New Jersey State Prison.
Trenton, March 5, 1901.
E. E. Byrum.
Dear Sir: The package of books and tracts which you sent for the benefit of the prisoners in our state prison came duly to hand, and the warden desires me to thank you for your timely gift. I will see that the books and tracts are judiciously distributed, so that good under the divine blessing may come through the reading of such good literature.... I will be glad to have you send religious reading matter for the prisoners, knowing that with His blessing much good can and will be accomplished by such a course. One of the factors leading to a life of crime has been the character of reading allowed in the home. Parents, ignorant or indifferent, have permitted their boys to devour dime novels and kindred literature until their minds have become saturated with evil. Now the antidote is good reading for the poor victims of parental neglect such as you propose to furnish.... Thanking you for the interest you have taken in the welfare of those incarcerated here, and praying the blessing of the Great Head of the church upon you, I am, Yours truly,
——, Chaplain.
MORE GOOD BOOKS DESIRED.
Louisiana Penitentiary.
Baton Rouge, La., March 13, 1901.