THE 
Ma$aclmget;f$ prison J^ociafcion. 
REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS 
AT THE 
THIRD 
Annual Meeting, 
December1 2d, 1832. 
HARVARD PRINlllHG CO. 
1893- Massachusetts Prison Association, 
(Organized December 9, 1889.) 
Office: 1 Pemberton Square, Rooms 10 ancl 11. 
President, Joseph G. Thorp, Jr. 
Taeasurer, Chas. C. Jackson, 
24 Congress Street. 
Vice- Presidents, 
Henry Lee, 
Richard H. Dana, 
Secretary, Warren F. Spalding. 
Rey. Frederick B. Allen, 
E. D. Barbour, 
Rey. Samuel J. Barrows, 
Mrs. Susan H. Bertram, 
Charles W. Birtwell, 
J. Richard Carter, 
Alexander Cochrane, 
Edward Cummings, 
Charles P. Curtis, Jr., 
W. S. Frrz, 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 
Rev. William Elliot Griffis, 
Mrs. Eliza L. Homans, 
Miss Ellen F. Mason, 
Frank Morison, 
Robert Treat Paine, 
Miss Lucy A. Read, 
Joseph G. Thorp, Jr., 
William W. Vaughan, 
Moses Williams. 
Objects of the Association. 
1. To enlighten public opinion concerning the prevention and 
treatment of crime. 
2. Te secure the improvement of penal legislation. 
3. To protect society from habitual criminals. 
4. To befriend the innocent and ignorant under accusation. 
5. To promote the welfare of those placed on probation by 
the courts, and also of the families of prisoners. 
6. To aid released prisoners in living honorably. 
Membership. 
The payment of two dollars constitutes any person a member 
of this Association. The payment of twenty-five dollars at one 
time constitutes a life-member, and the payment of one hundred 
dollars an honorary life-member. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting. 
The third annual meeting of the Massachusetts Prison Association was 
held at Perkins Hall, on Boylston Street, at 3 o’clock P. M. In the absence 
of President Samuel Eliot, the Rev. Frederick B. Allen occupied the chair. 
The following named officers were elected. 
President, Joseph G. Thohp, Jr.; Vice-Presidents, Henry Lee, 
Richard H. Dana; Treasurer, Charles C. Jackson, 24 Congress St., 
Boston; Directors, Joseph G. Tiiorp, Jr., Rev. Frederick B. Allen, 
E. D. Barbour, Rev. Samuel J. Barrows, Mrs. Susan H. Bertram, 
Charles W. Birtwell, J. Richard Carter, Alexander Cochrane, 
Edward Cummings, Charles P. Curtis, Jr., W. S. Fitz, Rev. William 
Elliot Griffis, Mrs. Eliza L. Homans, Miss Ellen F. Mason, Frank 
Morison, Robert Treat Paine, Miss Lucy A. Read, William W. 
Yaughan, Moses Williams. 
THE FINANCES 
The report of the Finance Committee was presented by Charles P. 
Curtis, Jr., as follows: 
The report of the Treasurer, Mr. Charles C. Jackson, shows the re- 
ceipts and expenditures for the year:— 
Cash on hand December 1, 1891, $710 96 
Received fees from annual members 716 00 
“ “ “ life members 325 00 
“ donations 4,012 66 
“ interest 24 17 
Total $5,788 79 
Paid for relief of discharged prisoners $1448 35 
“ *• other expenses 3604 88 
Cash on hand December 1, 1892, 735 56 
Total $5788 79 • 
It will be seen that the receipts have been slightly in excess of the 
expenditures, for the first time in the history of the Association. This has 
been due mainly to the donations, in sums from $25.00 to $100.00. The 
balance on hand at the end of the year is larger by $34.60 than it was a year 
ago. The contributions for the year have provided fairly for the mainten- 
ance of the work, but much more could have been done if they had been 
larger. An equal amount, at least, will be needed for the coming year. 2 
MASSACHUSETTS PRISON ASSOCIATION. 
The salaries and general expenses should be divided among the differ- 
ent branches of the work. Considerably more than half of the labor of the 
year has been expended upon the legislative and educational work, and the 
remainder upon the work of aiding discharged prisoners, securing them 
employment, etc. This includes the investigation of many cases in which 
relief is not given, the applicants being found to be unworthy or not needy. 
The saving to charity funds from this part of the work, is important, but 
not more so than is the discouragement of undeserving men from the pursuit 
of this line of soliciting charity. 
The expenditures for the year have been as follows:— 
Salaries $2,100 00 
Relief of discharged prisoners 1,448 35 
Educational work (meetings and literature) . . . 573 72 
Rent 300 00 
Miscellaneous and office expenses ...... 631 16 
Total $5053 23 
The Association has no endowment. It is dependent upon its mem- 
bership fees and upon donations. By reducing the number of criminals, the 
work of the Association tends to promote the safety of person and property, 
and to decrease pauperism—thereby reducing the burden of the State and 
the demands upon the charitable. 
PROTECTION AND RELIEF. 
The report of the Committee on Protection and Belief was read by the 
Rev. F. B. Allen: — 
The work of aiding discharged prisoners has required even more money 
and time than were given to it in 1891. Though it is mainly local, it is not 
exclusively so, our Association being a State organization. Some of the 
beneficiaries come from prisons in the more remote parts of the State. 
It not infrequently happens that prisoners who are discharged from 
institutions at some distance from Boston are sent here, arriving without 
the price of a single meal, or of a night’s lodging. Some of them have homes 
at a distance from Boston, and must either be sent there, or remain in this 
city dependent upon charity. 
* The discharged prisoner differs from all other needy persons. Ordina- 
rily, the destitute have reached their position by comparatively slow 
processes. They can usually manage to get along for a few days through 
the kindness of neighbors and acquaintances, until their cases can be inves- 
tigated. But the discharged prisoner comes into his destitution in a mo- 
ment. He passes the night in the prison, eats his breakfast in his cell, and 
two or three hours later he is outside the bars, not knowing where his 
dinner is to come from, or where he is to spend the night. MASSACHUSETTS PRISON ASSOCIATION. 
3 
Who can wonder that so many return to a criminal career, and at last 
to the prison again? 
The report of the Commissioners of Prisons for the year ending Sept. 
30th, 1891, shows that the entire expenditure of the county prisons for 
aiding discharged prisoners was but $3,478.28. Almost one-third of this 
was spent by the Middlesex County house of correction at Cambridge. The 
number of discharges from these institutions was 15,101. The average 
expenditure for their assistance was, therefore, less than twenty-five cents 
apiece. As a matter of fact, however, no average can be properly calculated, 
for the money is not divided evenly. The necessities of prisoners are not 
alike, and the amount of assistance to be rendered very properly varies 
widely. Some have homes and friends, and need nothing, some are aided 
as much as they need, but hundreds of them are absolutely homeless and 
friendless, and the amount expended is utterly inadequate to their necessities. 
