East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1914-12-29

NEW YORK. Dec. 2s.-(SpeeiaD-
This is the first time have ever
been taken on the level; the wardens
trusted me, and am going to act on
the square"
Thomas Mott Osborne. the newly
appointed warden OF Sing Sing, at a
recent Columbia University meeting
of the National Committee on Prisons
and Prison Labor. emphasized these
words from one OF the honor men in
the Auburn road camp. During the
summer Mr.. Osborne spent two weeks
working with the men in this honor
camp, and he assured the large gath
ering Of the committee that he had
never had a more wholesome expert
ence.
THE Auburn camp is unique" he
stated, in that men were selected
for this work who had long terms to
serve so as TO put the scheme TO the
severest test. Out OF the twenty men
at the camp, five were life termers
and none had less than two years to
serve. One man had been nineteen
years in prison and had never seen an
automobile Another young Italian
serving a long term for burglary. had
special reasons for attempting escape,
as he was innocent OF the crime for
which he was convicted, his proof OF
innocence being that at the time when
- H. for MI
he is serving time. he himself was
committing another burglary in a
house three blocks away"
These prisoners were all held to
the right" Mr.. Osborne explained,
by the realization that they were the
representatives of the other four
hundred Auburn prisoners" The
work done by these prisoners is about
the best that has been done in the
state. as will be testified to by the
residents Of the district around Meri-
dan. y. Y, where the work OF the
camp was done. while it has given
great satisfaction to the county au-
thorities.
You would realize the advantage
to society Of this method OF handling
prisoners he concluded, IF you
could see the result in the men them
selves. Giving them healthy outdoor
work helps TO restore their moral
tone and is undoubtedly a great help
in the improvement Of their attitude
towards society The success in the
work done by the prisoners of Dan
nemora, Sing Sing and Auburn pris-
ons points the way for outdoor work
which ought to prevail in all our pris-
ons"
Prof George W. Kirchwey ex-
pressed the qualification OF the COM
mittee at Mr.. Osborne's acceptance of
the wardenship OF Sing Sing prison,
as he felt this would lead to the fuller
development Of the honor system. not
only in that institution but through
out the country.
George Gordon Battle, in address
ing the meeting on the case to abolish
prison slavery under the contract sys-
tenn in Rhode Island. demanded that
wages be paid the prisoner for all his
labor. both to lift him out Of slavery
and to enable him to contribute tow
ards the support OF those dependent
upon him.
We need this honor work on our
county jails." contended DR.. Hastings
Hart; "idleness and all its attendant
evils prevail in the majority of these
county institutions. Labor, and
where possible labor out of doors
should be developed in all the county
jails until such good time as they
can be brought under state control"
Adolph Lewisohn, chairman Of the
executive committee, pointed out that
the opportunities which are already
given our prisoners are the result Of
the changed attitude of society, which
has been aroused to interest in the
subject through the work Of the Ma
tional Committee on Prisons and
Prison Labor, and added that il the
plans OF the Committee for its future
activities can be successfully carried
out, reforms OF even greater import
ance to the public welfare will be eff
facted