Daily British Whig (1850), 11 Dec 1908, p. 7

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asst rb hE SAVING SF CONVGTS + HOW OHIO REFORMED 2,000 LAW-BREAKERS. The Prisoners Must.Go to School --They Are Well Trained, and Aré Looked After When They Are Released, ¥. J. Haskin, in Syracuse Post-Standard. Mansfield, O., Dec. :5.--The glory of an dfterngon falling through barred win- dows, searching out the corners of the white walls and falling on the faces of 1,000 men and boys in clean Sunday clothes, while, led Yy an orchestra and trained choir, the melody of 1,000 strong Young voices rings beyond the walls and across the brown hills, chortising "Count your many blessings, see what God has done." It is the Sunday afternoon ser- vice in the Ohio State Reformatory, and they who sing have already begun to count their many blessjngs and are real- izing what God has Jfdone for them through the enlightened people of the, State of Ohio. These have been worsted + Tin the fight for existence. They went ~ into life poorly equipped. for the battle, under the handicap of weak character, ignorance, incompetency and untrained hands and were defeated. That is why they are here. They are to be made fit for the fight. When they leave this institution to take their places again in the field they will not be weak- lings, but men who have learned man- hood and its responsibilities. The work! here is to reclaim the criminal and | make of him a good citizen, fitted for | moral and industrial life. y { This is Ohio's method of dealing with | her men criminals between the ages of | sixteen and thirty, The idea was that | of General Roeliff Brinkerhoff, one of the world's greatest penologists. It might have beet only an experiment had | it not been turned over to J. A. Leonard, sometime school teacher, sometime | special Indian agent. Men make insti tutions and he has made this. Born for such work he has already proved in the eight years he has been in charge at Mansfield that three-fourths of the na tion's criminals could be saved to citi- | zenship if the nation would only go! | about it in the right way. This is a jail with the conventional things--impenetrable stone walls, the high barred windows, the long ranges | of brick and steel cells, and the unre laxed vigilance of officials. * But the lock step has given place to the military fread { the striped clothes are gone and | neat uniforms take their place; hand cuffs, whipping posts and chambers of | torture have given place to a simple, bare } "meditation chamber," where the of fender is sent to think out matters for Jiimself, and the guards combine with -- their oversight the addigignal duties of insgructor in some branch ofNgterary, in dustrial or agricultural educati¥s These are all convicts, remember Fach has been tried by the laws of the | adjudged criminal is a beast and must | state, has been adjudged guilty of some offense against society, and has been sent here to pay the penalty under a sentence that may from one year to thirty years--accord- ing to the nature of the offense, | main for'a year at least. { known. so far have made good. extend anywhere | every humati characteristic. "I old way was to put these men at work, or place them mm solitary confinement until the expiration of the time named, and then sed them out to become even greater offeriders against society, bitter from confinement, with hands still un- frained and still uncured.' Modern philanthropy sees in the prisoner . one who is morally ill and who has: been downed in an unequal fight. "It*means to cure him.. How is his to be done? _ dhree-fourths of the crime committed in the United States are crimes against property. People want property that other people have and not being trained to earn it, and not knowing how to get it otherwise, they take it, or! destroy it, and the commonwealth comes in, proves him a felon and orders that he pay the penalty, for the law-abiding members of society must be protected, . Here at Mansfield they mean to so teach and train the inmates that when each goes in the world again he will know that the property of another must be held in- violate, but that he can have like things if he will earn the money and buy them. And he will be able to work ar some trade and earn for himself. As soon as a man of boy enters the Ohio State Reformatory the superintendent has 'a long talk with him, as man to man, The aims of the institution are outlined, #s restrictions and its priv- ileges defined, and a book of rules re- garding conduct, study and the way in which the parole may be carned is given. Each inmate must' go to school whether he wishes to or not, Teachers from the best training schools are here, and the boys and men are taken through the eighth grade. Ikac¢h inmate must Jy v his i DAILY BRITISH WHIG, FRIDAY, D: jes 9y se uew 3unof ® pres | Burfue on the high chair before the state's commissioners: waiting to hear if 'he was 10 be paroled, after having been allowed to state his own c3se. "Somehow it had never seemed to matter to anybody 'what 1'did, and I had never learned to do any work that I could make a living at, and it wasn't until the first day.l came and Mr. Leonard talked with me that | realized I could be as manly and as fit for life as any one else. Do you kuow, 1 can't help. but wish my brother could come... He has never Had an change. either," Might it not. throw some light on this feeling of "nobody caring" when