We are aware of the difficulties in the way in many cases, especially 
those which lie in the habits of the persons who are discharged. To give 
some of these a dollar is to furnish them with the means for dissipation, 
almost certain to be used to their injury. But it would be easy to arrange 
for the expenditure of this relief from public funds in such a way that it 
should benefit the person who was aided,—paying for his lodging and for 
meals for a few days. The Prison Association would gladly undertake to 
do this. 
It may not he out of place to say, here, that we believe that a great 
improvement might be made in the entire system of aiding discharged 
prisoners. The money now bestowed is looked upon by the recipient as 
charity, pure and simple. His aim is to get all he possibly can. He claims 
it as his right. This method pauperizes him. He gets something without 
earning it; without even being required to make the slightest effort. 
There should be substituted for this a system by which the prisoner should 
earn whatever is given to him when he is discharged. It would not be diffi- 
cult to devise a system under which each prisoner could earn a very few 
cents a day for himself, to be reserved for him until the time of his discharge. 
This should be earned by extra work, in addition to that now required. This 
would not overtax him, for no prisoner in any Massachusetts prison does 
so much work that the slight increase needed for this purpose would affect 
him injuriously. , 
This system would appeal to a man’s ambition, and arouse him from 
the indifference and shiftlessness which are the direct result of providing 
the prisoner with everything he needs, of relieving him of all care for his 
support and comfort, and taking away every inducement to exercise any of 
his faculties and abilities. It would tend to destroy his belief that “the 
world”—or the county,—“owes him a living,” (a belief which is fostered by 
everything which he sees and hears as a prisoner,) and would replace it 4 
MASSACHUSETTS PRISON ASSOCIATION. 
with a new theory, that so far as his welfare after his discharge is con- 
cerned, all that the county owes him is the right to an opportunity to earn, 
by hard work, a little money to supply his immediate wants when he shall 
be set at liberty. This system would save money for the tax-payers; would 
help the prisoner financially and in many other ways, and would tend to the 
promotion of good discipline in the prison. It would also lessen the demands 
upon the charitable. 
New York has in its laws a provision under which prisoners in her 
penitentiaries secure a small amount in this way, and the plan of allowing 
prisoners a part of their earnings has also been tried successfully elsewhere. 
It is clear that the public interest demands that some plan shall be devised 
by which the discharged prisoner shall be delivered from the overwhelming 
pressure to enter a career of crime again. 
During the past year our expenditures for relief have amounted to 
$1,448.35. This statement but poorly represents the work done. The 
amount of time required for the investigation of cases is frequently very 
large, and as much time is expended upon cases which prove unworthy, as 
upon those which are found to be deserving. This investigation of the 
cases in which no relief is given is one of the most valuable parts of the 
work. That so many prove to be of this class should emphasize the impor- 
tance of doing all of this work through regularly organized channels. AVe 
have little doubt that as much money is given every year in Boston by 
charitable people to undeserving discharged prisoners, and persons fraudu- 
lently representing themselves to be ex-convicts, as is spent by the Massa- 
chusetts Prison Association for its entire relief work. 
If persons to whom applications of this kind are made, will send the 
applicants to our office, we will gladly expend upon them, if they are found 
to be deserving, such sums as the senders may designate. 
The most important service rendered by the Association is that which 
results in securing work for beneficiaries. Sometimes we do this directly; 
sometimes by caring for them until they are able to find employment for 
themselves; sometimes by furnishing them with tools. When the dis- 
charged prisoner can be helped back into the ranks of the honest producer, 
he is very likely to remain a good citizen. AATe have many cases of this kind 
on our records,—cases which have consumed a great deal of time and many 
of them considerable money. But it is of incalculable value to the commu- 
nity to raise a man from the ranks of the criminal, in which he is a public 
expense and public peril, to self-supporting citizenship. 
We once more bespeak for this part of our work the hearty interest and 
co-operation of the members of the Association and of the public. 
The expenditures for the year have been $1,448.35. This includes 
payment of $121.38 for relief given in 1891. MASSACHUSETTS PRISON ASSOCIATION. 
5 
PUBLICATIONS AND MEETINGS. 
The report of this Committee was read by Mrs. Eliza L. Homans, one 
of its members :— 
The educational work of the Association, conducted under the direction 
of the Committee on Publications and Meetings, has been more extensive 
than it was in the preceding year. It began with the anniversary meeting 
at the Old South Church, Dec. 13. The principal address was by Rev. Fred 
H. Wines. It was heard by a very large audience of influential persons. 
The growing interest in questions relating to crime is shown by the 
increasing demand for their discussion before leading clubs of a social and 
business character. The secretary, together with one or more of the direc- 
tors, has spoken at six meetings of such clubs during the past year. The 
Secretary has also addressed the students of the Newton Theological Semi- 
nary, and those of the St. John Episcopal Seminary, at Cambridge, giving 
one address to the former and three to the latter. He also addressed the 
Cambridge Young Men’s Christian Association. An excellent meeting was 
held in the Piedmont Church, Worcester. 
Meetings have also been held in the Unitarian Church, East Boston, 
and in the Unitarian Church, Dedham. The last named meeting was fol- 
lowed by a parlor meeting at the residence of Sheriff Endicott, of Dedham, 
which resulted in the formation of a local association. In these meetings 
Eev. Messrs. Allen and Barrows and Mr. J. G. Thorp, Jr., have participated. 
Chaplain Barnes, of the State Prison, has kindly rendered similar services, 
to the great advantage of the work. Mr. Edward E. Waite has addressed 
two meetings. We are able to report an increasing interest in this part of 
the work, and an increased willingness to arrange meetings. 
The principal publications of the year have been an edition of five 
thousand copies of “Prison Sunday;” two thousand copies of the report of 
the hearing on the repeal of the law in relation to the punishment of 
drunkenness; the same number of copies of a pamphlet containing the 
address of Mr. Wines at the anniversary meeting and the Forum article of 
the Secretary on the increase of crime. Two thousand copies of a folder, 
entitled, “To or For Prisoners;” and one thousand copies of a folder, 
entitled, “The Brand of Cain,” (with reference to homicide,) have also 
been issued. Fifteen hundred copies of an Order of Service prepared for 
Prison Sunday were also used. 
The literature relative to crime and its treatment is comparatively small, 
and it seems to be a part of the work of the Association to provide what it 
can for those who desire it. There is an increasing demand for information 
on the subject. 
