Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-08
TO MEET IN LONDON
Prison Congress Goes Next to
Chief City of the World.
FINAL SESSION HELD TODAY
Sir Evelyn Ruggles-Brise Is Elected
President.
MAKES SPEECH OF ACCEPTANCE
Title of President of Honor Con-
ferred Upon Retiring President.
Final Proceedings.

With the election of Sir Evelyn Rug
gles-Brise as president. and the selection
of London as the next meeting place,
the eighth International Prison Congress
came to an end this morning at the
Bureau of American Republics.
The general assembly unanimously rati-
fled the action of the international prison
commission In admitting representatives
of Spain, the Transvaal and Egypt to its
councils. The final meeting was made
auspicious by the brilliant farewell ad-
dress OF. Prof Charles r. Henderson of
Chicago, the retiring president. and the
speech of acceptance and greeting of Sir
Rugges-Brse.
Prof. Henderson was voted the honor
OF the title president of honor" by the
prison commission A similar distinction
was conferred upon Dr. Guillaume of
Switzerland. who is succeeded as general
secretary of the congress by Prof. Simon
Won der Aa of Holland. Frederick Woxen
of Norway was reelected treasurer.
The hall of the republics. in which the
session was held, was we'll filled with
delegates. the foreigners being in the ma
1ority. At the conclusion of the exercises
the visitors fingered for more than half
an hour In bidding farewell to colleagues.
New Record for Reform.
The assembly signifed it's approval
when Prof. Henderson declared in his
closing remarks that this congress had
set new record for reform in prison
science and criminal law.
The presence of japanese and Chinese
delegates at the congress is an event of
international and historic Importance"
continued DR.. Henderson. Net only have
we achieved results destined to be bene-
fetal to the world. but our deliberations
have dispelled that feeling that there is
antagonism between science and prac-
tice. The unanimity with (which the va
riOuS sections have adopted resolutions
and measures for reform Is noteworthy,
and l thank all the delegates and secre-
taries and everybody here who has
helped make this conclave success
Applause for New President.
Applause greeted Sir Ruggles-Brise
when he arose to speak. He said, in
part:
Il am deeply sensible of the honor
which has been conferred upon me- This
honor is bestowed not on me personally
but on the country which l represent.
Circumstances make 1t fitting that after
nearly fifty years this congress. which is
growing old, should revisit the scenes Of
its youth, there to draw. as hope. fresh
inspiration and encouragement for sec
ond triumphai march around the world
You ali know that the London con-
gress of 1872. organized by American in
fluences, was the first congress. ] can
assure you with the greatest confidence
that a congress like this. representing, as
it does, a great and growing movement
on behalf of humanity. and being inde-
pendent, as 1t is, and above all party or
political considerations, will find in Eng
land. or rather in Great Britain-for
Scotland and Ireland are very essential
parts Of the whole-a more than cordial
welcome.
In Spirit Rather Than Form.
II invite you with some difhdence. and
tell you frankly that the value and
strength of our penal institutions are
rather in the spirit than in the form.
We are an old country. Our buildings
are old and our laws are old. You will
not judge us. therefore. by the outside
but by the inward spirit. which informs
and directs US to a lofty conception of
the purposes of punishment and the
reclaima bility of man.
Let us glance for moment at the
object and purpose of these congresses.
Needless severity. cruelty and unneces-
Sary' suffering have passed out nf the