Answer to question 10.

If the progressive system for prisoners of a long term is accepted, it would be possible and also desirable to make them work in open air, provided they are separated from free laborers. This work can be organized in the country, or even in the confines of the city.

Answer to question 11.

The congress expresses the view:

(a) That international penal statistics should be prepared for each session of congress.

(b) That this work should be intrusted to the penal administration of the countries in which congress might meet.

(c) That the investigations should treat of the second year which fol lows that of the former congress.

(d) That the tables annexed to the report of Mr. Beltrani-Scalia should be admitted in principle as a basis of these international statistics.

(e) That the publication should be accompanied by a report analyzing the results shown, and making known the state of penal statistics in different countries.

SECTION III.-PREVENTIVE MEANS.

Answer to question 1.

The congress expresses the opinion:

1. That societies of patronage should be established wherever they do not now exist, and that relations between societies of patronage or societies of benevolence in different countries should be established in the general interest of works of patronage, and also in order to bring aid in the most efficient manner to persons needing patronage.

2. That to this end conventions should be established between dif ferent societies which should have for their aim:

(a) To insure a regular and reciprocal exchange of experience. (b) To set forth the principle that patronage should extend to foreigners; regarding always the police regulations of each country. (e) To insure the return home of discharged prisoners, if they so desire, or to secure them work in another place.

3. That in view of their return home special supervision should be taken of their earnings, their clothing, and discharge papers, and their free passage.

4. In the aim of facilitating the establishment of an institution of international patronage, it is desired that societies of patronage which exist in all countries should be united in creating a central national organ.

Answer to question 2.

1. The unity of interests which exists, and of questions which are proposed between administrations charged with penal services, and of

police on one side, of public or private services of assistance, and of benevolence on the other, requires a harmony between different institutions, a harmony conformed to the needs of each country.

2. To give more force to this understanding, it is desirable that there should be created societies, congresses, or conferences, in which will be united representatives of such societies.

3. It is especially desirable that the state define by law or by ordinance the obligations intrusted, under reserve of their rights and of their initiative, to societies or public or private establishments, espe cially in what concerns the administration of the competence of liberated children, in every case, as well as adults, if they need patronage.

4. To facilitate the mission which is incumbent on societies of patronage, it is desirable that the state, the province, the community, or private societies erect and support workhouses.

Answer to question 3.

1. The congress expresses the desire to see generalized, in their different forms of application, the work of children morally abandoned and measures of protection and of education for unfortunate childhood.

2. In accordance with experience, it would be necessary to combine the system of placing in families with that of placing in institutions, the two systems considered separately presenting advantages and disadvantages.

3. Everywhere it is expedient in endeavoring to conduct the interests of the institutions to remove them as far as possible from systems termed "congregate," and to organize them after the principle of family education-that is to say, after the cottage system.

4. The placing in families can be permitted, especially in the following cases:

(a) For the youngest children, especially girls not morally compromised and of a healthy constitution.

(b) For children morally neglected or guilty, after a sufficient lapse of time, when they will have been improved or corrected in an insti tution.

(c) For children whose correctional education is finished and who are still under patronage.

5. For the interest of education in families it is recommended that free organizations of education or societies of patronage or competent committees established by public authority should make it their study(a) To make a judicious choice of the family in which they can intrust the children.

(b) To direct these families.

(c) To supervise their education.

(d) To regulate supervision after established principles.

6. It would be desirable that on one side the heads of houses of education, and on the other side the committees of family education of

each district, should establish between themselves a cordial understanding, in order to be able to exchange protegés and to combine thus the two kinds of education after the individual needs of the latter.

Answer to question 4.

1. It is recommended that societies of patronage should have the opportunity to become interested in the situation of the families of prisoners before they have recovered their liberty

(a) In order to insure, as much as possible, the maintenance of family affections.

(b) In order to aid especially the family of the prisoner if his detention has caused serious detriment to minors, the old, or the infirm.

2. To attain this end the societies of patronage should mention it expressly in their statutes, and place themselves in connection with every local authority, administrative or religious.

Answer to question 5.

1. The congress expresses the opinion that besides concerning itself with individuals in a state of conditional or definitive liberation, who are placed under the patronage of a society, this society should also exert itself in an energetic and direct manner, with the coöperation of police service.

2. It considers as a real impediment to patronage, as an obstacle to every renewal of work, and consequently as a fatal cause of relapse in discharged criminals, revelations concerning them which could be very easily made to private individuals of information contained in judicial files, or found in the hands of the police.

3. It is also essential that police service should not go to patrons or directors of institutions, to demand information of the conduct and work of persons placed after their liberation under the patronage of societies, said societies remaining responsible to public authority.

This opinion extends to patronage of reformed girls.

Answer to question 6.

In order to interest the public in penal and preventive questions, it is desirable:

1. That ministers of different religions should coöperate in this work by devoting a Sunday in addressing their congregations in regard to prisoners.

2. That the support of the press should be given to the solution of these questions.

3. That competent men should organize conferences, and publish special articles upon the questions of public interest mentioned.