The committee is prepared to furnish speakers for any meetings which 
may be arranged for the consideration of questions relating to crime and 
criminals. 6 
MASSACHUSETTS PRISON ASSOCIATION. 
The expenditures on account of this part of the work, including the 
printing and distribution of literature relating to prison matters, and the 
expenses attending meetings, has been $573.72. 
LEGISLATION. 
The report of the Committee on Legislation need not be a long one, for 
the details of its principal work have already been printed and circulated among 
the members of the Association in the form of a pamphlet of seventy-five 
pages, which contains the history of our defense before the Judiciary Com- 
mittee of the House of Representatives of the law relating to the punish- 
ment of drunkenness, which was formulated under the auspices of this 
Association and put on our statute books largely through its work. 
Mr. J. G. Thorp, Jr,, presented the report of this committee. 
This law was bitterly and unfairly attacked, and its repeal urged, last, 
winter by Mr. Henry H. Faxon. To meet this attack, and also to satisfy 
ourselves as to its working, your Committee secured a large amount of valu- 
able evidence from all over the State. It was presented to the Judiciary 
Committee at hearings which took up three full days of its time. The 
immediate result of this work was the complete defeat of the attempted 
repeal; but a further and most excellent result was a mass of valuable 
evidence, showing the admirable working of the law wherever it was well 
administered, which has confirmed this Committee’s belief in the wisdom of 
its general provisions. The testimony of twenty of the principal District 
and Police Judges of the state, those whose duty it is to deal with nearly, if 
not quite, 75 per cent, of the cases of drunkenness appearing before the 
courts of the state, was presented, and was most favorable testimony to the 
improvement of the new over the old system. 
The excellent character of our new probation officers, and the good 
results of their work, were gratifyingly shown by the appearance and test 
imony of the large number who were heard from. Most of the opposition to 
the law was based on what was clearly a misunderstanding of its meaning 
and intent, and whatever evidence of importance was introduced against the 
law, merely proved the gross maladministration of its provisions. One of 
the results which we hoped for from the hearings was a clearer understand- 
ing of the law. To further this result our Association published a full 
report of them, and put the publication into the hands of all the officers in 
the state whose duty it is to administer the law. 
The Committee do not wish it to be understood that they believe the 
the law in its present form to be perfect, or that the results of its administra- 
tion are wholly satisfactory. Suggestions of changes in detail which might 
improve the law were made by several of the judges and other witnesses, 
but it was not deemed wise to urge them last winter, after so short a trial of 
its provisions, and when the attack was an indiscriminating raid upon the 
whole law, and not an intelligent or friendly criticism of its details. MASSACHUSETTS PRISON ASSOCIATION. 
7 
The most unsatisfactory results have come from the police administra- 
tion of their power to release men at the stations. Whether this power 
should not be further restricted, or made wholly subject to the decision of 
the courts, will be a question of importance to be decided next year. The 
inadequacy and inequality of sentences under this law, which leaves all to 
the discretion of the judges, is another serious matter. In the “ Final 
Beport of the Special Committee Appointed by the Mayor to Inspect the 
Public Institutions of Boston,” on pages 15 and 16, referring to the 
inadequacy of sentences under the law, the Committee say: 
‘‘The announced intention of this law was that occasional drunkards 
should be placed on probation, while ‘ habitual drunkards ’ should receive 
the maximum sentence. But how little the intention of the law, as regards 
the length of sentences, has been carried out, is shown by the fact that in 
but 41 cases, out of the whole 8,866 commitments for all offences, was a 
sentence of one year imposed, and one-half of the total number in prison on 
April 21, 1892, were serving sentences for four months or less. Assuming 
that the proportion of ‘habitual drunkards ’ remained the same after the new 
law as before, it is clear that most of the ‘ old rounders ’ receive only a three 
or four months’ sentence.” 
But as unsatisfactory as this statement shows the working of the law to 
be in this respect, it is much better than the results under the old system of 
fines, when the habitual drunkards were being constantly sent to prison 
for thirty days only for non-payment of fine. 
The difficulty of inequality of sentence is one which arises from the 
different views taken by the several judges of the seriousness of the 
offence of drunkenness. It has always existed, and probably always 
will exist until the principle of the indeterminate sentence, together with the 
proper power to release prisoners on parole, can be applied. The application 
of this principle should be sought at once. It would seem to be as readily 
applicable in the case of the misdemeanant as in that of the more serious 
offender, for whom it has been successfully adopted in different places. 
The power to release prisoners before the expiration of sentence, which 
is now exercised by boards outside the prisons, who are in no way respons. 
ible for the conduct or discipline of the institutions, and who can know 
little or nothing of the prisoner’s character or conduct — a power which we 
know is often exercised in this state merely to make more room for new 
comers — is demoralizing, and should not exist. Legislation to cure this 
evil should be sought for. 
These defects can readily be seen. It is easy to suggest the necessity 
for change; but it will be difficult to secure the necessary legislation. Such 
legislation is, however, in the opinion of your Committee, of the utmost 
importance, and to secure it is an object of the long-continued and hard 
work of this Association. 
In a few weeks we shall get the statistics of the workings of the drunk 
law during the past year, when we can see its merits and defects even better 8 
MASSACHUSETTS PRISON ASSOCIATION. 
than now. We are anxiously watching its operation, and shall not be 
slow to suggest the necessary modifications. 
In addition to this law. and as a necessary sequel to it, we secured the 
passage of a bill giving trial justices jurisdiction of cases arising under it, 
and another giving country officers their fees for arresting drunkards, though 
they were afterwards released without being brought into court. 
A special Committee of your Association, by means of a carefully pre- 
pared list of questions, was able to secure information on the management 
of the more important correctional institutions throughout the country* 
which was of much practical value to the special committee appointed by 
Mayor Matthews to inspect the public institutions of Boston. 
Another very important piece of legislation was the result of the hard 
and intelligent work of our Secretary and one of our Directors, Mr. Charles 
W. Birtwell. They were able to secure a modification of the bill authorizing 
a large loan for the erection of a truant school in MiddlesexCounty, so that 
small schools are to be erected in different places in the County, instead of 
one large institution. This was a most important piece of work, and we 
hope it will prove to be an object lesson to other counties proposing to build 
similar institutions. 
Many other matters which need to be remedied by legislation can 
only be suggested at this time by your Committee, but some of them 
involve very important questions. The very serious fact confronts us that 
in our prisons there are many young boys, sent there for minor offences, who 
should never see the inside of a prison. The further use and development 
of our probation system seems to he the natural remedy for this evil, a 
remedy which can be applied by the courts, hut which, if is not so applied, 
may have to be enforced through legislation. It would seem as if schools or 
industrial training of some sort could be properly introduced into many of 
our county prisons. This may be a subject for legislation. The experience 
of New York has shown that some system which enables a person to earn 
something from his prison work which will give him a start on his release is 
a good thing. We may find it desirable to urge this change upon our 
legislators. 
