Evening journal., 1912-06-12
BROWN MUST
Die in PRISON
PardoH Board Refuses Liberty
Request Of TuberCular
Prisoner
MeTHER BEFORE BOARD
IN HER SONS BEHALF

Harvey f. Brown, colored, a pris=
oner at the workhouse, who made
plea before the Board Of Pardons for
a pardon as he was dying OF tuoercu-
losis. must die in prison. The Board
of Pardons yesterday afternoon in
spected the workhouse. saw Brown,
and heard the objections Of Miss
Emily p Bissell. and Or. A. Robin,
representing the Delaware Anti-Tu-
berculosis Society. and then decided
not to grant the pardon.
The action of the board was set
forth in this resolution
"That the request for a recommen-
dation for pardon of Harvey p. Brown
be refused, because the board feel that
as he is in an advanced stage OF tu-
berculosis, he would. If liberated. be
a menace TO the community as a
source of contagion, and that the duty
to protect the public at large must
overshadow the appeal to the mercy
OF the board IN this particular case (;
and further, because the sanitary ar
rangements for the isolation of the
prisoner and the prevention Of con-
tagion are better az the workhouse
than n he we're at large
Or. Samuel c. Rumford, physician
al the workhouse. set forth his views
on the subject. He said to the board:
"The objections raised by the Anti
Tuberculosis Society are most just
and wise" and "as Or. Robin has in
formed you. our provisions for treat
ment Of these prisoners are most COM
plete. and by isolating them we try
to prevent the spread OF the disease
In an advanced case like Browns,
can only see benefit to come from the
mental effect OF freedom In its asso.
ciated exercise, etc, which are out OF
question while In prison. The danger
10 the public in letting loose men OF
this type to spread their infection
is very grave"
Members OF the Board Of Pardons
saw Brown who was seated on a We
randa wrapped In blankets. He said
he was very sore and when asked II
he liked TO sleep on the veranda, said
# made no difference where he glept.
The members OF the pardon board
conferred with the trustees OF the
institution following an inspection
OF the institution and fully discussed
the subject.
Brown was represented by Deputy
City Judge Harry P. Joslyn The
prisoners mother. who wanted her
son home with her 10 nurse in his dy-
ing days. was present and presented
q pathetic figure
Dr. Robin said he was satisfied that
the workhouse had ample facilities
for advanced cases OF tuberculosis
He had not examined Brown, but war
of the opinion that he was sufferine
from tubercular glands He spoke OF
the fact that others might become in.
fected In case an advanced case o
consumption was permitted 10 he al
large. and he cited instances where
such had occurred.
Miss Bissell said the society which
she represented was organized to pre-.
won't infection and that its chief func.
tion was 10 educate the people where
by It might be possible TO stamp oui
the disease. Browns case. she said
was not a personal one. but was
test case. and she assured her hear
ers that II was a painful duty for hel
70 go before the board to object Il
giving a dying man his liberty. A
the same time. she said the societ,
was bound 10 educate the public. "W
know consumption Is very contagiou
IN advanced cases. she said "and
pardon would make link In n chair
for an advanced case may infect fror
two 10 four persons in one home. w
feel that we must protect the innocen
Wherever We can and must stop IN
\ lection whenever we can"
~.Ar, Joslyn made an earnest ple
for Hrown, and made touching refer
ence to the desire OF the old mothe
that she might have her son hom
with her to care for him during hi
dying days.