Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-15
CITY HALL
.(Continued from Page One)

the whole question mas never been stud
led scientifically, but we believe now
that in New York state we have some
thing to tell other states
Mr. Osborne said that he did not enter
the prison reform work as a philan-
thropist because for 20 years he had
been a business man in Auburn, presi-
dent of one of the largest manufactur.
companies in the state, until he retired
to enter politics and become twice mayor
Of his home city. He was then appoint
ell chairman of the public service com
mission and his yearning to associate
with people whose principles and actions
had some logical connections led him to
enter the Auburn penitentiary as a pris
oner and study the inmates at close
range. That institution, he said, had al
ways been a source of irritation to him
and regarded as a failure by all intelli-
gent men, but he held faith in the doc
trne of liberty and after going to the
rock-bottom OF the entire system of prts-
on reform he suggested self-government
for the prisoners based on the fact that
among them the strictest loyalty pre-
vailed and this loyalty was the finest
thing in the world.
Where there is a constant conflict
between prison rule and this splendid
loyalty then there is something the
matter with the rule. 1t is impossible
for officials to realize the strain on
man in that odious place. Nothing can
be imagined so horrible. He came out
filled with rage and remorse to think
that people outside continue their vo-
cations and never give thought to the
men behind prison bars. The old system
was preposterous anu not fitted for any
conceivable human being. It taught
men to hate you, to hate the state,
hate those who put the system in OPP
Grafton and society in general. Conse-
quently I concluded that the place to
start prison reform was inside and not
outside. If prisoners can't produce it
no one can. They use to be one con-
gested mass of criminals and thought
of US as people who had added hy-
pocrisy to our other faults. We failed
for 100 years and then the Mutual We'll
fare League went into operation"
Mr.. Osborne read many letters from
men, either now serving terms in pris-
on or who have been discharged and
are now leading honest lives, among
20 years behind the bars but now holds
a position in Buffalo at a salary Of
$1,000. Another letter which he read
extracts from during the evening, con-
cluded with the motto, Don't do any
thing dirty against your friends"
which the writer had set up to follow.
Il think I'll have that written in an in
telligible hand, suitably framed and
send it to Governor Whitman" added
Mr.. Osborne. ct was Governor Whit
man who removed him from Sing Sing
prison and after his vindication of the
charges preferred and he had resigned.
recently issued orders not to allow
him within the walls under any pre-
text whateverD
Young Man Example
At this point Mr. Osborne intro
duced young man, "a years of age.
who has served II years of his life in
reformatories and prisons in New
York state, who related the difference
between the old system and the new
and its effect upon those who are I'M
fortunate enough to land behind prison
bars. This lad was Harry Bolaski born
on the East side in New York and said
he did wrong because he didn't know
any better, that society was to blame.
Under the Mutual Welfare work he
learned that he could get something
good if he gave something for it. It
helps in prison and helps outside. Men
realize that they have a chance and
live up to it, he said. Bolaski said that
in prison the men elected their own
officers and knew if they were report-
ed they deserved punishment, hence
the system teaches responsibility. Con-
hnuing Mr.. Osborne said: DO not
make the mistake of going from bru-
tality to sentimentality. We teach the
men not to cover their history We
want them to tell the truth to his en-
ployer because the league stands for
truth You can't reform a man hut II
IS possible to create conditions. An in
fernal prison system will destroy q
mans soul. 1t outrages his manhood |
ana always keeps crushing him down
Under the league the situatio,
changes We expect the men ~ do
right and they are going to do II 7, 10
system of uplift all the wav tbroueb
The discipline in Auburn ana sins