But as to all these points, your Committee has merely mentioned them at 
this time to indicate that there is plenty of important lesiglative work for 
our Association to undertake. 
The following resolution, offered by Mr. Eobert Treat Paine, was unani- 
mously adopted : 
Beso Ived, That the Association desires to place upon record its high 
appreciation of the services of the retiring president, Dr. Samuel Eliot. 
Notice was given of the anniversary meeting to be held Dec. 18 in the 
Mt. Yernon Church, after which the meeting adjourned. List of Honorary Life Members. 
A person may become an Honorary Life Member by the payment of 
one hundred dollars at one time. 
Barbour, E. D., 
Chadwick, Mrs. Louisa, 
Eldridge, Mrs. Elizabeth T., 
Fitz, W. Scott, 
Gardner, John L., 
Hemenway, Mrs. Mary, 
Homans, Mrs. Eliza L., 
Jackson, Charles C., 
Lee, Henry, 
Mason, Miss Ellen F., 
Mason, Miss Ida M., 
Shaw, Mrs. Pauline A., 
Warren Samuel D., 
Waters, Mrs. Clara E. Clement. 
List of Life Members. 
A person may become a life member by the payment of twenty-five 
dollars at one time. 
Appleton, Dr. William, 
Appleton, Mrs. William, 
Barbour, Mrs. Mary T., 
Barbour, Miss M. E. 
Barrows, Rev. S. J., 
Bertram, Mrs. Susan H., 
Bigelow, Fanny C. 
Bigelow, Dr. William Sturgis, 
Billings, Robert C., 
Bowditch, Miss Charlotte, 
Bremer, John L., 
Brigham, Hon. Lincoln F., 
Brooks, Mrs. Clara G., 
Brooks, Mrs. Sarah G., 
Brooks, James W., 
Brooks, Miss M. W., 
Browne, T. Quincy, 
Bullard, W. S., 
Byrne, Rev. William (V. G.) 
Cabot, Walter C., 
Cabot, Edward C. 
Caleb, Benj. S., 
Carter, Franklin, 
Carter, J. Richard, 
Clark, Benjamin C., 
Clement, Miss Hope, 
Cochrane, Alexander, 
Colburn, Mrs. Frances E. 
Coolidge, T. Jefferson, 
Cunningham, Mrs. Frederic, Jr., 
Curtis, Charles P., 
Davenport, A. H., 
Delano, Julia, 
Eaton, William S., 
Eliot, Samuel, 
Endicott, William, Jr., 
Faulkner, George, 
Fay, Joseph Story, 
Fay, Mrs. R. S., 
Fay, Miss Sarah B., 
Fitz, Mrs. W. Scott, 
Forbes, J. Malcolm, 
Ford, Daniel S., 
Frothingham, Rev. O. B., 
Head, Charles, 
Hemenway, Augustus, 
Hicks, Mrs. Mary D. 
Hooper, Edward W., 
Howe, G. D., 
Jaqubs, Helen L., 
Johnson, Henry A., 
King, Franklin, 
Kennedy, G. G., 
Lane, Hon. Jonathan A., 
Lawrence, Rev. Arthur, 
Lawson, Rev. Albert G., 
Lee, Joseph, 
Lincoln, William H., 
Longfellow, Miss Alice M., 
Loring, William Caleb, 
Lowell, Anna C., 
Lowell, Miss Lucy, 
Lyman, Arthur T., 
May, Miss Josephine, 
Meriam, Mrs. Joanna L., 
Merriman, Rey. Daniel, 
Merriman, Mrs. Helen, 
Minot, Dr. Francis, 
Minot, Mrs. Wm., Jr., 
Mixtbr, Miss Madeline C., 
Morison, Frank, 
Morison, M's. Leslie M., 
Morse, Miss Frances R., 
Niles, Thomas, 
Norman, G. H., 
Peabody, Rev. Dr. A. P., 
Peabody, Oliver W., 
Phillips, Mrs. John C., Jr., 
Richards, Henry C., 
Richardson, William L., 
Robeson, William R., 
Rotch, Mrs. William J., 
Sears, Fred R., 
Shattuck, Dr. Geo. C., 
Skinner, Eliza B , 
Smith, Mrs. Anne E., 
Stetson, Amos W., 
Sunday School of Unitarian Society, Newton 
Centre, 
Thayer, Mrs. Nathaniel, 
Wales, Miss Mary Ann, 
Walker, Hon. George W., 
Ware, Mrs. Charles E., 
Warren, Mrs. S. D., 
Warren, Mrs. Rebecca B., 
Waters, E. F., 
Whitman, Mrs. Sarah W., 
Williams, Mrs Anna Phillips, 
Wolcott, Mrs. J. Huntington 
Wood, Frank. 10 
MASSACHUSETTS PRISON ASSOCIATION. 
List of Members and Donors. 
The payment of two dollars constitutes any person a member of the 
Association. 
Following- is a list of members and donors during- the year ending 
December 1,1892. The amounts opposite the several names, when 
more than two dollars, are usually inclusive of the membership 
fees, though some represent donations from persons who 
are not members. 
