South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-03-18
Shows Advancement of Demo-
cratic Ideals Throughout
W0rId-G0v. Stewart De-
SCribeS Prison Reforms.
WESTERN STATE GIVES
EX-C0NVICT A CHANCE

Democracy. or the outlook for the
common people, was the theme of
three masterful addresses comprising
the program at the March dinner Of
the Knife and Fork club at the Oliver
Tuesday evening.
Charles Pickett, former congress
man from Iowa, Samuel Vernon Stew
art governor Of Montana, and George
r. Crosse. president Of DePauw uni
versity. were the speakers.
Pickett spoke on 1.-The Civic Equa-
tion," expounding the theory or the
judiciary IN the United States. it's re-
lation to other governmental depart
ments and assailing the judicial re-
call. Stewart discussed Applied HUI
mainly m Prison Control" detailing
the strides in advance taken by Mon
tana and Grose, whose address, though
without design, served as a striking
climax to the first two, spoke on The
Outlook for the Common People"
Rarely. II ever, has the Knife and
Fork club, heard a more powerful
speaker than Pres. Crosse. His address
was scholarly and dynamic. The
depth and breadth Of vision of the
educator was presented in the most
forcible and eloquent manner. an
eloquence devoid Of all suspicion Of
claptrap. mechanics or mere rhetor-
zeal flourish.
Sober Optimism.
Sober and substantial optimism
rang through all the periods of the
speech. Crosse pictured the advances
which the idea OF democracy has un-
dergone in the past ages, marveled at
the rapidity of the changes and pre-
arer
future.
Tho most notable advance in the
ideals OF the age. Crosse declared, was
the reinforcement of aristocracy.
whether e be OF power, of wealth or
OF education. and the accepted realiz-
alton that man is a man, no more,
and thank God, no less"
The speaker traced the effect Of
this new conception in the advance
ment and broadening Of educational
advantages for the common people
and interpreted the movement for
personal cleanliness and those against
liquor and commercialized vice as eff
forts to give TO every man the right
to be well born, we'll housed. well fed
with an equal chance to attain the en-
toyments and luxuries of life. While
insisting upon these fnalienable rights
as inherent in every human being,
Crosse disclaimed any notion of the
establishment of an Utopia"
II have no idea that a dead level
or society can be established" said
he. There are the inequalities in
ability in human beings which cannot
be ignored. There are the ten talent
ed men and the one talented. And
each is necessary, each fills his niche
in society,"
The speaker declared he never had
been guilty of assailing the rich man
nv,1wr -. =, ~.s-F.
sisted that no homage be paid to the
money king because Of his money If
he holds a greater place in the respect
and esteem of mankind il must he for
his intrinsic worth as a man. Crosse
maintained. The elevator man may
be entitled to as much respect for the
faithfulness with which he serves as
the bank president, he said.
DisCIaims Communism.
"You might divide all OF the prop
erty in South Bend equally among its
various citizens tonight" said he. "and
tomorrow there would be the HAYES
and the have nots.'"
With this disclaimer Of a cOmmun-
istic idea. Pres. Crosse concluded his
address with the declaration that the
progress Of the democratic theory and
the brighter outlook Of the common
people depends upon Christianity.
1--WE cannot accomplish the adj
vance by tinkerirg with the exterior"
said he, cor b. tampering with laws.
We must reach man through the heart
of man; we must enthrone personal
integrity, moral worth and character,
above all aristocracy whether il be
OF power. wealth or education"
EX-COng. Pickett declared that the
independence of the judiciary is it's
cardinal virtue and pointed out that
the proposed recall would overthrow
the equilibrium OF that branch Of gov
eminent which now acts as a balance
wheel. a check upon the mob. "the
protection OF the people against them
selves"
Striking Prison Reform.
The most striking reform in prison
methods indicated in the speech OF
Gov. Stewart was the creation of "a
parole commissioner in Montana, an
officer whose duties bridge the gap be-
tween ex-cOnvict and the world when
the former leaves the prison 10 re-
sume again his place among his fell
bows.
Pointing out the difficulties which
teset the convict leaving prison. how
ever high his purpose. in securing
and retaining honest work. Gov. Stew
art showed how the parole commits
siOner, acting as confidential agent
between the prisoner and an employer
obtains the chance which in all but a
small percentage OF cases. results in
the restoration TO society OF a useful
member.
The commissioner finds out from
prisoners expecting TO be discharged
what their aspirations in the line Of
occupation are and seeks 10 find en-
plOyment for them. When this en-
ployment is obtained he maintains
friendly interest in the career OF the
ex-convict until the latter is again
firmly established.
Gov. Stewart said in part:
What shall we do with the trans
gressor2 is a question that is as old as
organized government itself A va
riety OF answers have been suggested
and put into effect with varying de-
grees Of success.
The most ancient answer TO the
query was short; in fact, curt and eff
feCtive. at least from one point OF
view. For a long time death was the
only generally approved method of
punishment. just as il was in our own
Vigilente days. Then came imprison-
ment and torture. and other kindred
means employed 10 infiict suffering,
q -