it is known that 75 per cent. of the Mmates here have come from homes where cither the father or mother is gone, that 50 per cent. are from homes broken by divorce? Not long ago two boys--not yet vested with the esprit de corps that{ tinguishes the institution from the su' perintendent on down through every in- structor and inmate--tried to run away, The 'guard being fleet .of foot, ran one down. He looked to see if the éther had escaped. He found him. a captive under = pile of his fellow. convicts who, sitting upon him, were lecturing him and pointing out that he was a disgrace to the institution, a disappointment to the superintendent and a detriment to their own advancement. Good conduct and "trusty" badges are eagerly sought for, and royally worn. The fellow who fails either here or out in 'the world is re- duced in rank&S put in 4 brown pr gray suit and must rk his way of to the blue suit, the white cloth tovered table in- dis- | of . the upper dining room, and to his learn: some trade, by which he can make his living when released. Each is given | spiritual instruction by a chaplain who | left one of the biggest, best paying churches in the state to take up his work, [Each inmate is cominitted. on an indeterminate sentence. He must re- None is re- leased on less time. He practically wins his own release, by obedience to the laws of the institution, by good work and study and by learning the trade assigned to him. When he is released on recommen- dation of the superintendent, he is given a good suit of citizen's clothes, his trans- portation-and $5 'in honey. This is the least of his gifts, for hest of all, a job has been found for him, he is going to it with all his reformatory' record Two field agents of the insti- tution will help him with advice, and get him a new job if he this one through no fault of his own. In event loses he fails again, he is brought back to the | reformatory. Three out of every four I'wo things that has astounded out- siders is that from the very beginning find] release as a reclaimed citizen. To all appearances the inmate of the Ohio State Beformatory has most of tlic | privileges of a free person. He may | write a sealed letter of complaint at any | time to the superintendent, or go before | him for a privaté héaring. He may ap- peal from the superintendent -to the board of managers, and even t® the gov- ernor. A most novel reature is the pro- vision fof bankrupts who have used up all their "points" of conduct and who get deeper and deeper in debt of this | kind and further from parole every year. If a fellow who has failed in this way is really anxious to reform he may file a petition in bankruptcy, the old scores are all wiped away, and he may begin as the first day he entered the place. Germany had a commission over diere not long ago looking into the work Mansfield. So did Canada, so should Elmira and Concord, it is doing a won- derful work. There is a circulating good magazines, "Where in your scheme have you made provision for talking and for laughter?" wrote Mr. other institutions before he began the the inmates are treated as men,' are shown the courtesy and consideration that man offers man in the world, and each is known by his own name, his individuality*is preserved and bettered. I'his is rank heresy in prisondom in gen- eral, for the old theory has been that an be cut off from all things human. Sup- erintendent Leopard's idea is that greater pains must be taken to develop never knew Before that a fellow like me could The | really. do anything that would count for x ; ; work here. They were silent, i made provision for these, and tinigs there is the same joy, the same merriment that characterizes the club | or the home of other fellows, and, like all the other vadi¢al and good things of the institution, it is "worth while, Lady Censor At College. | Resentment has been created in stu- | dent circles ap Glasgow University by an {order forbidding "flirtation" within the | university precints between other nations 'and other states, for, like | x | serving library here, and 700 of the inmates take | dollars Leonard to | { their corns. Can you out the pi re into three pieces, which rearranged will show the pup as he appeared while ruming away from the dog. catcher ? women students; A Iidy has Been ap- pointed as moral ¢ensor, "and, installed in an office in one of the quadrangles, and her duty is to keep an eye on tire behavior of lady students. More than one young lady has been reported for "simply speaking" to a male student of her acquaintance, and the University Magazine says: "There is a' prying, pru- dish interference with our daily life; an insult to our university character. One swithers between laughter: and anger. It cannot conceivably last; so we shall jump to the side of "the laughable. There is more to be said, but we leidve it to the fellow-undergraduate to say forcibly and pointédly." +1t is added that the severe atmosphere of the nunnery, however desirable, is impossible at Gil- morehill. Mr. Schwab's Latest Surprise. Mr. Charles M. Schwab, former presi- dent of the 'Dominion Iroh and Steel Company, who Ha¢ made scveral flying. visits to Montred® during the past few months has given the 'newspapers an- other surprise. It is not long since'we read he had made a wedding gift of four million 'dollars to "his sister; now it is said that lie has sold his horses, i disthissed his 'army of servants, closed 1 at | his magnificent New York palace, and gone into the country te Fetrench. Less than thirty years ago Mr. Schwab was behind the coutter.in a small store at 'Braddock for a few a week, asa prelinlinary to driv- ing stakes for the Carnegie Company at a dollar a_day. While he was still 'in his thirties. he was credited with a holding in the company for which twen- grocery He has | ty years earlier 'he had' drivén "stakes at certain | Was estimated at nearly $40,000,000. oo -------- Corn Superstition, Many think they can't get rid Perhaps because t remedies ~ that failed. Pe Salve will 'mot fail. In 15c., at Wade's drug store. of used Corn hoxes, To The Ladies : At Home cards, visiting cards, ctc., men and | cheapest and best, at Whig office. 