Abbott, Je 1 e $500 
Adams, Chas. F 25 00 
Adams, J. Q 25 00 
Adams, Miss Mary Lee 2 00 
Albee, Sumner 2 00 
Allen, Joseph H 4 00 
Allen, Rev. Fred’k B 5 00 
Allen, Willis B 5 oq 
Ames, Prof. James Barr 2 00 
Ames, Mrs. Sarah R 10 00 
Amory, Rev. Augustine H 2 00 
Amory, C. W 25 00 
Appleton, Dr. William 25 00 
Appleton, Mrs. William 25 00 
Association Meeting Unitarian Church, 
Dedham 17 50 
Atkinson, George 2 00 
Austin, Mrs. W. H. M 2 00 
Bacon, Mrs. Louisa C 3 00 
Bailey, Mrs. Ellen H 2 00 
Baker, S. J 4 00 
Balch, Miss Emily L 2 00 
Baldwin, William H 2 00 
Banfield, Edith C 4 00 
Barbour, E. D 25 00 
Barnard, Mrs. Mary C. E 4 00 
Barrows, Mrs. Isabel C 18 00 
Bascom, Rev. John 2 00 
Batt, Charles R 2 00 
Batt, Rev. William J 2 00 
Baxter, Thompson 5 00 
Beal, Thomas P 10 00 
Beals, Mrs. James H 2 00 
Beebe, E. Pierson 2 00 
Beebe, J. Arthur 25 00 
Bell, Dr. James B 2 00 
Benedict, W. L 2 00 
Bigelow, A. S 25 00 
Bigelow, Mrs. Mary A 2 00 
Bigelow, Mrs S. A 2 00 
Bigelow, Dr. William 25 00 
Billings, Robert C 10 00 
Birtwell, C. W 2 00 
Black, George N 25 00 
Blake,Mrs. George Baty... 5 00 
Bliss, William 25 00 
Bolster, S. A 5 00 
Botsford, C. B 2 00 
Bowditch, Chas. P 25 00 
Bradford, Martin L 2 00 
Bradlee, Rev. C. D 2 00 
Bradlee, Miss Helen C 20 00 
Bremer, John L $25 00 
Brewer, Miss Adele 2 00 
Brewster, William 4 00 
Brimmer, Martin too 00 
Brooks, Mrs. Clara G 25 00 
Brooks, Edward 25 00 
Brooks, Mrs. Francis 12 00 
Brown, J. G 2 00 
Brown, T. Quincy 25 00 
Brown, William H 2 00 
Browne, Addison 2 00 
Buckingham, Rev. E 5 00 
Bullard, Mrs. Stephen H 2 00 
Burditt, Chas. A 2 00 
Butler, Miss Rosalie ... 5 00 
Byington, Miss Alice 2 00 
Cabot, J. Elliot 2 00 
Cabot John H 5 00 
Cabot, Mrs. Mary E 2 00 
Caldwell, Miss Charlotte E 2 00 
Caldwell, Miss Louise W 2 00 
Callender, Miss Caroline 2 00 
Callender, Mrs. Henry 2 00 
Capen, Samuel B 2 00 
Carter, J. Richard 25 00 
Carter, John W 25 00 
Carruth, Miss Ellen 5 00 
Cary, Miss Emma F 7 50 
Chapin, Miss Mabel H 2 00 
Chase, Dr. I. E 2 00 
Chase, Mrs. J. B 2 00 
Cheney, Mrs. Arthur 2 00 
Cheney. Mrs. Ednah D 2 00 
Childs, Prof. F. J ■ • 5 00 
Clark, Chester W 2 00 
Clarke, Mrs. James Freeman 2 00 
Clifford, Chas. W 5 00 
Cobb, Bates & Yerxa 25 00 
Cochrane, Alex 25 00 
Codman, Chas. R 5 00 
Codman, Mrs. Chas. R 10 00 
Coe, Miss Mary Alma ' 2 00 
Coit, Rev. Joshua 3 00 
Collamore, Mrs. Helen 2 00 
Coolidge, A. C.... 5 00 
Coolidge, Mrs. J. T., Jr 2 00 
Coolidge, T. Jefferson 25 00 
Collins, Mrs. Elizabeth C ... 2 00 
Congegational Church, Clinton 5 50 
Congregational Church, Hingham.... 2 05 
Congregational Church, Middleton.... 3 25 
Cotting, C. U 25 00 MASSACHUSETTS PRISON ASSOCIATION, 
11 
Crafts, Clemence H $20 00 
Crapo, Hon. Wm. W 5 00 
Crehore, Mrs. G. C 5 00 
Crocker, Hon. George G 25 00 
Crocker, Mrs. M. C 2 00 
Cross, Prof. Chas. R 2 00 
Cross, Dr. H. B 5 00 
Cunningham, Mrs. F 5 00 
Curtis, Mrs. B. R 2 00 
Curtis, Chas. P... 25 00 
Curtis, Chas. P., Jr 25 00 
Curtis, Greely S ; 50 00 
Curtis, H. G 25 00 
Curtis, Miss M. W 10 00 
Cushing, Dr. Benj 5 00 
Cushing, Robert M 2 00 
Cutler, Wm. J 5 00 
Dabney, Miss O. F 2 00 
Damon, Edw. C — 4 00 
Damon, Mrs. Anne C 5 00 
Dana, Mrs. Edith L 15 00 
Dana, Mrs. Maiy H 2 00 
Dana, Sam’l B 5 00 
Dawson, Capt. Henry 2 00 
Day, Lewis 2 00 
Denison, J. N 25 00 
Denny, Hon. C. A 2 00 
Derby, Di. H 2 00 
Derby, Mrs. H 4 00 
Dexter, Chas. W 2 00 
Dexter, Mrs. Sarah E 2 00 
Dexter, Mrs. S. Parkman 2 00 
Ditson, Mrs. Oliver 2 00 
Dixwell, E. S 2 00 
Dodge, Miss H. P 2 00 
Doherty, Wm. W 10 00 
Douglass, R. S 5 00 
Dow, Miss Lucia A 4 00 
Drew, William R 2 00 
Drummond, Mrs. James 4 00 
Dwight, Edmund 25 00 
Eaton, Wm. S 25 00 
Edmands, Col. T. S 2 00 
Egbert, Rev. John L 5 00 
Eliot, Rev. Christopher R 2 00 
Eliot, Samuel 2500 
Elliott, Dr. James P 2 00 
Elliot, Mrs. J. W 5 00 
Endicott, Henry 5 00 
Endicott, Wm., Jr 50 00 
Evans, Mrs. E. Glendower 8 75 
Everett, Prof. C. C 2 00 
Fabens, Mrs. Caroline H 4 00 
Fairbanks, Chas. F.... 5 00 
Fairchild, Mrs. C 2 00 
Fallon, Hon. Joseph D 2 00 
Farnham, F. A 2 00 
Farwell, William E 2 00 
Fay, Joseph S 25 00 
Fay, J. S. Jr., 25 00 
Fay, Mrs. Sarah B 50 00 
Feilowes, Miss Charlotte 4 00 
Fenno, J. Brooks 5 00 
Fields, Mrs. Jas. T 2 00 
hirst Universalist Church, Somerville. 12 oq 
Fish, Kev. Wm. H., Jr 2 00 
Fish, Mrs. Mary G 7 00 
Fiske, J. N 25 00 
Fitz, W. S $25 00 
Folsom, Dr. Chas. F 2 00 
Folsom, Mrs. Martha W. 2 00 
Forbes, J. Malcom 5° 00 
Forbes, Wm. H 25 00 
Fowler, Wm. P 2 00 
Freeman, Miss Harriet E 5 00 
Frothingham, Lillian 2 00 
Frothingham, Paul R 2 00 
♦Frothingham, Rev. O. B 25 00 
Fuller, Miss Eliza W 2 00 
Fuller, Miss Mary S 2 00 
Gaffield, Thomas 5 00 
Galvin. John 2 00 
Gardiner, Robert H 2 00 
Gardner, George A 25 00 
Gardner, John L 25 00 
