The Review
| VOLUME I, No. 2. | FEBRUARY, 1911 |
| TEN CENTS A COPY. | SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS A YEAR |
These are the months that count. Thisissue of the Review brings notice ofmany bills introduced in various statesfor the betterment of prison conditionsand for the welfare of the prisoner. Letprisoners’ aid societies show duringthese next few months that they canwork for legislation as well as talk, co-operatewith other organizations as wellas criticize, get results as well as get outannual reports. Let us not be discouragedbecause it may often be said that“there is no hope of getting a bill likethat through this year.” Passing a billis only one of the steps in the process ofeducating public sentiment up to the acceptanceof a new idea. Education mustbegin somewhere and sometime. So letus be active in advocating and introducinggood legislation, even though we maynot get all we want in any one year.
We have one of the most importantmessages in the field of practical philanthropy.Americans, particularly in theeastern states, are loth to wear theirhearts upon their sleeves. So we hesitatesometimes perhaps, to emphasize themessage we have. Yet—life is short,and the field is wide. Prisons are stillfar from solving the problems of thedeprivation of liberty, punishment, theprotection of society, the rehabilitationof the criminal, and the reduction ofcrimes.
Therefore, let us not forget the missionarynature of the prisoners’ aid society.But, in spreading far and widethe facts regarding the prisoner and theduty of society in his behalf, let us notfall into the error of being fanatical becauseour field is one of magnitude. Acceptingthe proposition that the greatpublic wants definite and impressive information,not simply emotional enthusiasmor tirade, let us present honestlyand vigorously conditions as they are,and also make constructive suggestionsas to their possible betterment, never forgettingthe many difficulties that prisonadministrators are forced to meet whichare not of their own making.