'Has Been a We Have Decided to ; Keep Right on Selling at Sale Prices Until Christmas Eve VERONA HAPPENINGS. Death of Mrs. Lawson-Smith-- . Man Broke His Leg. Verona, Dec, 10--~Teéams have Degun hauling down the feldspar from the Bor- der mine to the station. The several inches of snow which have fallen, will afford a more rapid transit. William Abrams, the monageharidn, expects to start in a few days on his annual trip visiting friends in Kingston, Sunnyside and 'Watertown and Resiere, N.Y; 'where his son resides. Since writing last, the population of Verond has increased by one--A. E. Holland is the happy pos- sessor. of a son. On Thursday of last week, Mrs! Law- son Smith, after a month of patient suffering passed away." Her funeral was held on Saturday to tHe Methodist church and was largely atténded. Rev. Wilkie "Collins officiated. Apart from the choral service by the choir, Miss Hettie Steele, to fill a request, sahg with much feeling and expression *'I will meet you in the morning." The remains were placed in Lake View cémeterey. Jas. McMahon had the sad misfortune last week break his leg in two places. Dr. McCarfer's new office is nearing completion and will be ready for oc- cupancy the first of the month. The Epworth League is growing in member- ship and much interest is centred there for old and young. Last Friday evening the church was well filled and a very interesting lecture swas given: Miss Frankie Keates has resigned her position. with A. B." Wastelsky to enter in a matrimonial alliance. Her place is supplied by Miss Grace Trousdale. Mrs. David Snider, of the Cobalt, is visiting her father, A. Abrams for a few days. Arthur Rider, of the Cobalt, ar- few weeks at his home. at Queen's, spent 0 3 friends. J. § J. H. SUTHERLAND & BRO. 3 y : : Te * 2 % : : x : & a 5 Our Christmas Footwear Display wins great admishtion ¥ from every looker, and well it may. oh FOR WOMEN~--There are Handsome Street and Dress # Boots, with<the héew Cuban lieels and narrow Toes. Beau- & tiful Slippers, Sandals and Oxfords in Dainty styles. = 3 We've everything to make a Woman's foot look hand- some. 7 : : "7 * FOR MEN--W¢'ve splendid Shoes in all the new shapes, made from the best 'of 1 r, Shoes, Slippers, Dancing Pumps, etc. 3 FOR BOYS AND MISSES--Wc've the best of Shoes for School-and Dress occasions. Leggins and Rubber Boots for the Girls and Little Fellows, etc, ete. i Can't tell you the half here--Come; sce. The Home of Good Shoe Making. Sweepers Grand Rapids, $3.00 Superior, $3.30. Two of the best Sweeper made in the world to-day. There is no longer any ques. tion of the superiority of the Sweeper as compared with the old corn broom. Neither is there any longer a ques- tion as to which is the best Sw made. We sell it. THE "BISSELL." Business Shoes, Full Dress Values Like These All Over the Store Gentlemen's Wear Suitable for Christmas Presents Mufflers--the largest range in the city to select from--Prices 29¢c., 39¢., 49¢., 69¢c., 89c., $1.19 to $1.95. gE Men's Trousers at 89¢c., $1.19, 1.65, 1.95, 2.45, to 3.95 7erCos ecials : Ov creoat Sp Boys' Suits--3 Garments--Good Tweeds--$2.95, 3.45, 3.95, 4.45 to Men's Overcoats in Black Frieze, Cheviots, Meltons and the appearance of coats double thé price asked. AH es Tapers BIOS Beavers, having Byles. Boys' Norfolk Suits--Single or Double Breasted--Sizes 24 to 34-- 19¢., Very special at. ...v. crv viriaivnnans cer. . $1.95, 2.45, 2.95 to 6.95 Gloves--Several Makes to select from--Mocha, Dog Skin, Kid, &c., lined--69¢., 89c., $1.19, 1.39, 1.69 to $2.45, "See Our Fur-lined Gloves and Mitts at Sale Prices. * Underwear Penman's Fleece Underwear at Socks Heavy Wool Socks--regular 25c Sale Price Men's and Young Men's very fine Overcoats--very latest stripes-- Blacks, Oxford Greys, Browns, &c. Regular $15.00 coats, but we have too many. Take your, choice for Joys' Overcoats--all styles at $2.95, 3.45, 3.95, 4.45 to $7.95. ~~ . Suits Men's Suits--new styles, just in last from Fancy Suspenders' at all prices. A very nice present would be a contbination set of suspenders, : : Garters and Armlets, nicely boxed. ces' ranging 8445 to $15.95 Faney Vests put up in nice boxes at 89c,, $1.19, 1.39, 1.95 to 4.95. $4.45 to $15.95 month at Fine Cashmere Hosiery, in Black, Blue, Garnet &c.,--regular 35c. Sale Price Lv v3 " 9: -- "ew ° : A *® & : Ff ® ig we 80 . z # ® gp Ci 3 yo to i, All Christmas Gifts Put Up in Fancy Boxes YOU HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF A LARGE ASSORTMENT AND CUT PRICES. DO YOUR SHOPPING NOW, NO OLD STOCK/TO SHOW YOU. . NO'TRASH. OUR GUARANTEE Ea WT GOES WITH EVERY PURCHASE The Store that Sets the Pace. . g ig i

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