The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-23

remain satisfied with antiquated routin- ism for imaginary spiritual and moral impression and with the medievalism of our pedagogy.
 In this connection it is significant that Of 10000 young men felons admitted to the Elmira reformatory fully 60 per cent had previously had experience in reform schools for delinaucnts, or in institu- tions for dependents, or in jails and short-term prisons intended for mlsde- meanants, and some of them had served in the state prison for hign crime. Also while most of the 10000 claimed to have attended the common schools 62 per cent were practically, if not technically, H. literate, and S9 per cent had no suit able industrial ability.
 Boise, In his great work, ''The Science of Penology-1ss9 gives official figures showing that of the many millions of registered school pupils in the United States 31.6 per cent were always ab- sent and 6S.39 per cent irregular attend ants. Now, when we recall that more than 25 per cent of the school pupils suffer from needless impeding morbid ities; that the same ratio of the, inmates received at the Elnira reformatory are diagnosed as tuberculosis, Ferris esti- mate that 75 per cent of dependency and crime could be prevented by proper care devoted to the young in the charities and schools does not seem extravagart.
 It Is encouraging to note that not so much as formerly in this youthful pliant field nor indeed anywhere else is now sought the virtues of rectitude and eco homie value by mere precept and mem- ory of moral maxims; but more effective ly by means of individual education with all that term in it's wide significance i'm plies.
 As an indication of this change last Sunday the church contribution was de- voted, not as has sometimes been, to the purchase of testaments, tracts and notices for the children of the local orphanage, put to buy tools and provide instruction for the boys of the orphan age in manual training.
 Everywhere too, is observed, as related to secondary educational interests, an awakening from the longtime stupid somnolence to lively regard for self preserving culture-regard for bodily health and development, manual and technical dexterity, and a conformable self-control.
 It is the new birth of biological, psych- ologic and economic science directed to the social welfare particularly by way of the schools and charities. It is a change of opinion, as to principles, too slowly but more and more nowadays applied to practical problems.
 The modern spirit of charity somewhat affects penology, alleviating rigors, mini mixing motive of profit; and the hope and methods of reformations are con siderably rationalized. Within 50 years the current theory of crime and the treatment of criminals have materially changed: and some accordant changes of prison management have also occurred.
 But. this article wants space for any proper statement of such alterations. It must suffice to indicate the change of theory by the briefest possible mention of the underlying principles of the Amer ican reformatory prison system, first ad- vocated at Cincinnati in 1870; inaugur- ated at Elmira in 1S76 generally opposed at first but now almost universally ap- proved. Under this system:
 The traditional punishment theory is substituted with the object of the public protection.
 The punitive (time) sentence system is changed to the reformative dndeterm- inate) sentence.
 The notion of soul saving by means of miraculous conversions Is now held sub servient to rehabilitation by rational reformation.
 The state no more assumes to trespass upon the mystic field of the souls rela-
  aoter. so as to promote the public se- curity. The state. while in all things en- deavorng to deal fairly, does not essay to "administer justice,'' but leaves that consideration to nature. Little regard is had to deterrency to be affected by ob- serving or experiencing the pains of inn prisonment.
 Nor, on the other hand, is the collec- tive welfare ever surbordinated to in vidual indulgence. The doctrine of the reciprocal Nnteraction of body and mind is accepted and therefore the dogma -freedom-is discarded. Strin- gent disciplinary requirements with use of coercion when it is needed to in- cite initial advancement is held to be necessary and justifiable.
 The harmonious development of the whole being for his self-preservation and proper social adjustment is never aban doned That such education is com prised in creation of healthy economic ambition and capacity coupled with a strong and tested instructive desire for correct habits.
 The outlook for charity and corrections the twentieth century-is most enticing. The writer regrets that the limit of al- lotted space forbids any remarks upon the change in prison methods and also excludes mention of the forecast of twen- tieth century progress in respect both to charity and correction.
 
 An unllnportant Biunder.
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