Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1917-07-20
new PfNOLOCY TRIUMPH
GREAT WOODMEN ORDER ADOPTS
SUGGESTION OF G.. <.
VASALY

by the Head Camp, NJ. w. A., at its
recent session in Chicago, which J: W.
Crossfeld attended as delegate from
Minnesota, was the elimination from
the laws of the provision preventing
eliminates of penal institutions and
persons convicted Of felonies from be-
coming or being re-admitted as mem
bers. Fraternal societies generally
have such provisions. The adoption
of more humane rule by the largest
fraternal organization in the world
means not only recognition of mod
ern ideas in penology, but will u1i-
doubtedlv be an example for other So
cieties to follow.
The new rale was adopted following
its suggestion by C. E. Vasaly, chair
man Of the Minnesota state board Of
parole. The following correspondence
will be of interest:
(Copy)
est. Paul, Minn., April 20, 1915.
t:F. o. Van Calder, Editor Modern
Woodmen, Rock Island, Ill.
''Dear Elitor:
. Eat some of the meetings of the
executive council, action has been tax
en- with regard to certain members Of
the Modern Woodmen Of America con-
-victed AMI sentenced to imprisonment.
Their certificates have been cancelled,
and declaration made that, having 1,A-
feited their membership on account OF
such conviction and sentence, they can
never again become members OF the
society.
~ have been member Of the Or
der for twenty years. For six years,
as member of the state board of con-
troll and of the state board Of parole Of
Minnesota, of which I am chairman,
I have come in very close contact with
the whole problem Of delinquency. AS
YOU know. modern penology rests upon
a very different foundation than the
old. It is no longer question Of ven
geance but of salvation, Of making
men rather than making outcasts. It
is conceded that it pays the state, not
only materially but in every other
way, to save its unfortunates where it
can be done, to make them self-re-
specting, self-supporting. members OF
society
''The Modern Woodmen Order GER
tain1y is not at variance with the
spirit OF salvation and of mercy. Il
seems to me, however, that the action
taken by the executive council in some
VI IntSc CdStS Is uuutCcSSdl1lS udISI
When the certificate is cancelled, the
man himself does not suffer; the pen.
atty falls upon his family, which, in
addition to the humiliation and dis
grace of the husbands and fathers
sin, must often face future of grip
ing poverty. This is bad and sad
enough, but there are arguments for
it. When, however, not only is the
certificate Cancelled, but it is ordered
that never again may the unfortunate
man become a member Of the society,
no matter what his future course may
be. no matter whether in tears and
sorrow he has repented, no matter
whether he has. by honesty, sobrietv
and industry proved himself fit to be
received on equal terms by the COM
munity, this seems like assuming ven
geance that does not properly belong
to an order founded for benevolen.
purposes. If a man proves by his
works his sincere reformation, why
bar him from the comradeship Of old
associates and friends, if they are
willing to receive him, and why pre-
vent his family from receiving the pro-
lection and advantages which come
from such accepted comradeship? If
the state. which places the man on
probation and if found worthy, re-
stores him to all the rights of citizen
ship. including the tremendous power
Of making law through the ballot, can
feel safe in so doing. cannot the order
strain the quality of mercy enough to
forgive the -erring brother and re-
store him to its ranks9 That would
not iniure the integrity of the mem
bershir any more than the forgiveness
of sin Injuries the divine plan of sal
vation. I do. not say that this should
be done in everv case, but surely there
are worthy cases Why should not the
great order which has spent so much
to suffering humanity take great
step forward and add it's influence to-
ward the movement which is trying to
save the delinquent and not to destroy
him, and, in saving him, help to save
society,"
"Yours Fraternally.
"cev-mbd (Signed) C. E. Vasaly.'
Copy
"MO6ern WOodmen of Amarica',