The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-04
Interesting Discussion.

So absorbing did the problems Of
modern penology prove to the Con-
ference OF Governors that the entire
afternoon session OF three and one
half hours yesterday was occupied In
it's consideration IT was evidently
deemed one OF the live topics OF the
day The employment OF convicts,
their sentences, their treatment behind
prison walls. compensation 10 their
families for their labor. the whipping
post, all received attention and met
with varying views.
The Governors had planned TO talk
nbout marriage and divorce yesterfaF.
but could not reach this subject;
which may be taken up tonight
The discussion was opened by GOV
srnOr John r ShafrOth. whose State
OF Colorado has made A speciality 81
the study Of the convict problem. He
began by telling OF the different ideas
which prevail In this respect. one
class believes in punishment for ex-
ample, and thinks it should be certain
and severe, or crime and anarchy Will
be rampant in the land.
Two Harmful Viewpoints.
Yet. he said. this is d mistaken view.
Two hundred years ago England had
more than 100 capital crimes, yet the
punishments did not deter offenses.
When the retrlbution is too severe. II
makes Il difficult TO secure convic-
lions. and many escape justice. Once
there was torture. the dungeon, bread
and water, yet the world knows that
this IL not the way 20 prevent crime.
Therefore. the philosophy OF the hrst
school Is not well founded.
a second class says that there should
be no severe punishment-no capital
punishment at all. no long sentences
and that the pardoning power should
be freely exercised FOR many pardons
and combinations. Many excellent
men. he added. believe in this, prompt
ed by humane ideas.
This doctrine was thought dangerous
~ Governor ShafrOth. who said the
courts might as well be abolished II
they do not impose sentences that will
make criminals fear the law. or il
their judgments are to be overturned
by use OF the pardoning power
Between the two classes mentioned.
said Governor Shafroth. is 20 be found
the happy mean. Plans tried out In
Colorado have produced radical
changes in the reformation OF crimi-
nails. and have resulted IN lessening
crime
Colorado Reforms.
In the first place. the certainty OF
pQElenment IS necessity. sc-CDllO
pardons should not be issued except
IN the rarest cases. He has granted
but one in four years. he said Third
the inde-ermlnate sentence IS desir
able
Certainty OF punishment he felt 10
be the greatest deterrent. and the next
step after conviction Is TO let the
criminal earn mis- own liberty. This
IS done by a maximum and minimum
sentence Surprising a prisoner Is sent
up for ten to twenty years II his
behavior is good ne &, released at the
end OF ten years II ne violates the
law. he is put back 20 serve out the
rest OF the indeterminate sentence. so
that he has every incentive TO good
citizenship.
Besides. for good behavior and obe-
dieace 10 prison rules be earns one
month of the irst year. two months
the second year. three months the third
year. four months the fourth year. FIVE
months the NTH year. six months the
sixth year, and six months for each
year thereafter
Again. and still further those pris-
oners who, by the!r conduct. are re-
garded by the warden as trustworthy.
are permitted 10 60 out and work on
the roads. This kind of labor gives
additional time OF TO the amount OF
one third OF the tine expended on the
highways.
Earn Much Communication.
Altogether, by doing the very best
THAT he caA, a man 9th an indeter-
inmate sentence of ten 10 twenty years
may earn his own release on parole
within four years and three months
The guards are not armed. They
are themselves trus.ies In the four