The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1911-01-19

neeued ana mas work to do IN the
interest and for the benefit of hu-
manity, but it is like an onion bed
it wants wedding out. 1t should not
be turned into a literary circle,
where the crude literary aspirations
of those seeking literary honors are
indulged in. The National Con-
gress has a host of members who
have been connected with it for
years. They are deep, profound
thinkers, men of practical thought.
Prison managers in very close touch
with the institutions they represent,
know their needs and come in per-
sonal contact with their charges, and
when any penal institution is ad-
yanced step forward, it has been
their energetic labor that has brought
it about. But, gentlemen, in my
opinion there is still another organ
ization which is more important as
to the welfare Of the convict and
to Society in general than the Ma
tional Prison Congress. 1t is the
National Prison Wardens' Associa-
ton. This is practical working
order composed of the warcens of
the different penal institutions of
the country. IF there is any man
on earth whom I would term a pc
nologist it is long time, experienced
and practical prison warden. 1t
takes gifted, brainy man years to
secure the knowledge that makes
him valuable prison warden. If
any man thinks he can secure, by a
four years, cnnraa of atndiaa, the
knowledge that will make him an
expert in penology he fools no one
but himself. There are men today
who have for twenty-five years been
closely connected with the manage
ment of penal institutions who are
still hard at work solving the prob
lem Of penology and they will con-
tinue to dig into progressive methods
of this nature as long as they are in
working harness. They must, for it
is impossible for them to retreat
Their efforts and their work are now
thoroughly understood by the pub
lie. Furthermore, the intelligent
thinking citizensof the country fully
appreciate the value of the services
rendered to Society by this class Of
prison managers, for they are the
genuine prison reformers.
thoroughly believe that to the
Wardens' Association should be ac-
credited the great reforms that have
been introduced into the penal insti-
tutions during the past twenty years
The Association has always been
anxious to elevate and advance pro.
gressively in the government of iti
institutions, and when it has needed
! the sanction Of it's respective legisla.
tors for legislative acts to do SO, i
has agitated sentiment which have
brought about such measures. It i,
very true that the Wardens' Asso
citation is not composed of senti
mentalists; they do not adopt or &C
into Mysteries over every proposition
advanced by would be reformers
They think these prison probleml
out for themselves; they consult ane
exchange views with one another
If a proposition for advanced pro
gress is put in action by them, res
assured both the convict and tn,
Estate will reap the benefit The As
sociation is a progressive one. 1
has always been SO. The work i
has done in the interest and for tn,
betterment of the convict is. price
less. The value Of their work fo
humanity in the dregs will some day
be fully known by the unfortunatel
land fully appreciated. The Nationa