Evening journal., 1921-07-25
CONVICTS Sing
OUTSIDE JAIL
Workhouse Glee Club is
Heard by 1000 in St.
Pauls Church
URGES
PAROLE BILL


Church last night, a feature Of the
services being the musical program
presented by the prison glee club.
II was the first time that Delaware
convicts ever attended a religious
service outside a Delaware prison.
Tears were noticed in the eyes of
several Of the prisoners especially
when the congregation voted unani-
mously in support of the honor
system" and TO aid in every manner
to give better opportunities to those
leaving the institution at the expira-
tion of their sentences.
The nineteen prisoners present at
the services are serving terms from
one year to life. They wore white
shirts, black ties and dark trousers.
A crowd estimated at about 1000 fill
ed every available space in the au-
ditorium and balcony of the church
and overfiowed into the corridors and
onto. the street.
The Rev. Carlisle L. Hubbard, pas
tor, delivered an evangelistic ad-
dress. punctuated by striking IL
.
emily in the depths Of ldespair
saw the light of faith and found new
life. He urged upon the congrega-
ton to use all its influence in sup
port of the parole bill sponsored by
Warden Plummer which would give
prisoners a chance to make good
outside OF prison doors" before the
expiration of their terms. He declared
that the bill would be passed by
the Legislature IL the sentiment of
the people was aroused in its favor.
The pastor readS statement in which
he voiced his opinion on the action
Of Warden Plummer in bringing the
Glee Club as guests TO the church,
which follows;
1T is not necessary for me to say
that I heartily agree with the action
Of Warden Plummer and the Board
of Trustees Of the New Castle Coun-
ty Workhouse in bringing to the
church the Glee Club. composed en-
tirely Of prisoners. l know that this
is an unprecedented thing, but II
must be remembered that St. Paurs
Church is given to smashing prece-
dents; and so, too, thank God, is
the management of the Workhouse.
There is some opposition to the
present method Of conducting the
Workhouse, but this Is largely due
to ignorance on the part Of those
opposed. The trustees and warden
are not, as some people believe, soft
hearted and soft-headed sentiment
talists. On the contrary, they are
grim, hard-headed business and
professional men, who realize it is
for the better to treat a convicted
criminal in such a way as to send
him out into the world upon the
completion Of his sentence, a friend
to society to become a useful citi-
zen; rather than by ill-treatment
send him out more degraded than
when he came in.
This meeting tonight is to say to
all Delawareans; Look what we are
doing-we are taking the criminal
and saying you are here for punish
ment and you must bear it, but
while you are paying the penalty for
breaking the law, we who represent
the people want you to know that
you can come back into society at
the end Of your sentence and be-
come trusted prisoners" He admon-
ished the prisoners thus:
while you obey the rules we will
trust you and put within your reach
opportunity compatible with your
surrounding. to remake your life
morally, physically and spiritually.
We are your friends and we will help
you to make men Of yourselves.
81 .I.ra..
OF the opportunity, but IL a small
percentage will and II Warden Plum
mer and the trustees can send them
back to their homes good citizens
then they are doing a Christlke
work for the men themselves and
| placing the State under a vast obli-
CATION" Again addressing himself
to the congregation, he concluded:
Honor System Makes Good
For the State has no more vaiu-
able asset than a man, even though
he be remade. Warden Plummer and
the trustees should have the SYM
pathy and support Of every good citi-
zen. Their plan is proving a mar
velous success. The honor system is
making good.
Here the men honor the trustees.
love the warden and keep the rules.
let us stand by the management:
give them the money to furnish
facilities for the furtherance Of their
good work. Let us refrain from
criticism, unless 1t is constructive. I
trust this meeting will stir deep in
terest in the work and win for this
self-sacrihcing management, the sup
port OF all good people"
Throughout it all, the prisoners
sat calmly. They appeared quiet
hammered and with kindly, genial
faces.
The men arrived in motor-cars
without guard. They returned to the
Workhouse after the service in the
same way. Warden Plummer and
J. Frank Ball, president Of the
Board OF Trustees we're applauded
upon being introduced by DIR. Hub
bard.
The prisoners and the length OF
their sentences are as follows:
First tenor-William Higgins
serving years 4 months: Joseph
Scuddler, serving years: Theodore
Rodgers. serving years.
Second tenor-Alonzo Ward, serv-
ing 3 years so days; Ernest Smith
serving ? years 6 months; Isaac
Swiggett, serving 10 years.
Baritone-Norman Hinson, serv-
ing 10 years; James Bayard, serving
IA years; Martin Watson, serving is
, months; Calvin Wells serving 3