Most of the company arrived about noon at Sleighton Farm and were soon doing ample justice to a bountiful lunch provided by the efficient helpers of Mrs. Falconer. After an inspection of the buildings and grounds and noting the excellent work of the girls on the Farm and the fifty-acre kitchen garden the company assembled in the commodious audience room to consider the objects of the meeting.
Secretary Votaw called the meeting to order and served thereafter informally as Chairman. He said he was convinced that persons engaged in the same sort of work often were the gainers by comparing their views and experiences. As a teacher he had learned to value the opportunities afforded by the Teachers’ Institutes. Not that he always adopted new methods proposed, for he learned that the personal equation must be considered and that all persons were not adapted to use identical methods. What would succeed with one might result in failure with another. At the same time, there was inspiration and much profit from such conferences. He ventured to say that the county prisons in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania were all diverse in their administration. There was lack of team work. While it was not recommended that all should follow exactly the same form of management, there was undoubtedly much to be gained by comparison of methods and results.
This meeting, however, was called particularly to consider recent legislation. The following letter from Governor Brumbaugh, addressed to E. M. Wistar, President of the Pennsylvania Prison Society, was read:
“Mr. Edward M. Wistar,
Philadelphia, Pa.
My Dear Mr. Wistar:
I have the letter of Mr. Votaw, calling my attention to a meeting to be held at Darlington, Pa., October 4th and 5th.
The purpose of the meeting, as I understand it, is to ascertain in what way recent legislation affecting prison labor may be most practically and effectively applied to conditions in this Commonwealth. I am heartily in favor of the wise employment of the prisoners in our penal institutions, and steadfastly favored and approved all legislation having that end in view.
I consider, therefore, this conference most opportune, and trust that its deliberations may result in practical guidance of great moment to Pennsylvania.
It may be of interest to you to know that we are now planning to utilize such of our prison labor as we can in connection with the Highway Department, not only because we believe this is right as a fundamental principle, but because in this emergency it will release other labor for national service without impairing the road construction program of the Commonwealth.
I wish your convention great success, and beg to be
Very truly yours,