An event of great interest to all students of penology and of far-reaching influence in prison administration all over the world, was the quinquennial meeting of the International Prison Congress, which this year held its sessions in Washington, D. C. This occasion brought together jurists, superintendents of prisons and reformatories, eminent lawyers and philanthropic workers from thirty-four different countries of the world. Ninety delegates were enrolled from foreign countries. Not only were the conclusions of this Congress of importance, but the social intermingling of so many earnest men and women in a common cause had an equal value. The American Prison Congress also held its sessions in Washington, D. C., for two days prior to the opening of the International meeting. It was a notable gathering, and while its proceedings were weighty and not to be overlooked, yet it was somewhat overshadowed by the great interest felt in the International assemblage, as the latter was attended by so many who had already beyond the seas distinguished themselves as students of penological problems, and as practical administrators of prisons.
The Acting Committee deemed the conclusions of the International Prison Congress and the proceedings of the American Prison Congress of such immediate interest and importance as to justify the issue of a supplement to our Journal, which should contain these conclusions and proceedings. In this supplement were included an article by President Baily on the Eastern Penitentiary and the account of the Pennsylvania Prison Society which was prepared by the Secretary for publication in one of the bulletins issued by the International Congress during its sessions. Three thousand copies were printed and distributed.
OBITUARIES.
The deaths of John H. Dillingham and David Sulzberger, both occurring near the same time in early spring, removed two valuable members from your Committee. Appropriate notices of the life and faithful labors of each of these have been prepared and read in our meetings, and it is proposed to publish them in the forthcoming number of our Journal.
Our prayers and sympathy go out to all who have the oversight of those offenders, whom society, for its own protection and for the reformation of the sinner, declares must be debarred from freedom. Upon these officials devolves the duty not only of restraining the criminals within physical bounds, but—what is their chief mission—of implanting in their charges incentives for a change in their attitude in society. They should endeavor to inspire them with some sense of self-confidence and self-respect, so that they may be prepared to face the world with new aims and a spirit of hopefulness. The Pennsylvania Prison Society has from its inception desired to work in harmony with the administrators, and we trust has been comparatively free from the errors of a misdirected zeal. In another year this Society shall have rounded out a century and a quarter of existence. While we may contemplate with a good degree of satisfaction the achievements of past years, we are aware that in some lines progress has been slow, but we trust under Divine guidance to go on with the work with greater zeal and consecration.
On behalf of the Acting Committee,
Albert H. Votaw, Secretary.
January 27, 1911.
TREASURER’S REPORT
John Way, Treasurer,
IN ACCOUNT WITH
The Pennsylvania Prison Society
| General Fund Receipts for the Year 1910 | ||
| To | Balance on hand, December 31, 1909 | $697 50 |
| “ | Members’ Dues | 278 75 |
| “ | Collections by Secretary | 3,253 00 |
| “ | Income from Invested Funds | 1,911 52 |
| “ | Income from I. V. Williamson “Charities” | 561 00 |
| “ | Interest on Deposits | 20 31 |
| “ | Life Membership | 50 00 |
| “ | Proceeds Sale of Bond | 1,032 50 |
| “ | Legacy, Estate of Marianna Gillingham | 805 54 |
| Total Receipts | $8,610 12 | |
| Payments, 1910 | ||
| For | Clothing Discharged Prisoners, Eastern Penitentiary | $2,324 45 |
| “ | Appropriations for Prisoners Discharged from Philadelphia County Prison | 835 00 |
| “ | Salaries | 2,650 00 |
| “ | Expenses on Account of “Journal,” 1910 | 437 20 |
| “ | Expenses Delegates to Prison Congress | 56 72 |
| “ | Sundry Printing and Postage | 249 29 |
| “ | Office Expenses, Incidentals | 148 52 |
| “ | Rent, Janitor Service | 184 00 |
| “ | Capital Moneys Paid to Fiscal Agent for Investment | 855 54 |
| “ | Balance, December 31, 1910 | 869 40 |
| Total | $8,610 12 | |
| Barton Fund | ||
| Balance on hand December 31, 1909 | $193 48 | |
| Income from Investments (net) | 94 66 | |
| Loan to Discharged Prisoner, Returned | 10 25 | |
| Total | $298 39 | |
| Payments | ||
| Tools to Discharged Prisoners | $36 74 | |
| Amount Transferred to Principal Account | 375 10 | |
| $411 84 | ||
| Less Overdraft December 31, 1910 | 113 45 | |
| Balance | $298 39 | |
| Home of Industry Fund | ||
| Balance, December 31, 1909 | $107 80 | |
| Income from Investments (net) | 24 50 | |
| Income from Caroline S. Williams Legacy | 150 85 | |
| Income from H. S. Benson Legacy | 196 00 | |
| Total | $479 15 | |
| Summary of Balances | ||
| General Fund | $869 40 | |
| Home of Industry Fund | 479 15 | |
| $1,348 55 | ||
| Less Overdraft (Barton Fund) | 113 45 | |
| Total Cash on hand December 31, 1910 | $1,235 10 | |