Garrison, Francis J 2 00 
Gilman, Hon. Gorham D 2 00 
Girdwood, Miss Jessie 2 00 
Glover, Henry R 2 00 
Glover, Joseph B 12 00 
Gove, William H 2 00 
Grace Union Ch., No. Wilbraham... 208 
Gray, Mrs. F. T 2 00 
Gray, Miss Harriet 2 00 
Greenougb, C. S 2 00 
Greenough, Mrs. Wm. W 7 00 
Greenough, William W 2 00 
Grew, Henry S 28 00 
Grover, William O 75 00 
Hale, George S 2 00 
Hall, Mrs. Nathaniel 2 00 
Hall, Rev. E. H 500 
Hammond, Mrs- Lillie B 25 00 
Hardwick, B. C 5 00 
Harmon, Rev. Elijah 5 00 
Haskell, E B 5 00 
Haskins, Miss Grace F , Treasurer.. . 3 00 
Hawkes, Levi 1 00 
Haynes, Henry W 2 00 
Hecht, Jacob H 5 00 
Hemenway, Augustus 25 00 
Hemenway, Mrs. Chas. P 5 00 
Hemenway, Mrs. Hariett L 10 00 
Hemenway, Mrs. Mary 2 00 
Higginson, Mrs. H. L 25 00 
Higginson, H. L 25 00 
Higginson, Waldo 5 00 
Hincks, Prof. Edward Y 2 00 
Hitchcock, Rev. M, H 2 00 
Hoague, Mrs. I T 2 00 
Hodgkins, Hon. W. H 5 00 
Holbrook, Mrs. Eliza F 2 00 
Holland, Miss Frances 5 00 
Hollander, T. C 12 00 
Hooper, Robert C 12 00 
Hooper, Mrs. Robert C 5 00 
Horace, Miss Ellen J 2 00 
Houghton, Hon. H. 0 2 00 
Howes, Mrs. Abby 2 00 
Hubbell, John H 6 00 
Hudson, John E 10 00 
Humphreys, Richard C 2 00 
Humphreys, Henry 2 00 
Humphreys, Mrs. Anna 2 o<3 
Hunneweil, H. H 50 00 
Hunnewell, Mrs. Jas. F 2 00 12 
MASSACHUSETTS PRISON ASSOCIATION. 
Hutchins, J. H $200 
Jackson, C. C 102 00 
Jackson, Mrs. Chas. C 2 00 
Jackson. Miss M. C 200 
lames, George Abbot 200 
Jaques, Henry P 5 00 
Johnson, Miss Abby H 2 00 
Johnson, Edward 5 00 
Johnson, Hon. George W 2 00 
Johnson, Mrs. M. E 2 00 
Johnson, Samuel 1000 
Jones, B. M 10 00 
Jordan, Mrs. Julia M 1000 
Kehew, Mrs. W. B 2 00 
Kellogg, P. P 5 00 
Kendrick, Mrs. Ida B 5 00 
Kennedy, Miss Louise 12 00 
Kent, B. F 2 00 
Kimball, Mrs. Hannah P 7 00 
King, D. Webster : 2 00 
Kittredge, Mrs. W. P 2 00 
♦Lane, Hon. Jonathan A 25 00 
Lawrence, Mrs. A. A 10 00 
Lawrence, Miss Gertrude G 2 00 
Lawrence, Miss Harriette S 200 
Lawrence, Mrs. Lucy W 2 00 
Lawrence, Mrs. Maria 200 
Leavitt, Caroline 2 00 
Leavitt, Miss Martha W 4 00 
Lee, Col. Henry 100 00 
Lee, John C 7 00 
♦Lee, Joseph 25 00 
Leverett, George V 5 00 
Lincoln, A. N 2 00 
Lincoln, William H 25 00 
Lodge, Hon. Henry Cabot 25 00 
Loring, A. P 5 00 
Loring, Mrs. Anna P 10 00 
Loring, Miss Abby R 2 00 
Loring, Caleb Wm 7 00 
Loring, Miss Helen 10 00 
Loring, Miss Katherine P 2 00 
Loring, Miss Miriam P 10 00 
Loring, William Caleb 10 00 
Lothrop, F. J 5 00 
Lowell, Miss Anna C 23 00 
Lowell, Augustus 25 00 
Lyman, Arthur T 25 00 
Lynch, Miss Katie W 2 00 
Lynn, Rev. C. B 2 00 
Lyon, Rev. W. H 200 
Marion, Mrs. Catherine L 2 00 
Marion, Dr. Horace E 2 00 
Mason, Miss Ellen F 100 00 
Mason, Miss Ida M 100 00 
Mason, Mortimer B 10 00 ■ 
Mathews, Rev. S. Sherberne 2 00 
May, John J 2 00 
Mayberry, Mrs. A. L 2 00 
Merrill, Gyles 2 00 
Meyer, Geo. v. L 25 00 
Minot, Mrs. Chas. H 2 00 
♦Minot, Dr. Francis 25 00 
♦Minot, Mrs. Wm. Jr 25 00 
Montgomery, William 2 00 
Morgan, Chas. R 2 00 
Morrill, Chas. J : 25 00 
♦Morison, Frank 25 00 
Morse, Chas. N $2 00 
♦Morse, Miss Frances R.... 25 00 
Morse, Mrs. Harriet J 5 00 
Morse, Leopold 10 00 
McCleery, William 2 00 
McKenzie, Rev. Alex 2 00 
Nickerson, Miss Isabel J 3 00 
♦Niles, Thomas 50 00 
Noyes, Rev. Chas 2 00 
O’Leary, Mrs. Annie W 2 00 
Olmstead, Rev. Chas 2 00 
Page, Calvin G 5 00 
Paine, Robert Treat 100 00 
Palfrey, Miss 5 00 
Parker, Mrs. Charles H 2 00 
Parker, Chas. W 25 00 
Parker, Miss Sarah 2 00 
Parkman, Miss Eliza W. S 5 00 
Payson, E. H 5 00 
Peabody, F. H 12 00 
Peabody, S. E 25 00 
Peloubet, Rev. F. N 2 00 
Perkins, Edward C 5 00 
Perry, Rev. L. E 1 50 
Peters, Edward D 5 00 
Phillips, Mrs. Anna T 25 00 
Pickering, Mrs. Mary G.... 2000 
Pickman, D. L 25 00 
Piedmont Church, Worcester... 15 06 
Pierce, Hon. Henry L 50 00 
Pike, Rev. John 2 00 
Pillsbury, Prof. J. H 2 00 
Pingree, David 2 00 
Poor, Mrs. Henry V 2 00 
Pope, Col. A. A 25 00 
Pope, Mrs. Albert A 25 00 
Porter, Herbert 2 00 
Potter, Mrs. W. B 10 00 
Prince, F. H 25 00 
Pullman, Rev. J. M 2 00 
Putnam, Dr. Chas. P 5 00 
Putnam, Mrs. Georgina L 5 00 
Putnam, Webster F 2 00 
Quincy, Miss Abby P 5 00 
Quincy, George H 5 00 
Quincy, Dr. H. P 2 00 
Quincy, Miss Mary 2 00 
Reed, Rev. James 5 00 
Richardson, Spencer W 5 00 
Roberts, George B 2 50 
Roberts, William 12 00 
♦Robeson, Wm. R 27 00 
Robinson, Hon. George D 2 00 
Rodman, S. W 2 00 
Rogers, Mrs. Emma 12 00 
Rogers, Jacob C 25 00 
Ruggles, Mrs. T E 2 00 
Russ, Aug., Estate of 2 00 
Russell, Mrs. Robt. Shaw 5 00 
Russell, Samuel H 2 00 
Ryder, Prof. W. H 2 00 
Saltonstall, Hon. Leverett 3 00 
Saltonstall, Robert 10 00 
Saltonstall, Mrs. Rose L 2 00 
Sampson, A. N .. 2 00 
Sawyer, Mrs. Joseph 2 00 
Schlesinger, B 30 00 
Scudder, Samuel H 2 00 13 
MASSACHUSETTS PRISON ASSOCIATION. 
