Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-09-17

citizens.
The important thing for these men. and for
any community into which they happen to come,
is not what they have been. but what they will
become II given an opportunity. The question
as to where they were born. and why. when and
where they were imprisoned fades in the face
of the pressing need for work and q chance to
prove their worth This need the Central Howard
association il seeking to supply. The fruit of its
endeavors IL shown not only in the number OF
men It has encouraged. advised and aided IN q
material way but in the continued and rapid
changes taking place in public sentiment toward
the offender and in the new freedom given to
those in bondage everywhere.
One Of the finest tributes ever paid the Central
Howard association IL contained in the following
which came unsolicited from . discharged
prisoner whom the association had once be-
friended:
"A little more than q year ago I was dis
charged from a prison in New York state where
had just finished sewing q term for highway
robbery committed In New York city. There !
was born and there had for Q number Of years
pursued q criminal career.
Before obtaining my freedom I had resolved
to reform. to get work, and lead an honest life.
my best efforts to get . Job Of any sort were
unsuccessful. 20 about . month later left New
York. with nve dollars in my pocket and an un-
broken resolution to stick to living on the
square
Last October arrived in Chicago on . Wa
bash box car-ragged and friendless-after zig
gag chase of that willo'-the-wisp. Job. cover
ing over two thousand miles. In . couple OF
days the few dimes I had were gone for food
and lodging. So that Iprss61t1y f6und myself
homeless. jobless and broke
In casting about for means Of obtaining the
material with which to write East In IN endeavor
to get some money. decided to ask . prison
association to oblige me in this regard.
>~sA~ ~wS>1A> - "a
dress Of the Salvation Army Prison bureau Co
ing there told the onicer in charge that was
an ex-convict and would appreciate the favor Of
writing materials. etc. He said that there were
no facilities there for writing. That would per-
haps find better accommodations at the Central
Howard association. He very courteously IN
vited me to return to his once II I met with
failure there
"On the twelfth noor Of . large ONCE building
in the heart Of Chicago found the Central How.
ard association.
1T was my lucky day-in that small suite Of
ofices was to nnd more than l consciously
sought or from my previous experience had been
led to hope for.
"On explaining my errand briefly. Q Uttered
table was cleared for me. Pen. ink and paper
provided: no questions asked. and proceeded to
write for two hours When I finished and pro
pared to leave was called into q small private
ONCE. "You are . stranger here? Looking for
JOB! Have You place to sleep tonight, to
eat? The men who asked these questions gave
me money for my supper. lodging and breakfast.
and told me to come there in the morning That
he would then send me to some places where |
might get work.
Il left there that late afternoon with Q heart |
beating high with hope. with new grip on my 70 |
solve to stay straight
mo word had been spoken Of reform, no men |
tion Of religion made no machinemade charity |
doed out. no maudlin pretense there but instead |
the square dealing Of practical help and under |
standing.
The next morning ! was given several cards |
and directions Each card bore an application |
for work addressed to IN employer Specifying |
the Job sought and my name. Each bore the |
signed Recommendation Of r. Emory Lyon super.
intendent Of the Central Howard association.
The European war was on. business unusually
depressed. and Jobs more than scarce Every day |
went there for these cards until finally secured
, Job. Every day for two weeks / found the |
same unfailing willingness to help me get work. |
Every night I was given money for food end |
lodging Every day many others were receiving
The same help and encouragement
Chicago may well be proud Of the work Of this |
prison association: Of the work OF Doctor Lyon |
md his assistantsL The reform Of criminal n |
generally considered . rather hopeless proposi-
lion. both By the public and By the criminal him
Ielf. and with good reason That good reason
IN .nnirfS md oN8~ A. r~-x-, 4