them.
She related how these men fulfilled the
promise of reform and declared that
only five per cent return to lives of
crime. There was not taught any form
of religion nor was convict's creed or
ever in question. Would he
reform and become a good citizen and
member of society was the only concern
but each member was required to con-
form to certain rules and to pray.
Many of the most hardened criminals
had been reformed and were good citi-
zens today through the efforts of this
prison reform. She said not only did
she deal with the prisoners themselves
but with members of their families,
branch of the work which is great re-
sponsibility. Through this medium, the
wives and children of many convicts
have been helped and comforted and it
was through this link of love for his
wife and children that many a convict
has been redeemed Whatever she had
done and was doing, was through the
power of God. If she had not faith i'm
plicit in God and His love she could
not have been successful in redeeming
criminals to salvation and to God She
declared that it was possible for the
most hardened criminal if properly in
structed and fortified with hope could
be redeemed, but while working for the
reformation Of prisoners and the inn
provement of prisons she declared that
prisons were necessary in which to con-
fine those who had broken the law, but
these must be treated humanity and
kindly and must be given a chance for
a better life after they are released from
prison. The man who has paid the pen
a1~,, Cor h;c Grim. &c ooti<1ed RI encour