Evening journal., 1921-04-20
v. {. I. j. HEARS
PRISON CALL
Workhouse Warden Tells
Women How They Can
Brighten Lives
SAYS PROHIBITION
CUT POPULATION

Representatives OF the nineteen
unions Of the w. c. T. T.. in New
Castle county were present at the
opening session Of the spring insti-
tute Of the union. in Harrison street
NJ f. Chapel today as Mrs Mary
Donnell, OF Newark. president Of the
w. c. T. u. was unable to be present
because OF sickness in her family.
Mrs. Fannie Buckson. OF Blackbird,
vice-president. presided.
Mrs. w. E. Habbart made the ad-
dress Of welcome thanking the dele
gates on behlaf OF the Wilmington
unions for their presence at the in
stitute. Mr. j. r. Garner made the
response, and the first business was
the reading OF minutes of the meet
ing OF the union held at Summit
Bridge last September 80, 1920.
Following the reading the superin-
tendents of the various branches
submitted reports.
Mrs. Mary G. Stengle conducted
the opening devotional exercises OK
pressing her deep sympathy for the
president. Mrs. Donnen.
Warden NJ. S. Plummer, OF the
New Castle county workhouse. ad-
dressed the members on the work
being done at the workhouse and
the things the women's organizations
of the county and city could do to-
wards Frightening the lives Of the
prisoners cofned there. Mr.. Plum
mer said in part: Since the advent
of prohibition the population OF the
workhouse has fallen off rs per cent
It is a rare thing now to get pris-
oner at the workhouse who has been
committed for drinking. I sincerely
hope that you will concern your
selves relative to the education Of
the public so that the necessity for
prison reform may be generally rec
ognized in Delaware. 1 believe in
the honor system, that is, self prison
government, supplemented by aid
from the officials: not a relinquishing
OF constituted authority. but an aid
toward making il more effective.
There are many intricate needs to
be met in dealingwith prisoners, and
only men and women OF sympathy
and who believe in lettering condi-
tions should hold office.
Unhappy prisoners in a prison
are disturbers and plotters. Effort
should be made TO have an appro-
priation for the building OF a sepa-
rate women's prison.
There is a veritable gold mine
OF possibility inside prison walls.
You will often find virtue in the
shadow OF crime. II is far better to
reclaim a prisoner than make a
moral wreck of him. When a man
is in trouble he usually sends for a
woman to get him out of II.
In conclusion Mr.. Plummer said
he was glad that the women now had
the ballot, as much can be accom-
/ plished by them at the polls. Fol-
lowing his address the members OF
! the union asked Mr.. Plummer ques-
tions regarding the workhouse.
When asked il he was in favor of
the whipping post, he replied that
he did not believe in eruelty.
Miss Letha Joseph gave a brief
outline Of the religious work being
done by the churches and organi-
cations at the workhouse and sug-
gested that some Of the W. c. T.
u. members entertain the women
prisoners, of whom there are
twenty.
The treasurer's report showed a
balance OF $3SS.40. Following the
reading of the report. the members
adjourned until o'clock. Luncheon
was served in the basement Of the
chapel. Mrs. r. W. Emerson led the
noon devotional exercises.
Madam Llayh Barakat, OF Phila-
delphia, will make an address at 3
o'clock this afternoon and a medal
contest will be held this evening in
charge Of the Young Peoples Branch
of New Castle county.