REV. AUGUST DRAHMS, CHAPLAIN STATE PRISON, SAN QUENTIN, CALIFORNIA.
“_Increase and Decrease of Crime in Civilized Countries._”
He showed that crime in England decreased 35 per cent. in 16 years, and now it is but two and a half per cent. of the population. Juvenile decrease in Reformatory was 22 per cent. less. Scotland 8 per cent. less. United States last 7 years raised 1-44/100 per cent. Russia 32 per cent. decrease in 10 years. Austria 2 per cent. decrease in 6 years, Hungary less. Sweden less in serious offences by 30 per cent. in 10 years, Norway less. Netherlands falling off in prison offences, but much increased in 11 years to 35 per cent. Russia was 6,000, now 2,100, Japan less. France is foremost, decreased one-third in the past period, by 46,000 or 31 per cent. in all her prisons. In 1896 there were but 15,100 prisoners. Estimate of all in prison throughout the world in 1890 is 263,500.
Hon. Frederick H. Wines, LL.D., Washington, D. C., spoke of the increase and decrease of crime in civilized countries which caused much discussion; as he is the Assistant Director of the United States Census, he expressed his great admiration of the paper read by Chaplain Drahms, and its optimistic view; but he said you make a great mistake when information is based on the increase from the United States Census, for the prison census prior to 1880 is worthless, they were not taken, and the estimates were made by those in authority in my office. The census of 1890 was made particularly by the officers, and 1900 will certainly show a marked decrease of crime.
Invitations were extended by the following cities--Philadelphia, Detroit, Chattanooga, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Niagara Falls. The Delegate Committee met after adjournment and decided on Kansas City.
This afternoon at two o’clock, all met at the hotel for a drive; forty open carriages, drags, tally-hos, &c., with teams varying from two to five horses, were provided by the gentlemen of the city, very elegant turnouts; and all were taken to the Garfield Monument, thence through the park to the lake front, returned about seven o’clock. On the way all were refreshed in the park with lemonade. The drive was greatly enjoyed by all, as we were taken through the finest parts of the city, and saw the bright side.