Sears, Francis B $5 00 
Sears, Fred R 25 00 
Sears, Herbert M 5 00 
Seelye, L. Clark ..; 2 00 
Shannon, Miss Mary 7 00 
Sharp, E. H 5 00 
♦Shattuck, Dr. Geo. C 25 00 
Shaw, Mrs. G. R 2 00 
Shaw, Rev. Geo. S 2 00 
Shaw, Mrs. J. H 5 00 
Shaw, Miss Susan C 2 00 
Shuman, A 25 00 
Sigourney, Henry 2 00 
Simpkins, Miss M. W 2 00 
Skinner, Mrs. Eliza B 25 00 
Smith, Mrs. Harriet 3 00 
Smith, Miss Zilpha D 2 00 
Solger, Miss. L. M 2 00 
Spalding, W. F 2 00 
Spalding, Rev. Albert D 1 00 
Sprague, F. P 5 00 
Staples, C. A 2 00 
Stearns, Hon. George M 2 00 
Stebbins, Roderick 2 00 
♦Stetson, Amos W 35 00 
Stevens, Miss Alice B 2 00 
Stevens, Mrs. E. P 4 00 
Stevenson, Miss Annie B 2 00 
Stevenson, Miss Frances G 20° 
Stevenson, Miss Martha B 2 00 
Stewart, J B 2 00 
Stone, James S 5 00 
Stone, Mrs. F 15 00 
Storey, Moorfield 2 00 
Storrow,Jas. J., Jr 5 00 
Stover, John H 2 00 
Strong, Rev. Edward 2 00 
Strong, Mrs. Harriet S 2 00 
Sullivan, Richard 3 00 
♦Sunday School of Unitarian Society, 
Newton Centre 25 00 
Suter, Rev. John 2 00 
Swain, Jos. S 2 00 
Swan, Mrs. S. H 2 00 
Sweetser, J. 2 00 
Sweetser, J. Homer 5 00 
Temple, Rev. W. H. G 2 00 
Thayer, Bayard 25 00 
Thayer, E. V. R 25 00 
Thayer, John E 25 00 
Thayer, Nath’l 25 00 
Thayer, Mrs. N., Sr 25 00 
Thayer, Rev. Wm. M 2 00 
Thomas, Jos. B 25 00 
Thomas, W. B 25 00 
Thorp, J. G , Jr 25 00 
Thwing, Walter E 2 00 
Tobey, Rev. Rufus S $2 00 
Todd, Thomas 2 00 
Tolman, James P 3 00 
Tolman, Mrs. Mary C.. 2 00 
Toy, Prof. C. H 3 00 
Trask, Rev. J. L. R 2 00 
Tucker, George F 2 00 
Tunis, Rev. John 2 00 
Vaughan, Chas E 2 00 
VonBlomberg, Miss Eva 5 00 
Wadsworth, Dr. O. F 2 00 
Waitt, Andrew S 10 00 
Wainwright, Miss R. P 5 00 
*Wales, Miss Mary Ann 25 00 
Walker, Gen.Francis A 5 00 
Ware, Mrs. Elizabeth 25 00 
Ware, H. E 2 00 
Ware, Mrs. Mary L 12 00 
Warner, C. H 5 00 
Warren, Mrs. S. D 10 00 
Warren, Mrs. Susan C 25 00 
Washburn, Rev. Alfred F 2 00 
Weiss, Miss A. Lora 2 00 
Weiss, Mrs. Mary C 2 00 
W eld, Moses W 5 00 
Wentworth, Mrs. E. Marion 2 00 
Whaley, Mrs. S. D 1 00 
Wheelwright, Edward 10 00 
White, Mrs. Eliza Orne 2 00 
Whitman, Edmund A 2 00 
Whitney, M. B 2 00 
M igglesworth, Mrs. E 5 00 
Wigglesworth, George 10 00 
Wigglesworth, Thos 5 00 
Willcox, Rev. W. H 5 00 
Willcox, Mrs. W. H 5 00 
Williams, Mrs. Mary L 2 00 
Williams, Moses 25 00 
Wingate, Mrs. Chas 2 00 
Winkley, Rev. S. H 2 00 
Winthrop, Hon. Robert C 12 00 
Wolcott, Mrs. H. L. T 5 00 
Wolcott, Mrs. J. H 25 00 
Wolcott, Hon. Roger 25 00 
Wood, Mrs. Frank. 2 00 
Wood, Robert M 2 00 
Wood, Rev. S. G 2 00 
Woodman, Miss Mary 1 10 oa 
Worcester, Rev. John 5 00 
Wright, Prof. John H 2 00 
♦Life membership fee. 
Form of Bequest. 
The Massachusetts Prison Association is an incorporated body, and 
may receive property left to it by will. The following form of bequest is 
suggested to any who may desire to leave property to the Associaton:— 
I give and bequeath to the Massachusetts Prison Association 
the sum of -dollars, to be applied to the uses and purposes of the 
Corporation, under the direction of its Board of Directors. RESULTS OF RELIEF WORK. 
