Milford chronicle., 1921-07-15
WORKHOUSE WARDEN
DEFENDS HONOR PLAN
TOLD KIWANIS CLUB MEMBERS THAT
SYSTEM IS ON FIRM FOUNDATION
AND WORKING WELL.
CANNOT Be BROKEN DOWN
Mr.. PLUMMER VIGOROUSLY DEFENDED
The SYSTEM NOW In VOGUE AT
THIS INSTITUTION.

Warden M. S. Plummer of the
Workhouse, in an address at the
luncheon of the Kiwanis Club, in the
Hotel du POnt, vigorously defended
the. honor system at the wOrkhOuse.
1t is on firm foundation and is work.
ing well, he said. He declared, also,
that in his opinion, it could not be
broken down.
"The honor system" he said,
teaches that there is always hope for
the driftwood of humanity. 1t teaches
that no matter what the sins of Omis-
sion and commission have been, our
unfortunate brothers can be nodded
into happy human beings. 1t teaches
that man should have real chance
to regain his lost status when he
shows a disposition to reform and
/ lead an industrious life. 1t teaches the
prisoner to realize the hopeful sign of
the possibility of accomplishing some
thing subject to good behavior both in
and out of prison. 1t teaches him to
realize the human responsiveness of
better things to come. 1t gives the
prisoner hope, the true impetus, the
sufficient incentive, to adjust himself
in the right way for future freedom.
1t teaches him to earn the remission
of the penalty by good conduct. 1t
gives constructive treatment to the
offender against society. 1t has for its
purpose the increasing of, the per-
centage of human salvage and nursing
them back to normal health. 1t finds
virtue in the shadow of crime. 1t
assists him to redeem himself. 1t is a
vehicle of restitution. 1t is a focusing,
crystallinZing and organizing effort to-
wards those who err and who are de-
serving and seeking a respectable
calling and for obtaining definite and
permanent results.
81 wish to state that the honor sys-
TEN means self-goVerning, supple
mented by aid from the officials; not
a relinquishing of constituted author
ity, but an aid towards making it
more effective. 1t is not radicalism
carried to impracticable lengths, or an
assumed antagonism to the rights and
welfare of the community. While prog
ressiVe in its aims and purposes yet
it is predOminantly conservative in it's
methods. 1t does not try to subvert
the pillars of society in an attempt to
achieve ll-cOnsidered and revolution
ary objects. 1t is entirely at variance
with the old prison penology, but |
teaches obedience to law and order,
through humane methods. It tries to /
build up character and without this
great moral force there can be no en-
during success. The accumulated ex-
perience of ages shows that character
is more important to a man than pros
perlty. We have certain obligations to
ourselves that must be met, but above
and beyond these duties comes the re-
sponsibility which we owe to others.
1t is quite true that charity begins at
home, but we must not stop there.
SO many people 1 know, both
friends and enemies, have watched
and are still watching for something
to happen at Greenbank- Jail
deliveries, etc.; some have prayed I
or it and some have. prayed against
t, but let me tell you, gentlemen,
lothing is going to happen to ruin our ;
honor system from the outside or from
he inside-we do not intend for any
nan or set of men to break us up. Our |
'nly asset is good conduct. No enemy s
Sreat or small can beat our system. s
We do not intend to compromise with
ustice for the sake of momentary {
;ain. 1t is only question of time
When our sacrifices will be recogniz- 1
ID by the people of our State as be- 1
ng for the common good-but for us S
o succeed we must not lack moral I
tamina. The sun will shine again for c
lost of the boys incarcerated in the b
lew Castle county workhouse. We
are to be a Daniel, dare to stand t
lone; dare to have purpose firm and h
are to make it known. We are putting O
hem on their feet again. We are teach a
lg our boys that someone believes in il
lem, has confidence in their first tim
steps towards faithfulness to God e
nd duty to society and fidelity to g
rinciple. They are trusted and cheer
i in every honorable endeavor as I
ley go forth again in the world to
ssume the responsibility of mans
ission. Just think of it, gentlemen,
wen another opportunity trusting a IL
an who once fell down. M
IT