The value of the relief wrork of the Association is illustrated by the inci- 
dents related below, culled at random from scores like them. 
Nearly two years ago a young man who had been out of the State Prison 
for about six months, called at the office for aid. He wras known to have 
made a hard struggle for a correct life, but circumstances were adverse. 
He came from the slums. His father was dead; his mother was very poor, 
and lived in very bad surroundings. Before he was sent to the State Prison 
he had served a sentence of three years in the house of correction. He said 
he had the promise of work in a town a hundred miles away, but had no 
means of getting there. The gentleman who promised him employment 
was seen, and said that the man told the truth. The Association paid his 
fare, and furnished him a little clothing. He has stayed away from Boston, 
has worked steadily; has supported himself and lived correctly. But for 
the aid given him by the Association he would have remained in Boston, 
and would probably have fallen into crime again. 
A man of thirty-five, having a wife and two children, discharged from 
prison in midwinter, sought assistance. He was a good mechanic, but 
could get no work. He was aided a little, and employment for a few days 
was found for him. This carried him along until he obtained a situation at 
his trade. At last accounts he was doing well. 
A young foreigner, who had learned a trade in the Reformatory, needed 
work in order to secure his discharge, which he had earned. He had not a 
friend in the country. We secured employment for him, telling his 
employer all the facts of his case. He has worked faithfully and satisfac- 
torily in the same place for months, supporting himself. The expenditure 
on his account was but a few dollars. 
Two or three years ago a young fellow—hardly more than a boy — ran 
away from a good home in a distant state, determined “to see the world.” 
He found employment in Boston, but fell in with a thoroughly bad fellow 
employee, who was experienced in crime. He began by stealing things of 
trifling value. Evading detection, he yieded to the solicitation of his associ- 
ate, and stole articles of importance. The expert thief escaped detection. 
The boy whom he had led into crime was caught, and served his sentence in 
a county prison. His father had learned of his fall, and was ready to 
receive him home again, as we learned by corresponding with him. But 
the boy preferred to try to earn an honest living here. He did so for many 
months, but after a while, being thrown out of employment, went home to his father. Only a few dollars were spent on him, but much time was given 
to the case. The boy realized that he had a friend to whom he could go for 
advice — some one who was interested in him. 4 letter recently received 
from him tells of his safe arrival at home. 
MASSACHUSETTS PKISON ASSOCIATION. 
15 
Eighteen months ago a young man was discharged from prison without 
a dollar. He had an excellent education; wrote a good hand; was gentle- 
manly, obliging, willing to work. He had drifted away from a first-rate 
home in another State, had learned to drink, and while intoxicated had 
committed the crime for wdiich he was sentenced —the first ever committed 
by him. He could not find work in Boston, and the Association sent him 
home. His parents, to whom he had been lost for two years, welcomed him 
home. Within a few weeks a letter has been received from him. He was 
continuing to do right, and earning an honest living. 
A prominent citizen of Boston died a few years ago, leaving an only son. 
He had many friends, and good prospects. But he drank himself out of 
every position, and at length became a vagrant, and was sent to prison as 
such. When he came out all his old friends turned away from him. He 
had lost his ambition and his courage. He could only be kept from settling 
into the permanent pauper or criminal class by a great effort. That effort 
was made for him. It cost some money and a great deal of time, but it was 
successful at last. He will never be what he might have been, for his 
manner of life has broken him in every way, but he is now self-supporting 
and sober. 
Not infrequently the friends—even the nearest relatives—will cast off a 
man who goes astray, and allow him to go to destruction without lifting a 
finger to prevent. Sometimes this is done after a single wrong act; some, 
times after repeated lapses. A young man who had been treated in this way 
by his father, because of the disgrace which he had brought upon the family 
name, came from prison for the first time to find every avenue to a better 
life seemingly closed against him. His wife had stood by him through his 
imprisonment, taking care of herself by hard work. He could not find em- 
ployment. In a few days his money was gone. His wife was in poor health, 
and out of work. The Association helped them, providing them shelter and 
food until he obtained employment. A little work was found for him, and 
in a few weeks he had regular employment. He had a strong appetite for 
drink, and but for the encouragement given to him he would probably have 
yielded to his temptation, and broken down. If he had committed a second 
offence, he would probably have fallen into the criminal class permanently. 
The aid given enabled him to secure a place in the ranks of good citizens, 
and he continues to improve his opportunities. 
These cases suggest the needs of discharged prisoners and the great 
value of the help given. A few dollars, judiciously expended, after careful 
investigation, will often save the expenditure of hundreds at a later day. 16 
MASSACHUSETTS PRISON ASSOCIATION. 
It is difficult for private individuals to do this work, for they do not have 
facilities for assertaining the records of applicants for aid,or their real needs. 
The Association has these facilities, and can make a few dollars do a great 
deal of work. 
Last summer there was reported to the Association the case of a pris- 
oner’s wife who had two boys. They were living in Boston, in surround- 
ings which made it almost inevitable that they should go astray if they 
were allowed to spend their vacation there. A place was found for them in 
the country, and the Association paid the board of ope for several weeks. 
The other was provided for by another charitable organization. Relieved 
of the care of her children, the woman was able to provide for herself 
during the dull season. 
Prisoners’ families usually suffer much more than the prisoners them 
selves. Such a case came to the attention of the Association, some time 
ago. The bread-winner of the family had been sent to prison, for a few 
months, and the wife was left to care for herself and her children. She 
did her best, but could not meet her bills. The husband had a well-to-do 
relative. His assistance was solicited. He was unwilling to help the 
family directly, for fear that they would think that they could depend upon 
him permanently. It was therefore arranged that the Association should aid 
the family, and that he would repay what was expended. This was done, 
and the family was kept from pauperism until the husband and father was 
discharged, and found work. 
It very frequently happens that a coat, a pair of pants, a hat, or a pair 
of boots, will help a discharged prisoner even more than money. There 
are many persons who have in their houses discarded clothing which is good 
enough for these men. If sent to the rooms of the Association it will be so 
used as to do some good. If any Boston reader has such clothing to con- 
tribute, and will drop a postal card to the office, it will be called for. From 
out of town it may be sent at the expense of the Association, if the donor 
does not feel able to pay express charges. 
HOW TO CONTRIBUTE. 
If you wish to contribute to the funds of the Massachusetts Prison 
Association, send the amount of your gift to the Secretary, Mr. Warren F. 
Spalding, No. 1 Pemberton Square, Boston, (Room 11.) If you send a 
check make it payable to Mr. Charles C. Jackson, Treasurer, and send it 
to the Secretary, as above.