4. That members of every social class should join patronage or prison aid societies.

CLOSING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

The closing session of the congress was held in the hall of the palace of the nobility at 11 o'clock, June 24, under the presidency of Mr. Galkine-Wraskoy. The Prince d'Oldenburg and the princess occupied the imperial section, accompanied by Mmes. Chérémétiew and Narysch. kine and others of their suite. After the completion of the ordinary business of the day the president made his closing address, as follows: GENTLEMEN: The session of to-day is, as you know, the last of the present congress, and thanks to your zeal there only remains one question to discuss, the fifth of the first section upon legislation concerning childhood, which awaits your decision. But I am convinced by exchange of opinions this question will require more profound study, and I believe it will be more prudent to refer it to the next congress. The discussions which have taken place on this question will appear in the acts of the congress and will furnish material worthy our attention without requiring us to decide now when there is such a divergence of opinion in our assembly, which shows that the question is not yet sufficiently discussed.

This proposition being approved, I pass to another question of a very different character, but of more considerable importance. I mean the choice of a place for the coming session of the Fifth International Prison Congress. I have been informed, though confidentially, that the Government of the French Republic is disposed to receive the future congress in Paris. I await, then, the expression of your sentiments that I may convey the same to that Government. [Unanimous approbation is given.] In congratulating you, gentlemen, on the striking unanimity of your choice for the location of the next congress, I request my eminent and cherished colleague, Mr. Herbette, to please present to the Government of France our sentiments in this respect. In response Mr. Herbette spoke as follows:

GENTLEMEN: Permit me to say how highly we appreciate the words pronounced by the president and the sentiments he has expressed. If some of our colleagues have hoped that their country would have been honored with the next congress, which has been so graciously offered to us, we sincerely regret their disappointment. But we can not refuse to give testimony to our devotion and loyalty to prison work. If you consider that the designation of Paris responds most fully to the general wish, I sincerely hope that your request will be deferred to.

Certainly you know how difficult it will be to receive the succession which is offered us after the eclat and brilliancy that the Government of His Imperial Majesty has given to this congress. But the hospitality of Paris will fortify and not efface the memory of our reception in St. Petersburg. Instead of refusing the succession, with the obligations which follow, you are assured that, so far as it depends on us, far from declining it, it will be accepted with the most cordial gratitude.

The president then renewed his discourse, saying:

GENTLEMEN: It now remains for me to accomplish the most agreeable duty, to express to you our gratitude for the active part you have taken in the work of the congress, securing for it the most complete success possible. The memory of your valuable and efficient labors will remain forever engraved on our memory, and the transactions of this congress will transmit the truth of this to the latest times.

To work with you, gentlemen, offers a double advantage, if I may use the term; first, to find in you such love for the work in which we are engaged and desire for good results; and, secondly, the satisfaction that lies in the personal acquaintances we form which has the special charm of being certain and sincere.

These, gentlemen, are the reasons which will perpetuate the grateful memory which animates, without exception, all Russian hearts.

May you, gentlemen, whom I address as dear friends and colleagues, equally retain a pleasant memory, on returning to your own countries, recalling distant Russia and your sojourn with us. It is with this wish, which I express from the depths of my heart, that I declare closed the session of the Fourth International Prison Congress of St. Petersburg.

Mr. Herbette spoke again at some length, and at the close he was made the organ of the congress to request of Prince d' Oldenburg that he present to His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress the profound gratitude of the congress.

On the rising of the congress, Prince and Princess d' Oldenburg descended from the imperial section and spent some time socially with the members and assured them that their friendly sentiments should be faithfully presented to the Emperor and Empress.

CLOSING OF THE FIRST SECTION-PENAL.

The closing scenes of the three sections in their several halls were quite interesting to the members. Coming together from twenty-six different nations, comparatively unacquainted, but with one purposethe discussion of questions of vital interest to society-the meetings had all been in the best spirit and the discussions had been marked by earnest yet friendly debate. Personal acquaintances were formed which promise to be enduring and profitable to the cause which brought them about.

The final session of the first section-penal-was held on the 21st of June, opening at 9 o'clock a. m., under the presidency of Mr. Pols. The time was principally occupied in concluding the discussion on questions not before disposed of and adopting conclusions to be referred to the general assembly.

After this business had been disposed of the president, Mr. Pols, in moving and eloquent terms thanked the section for its coöperation in the good work which had been accomplished and for having solved questions of so much importance. He likewise thanked the reporters and assistant reporters, who, by their fruitful and intelligent labors, had aided to such a useful extent in presenting theses on the various reports. He ended by requesting that resolutions be adopted expressing the thanks of the section to the secretaries for the efficient manner in which they had discharged their duties. This was agreed to. The discourse was warmly applauded.

Mr. Golovine, secretary, responded, thanking for himself and his colleagues the section for the honor extended; and Mr. Neklioudow, in behalf of the section, expressed his warmest gratitude to Mr. Pols, the president, for the able and impartial manner in which he had presided during the different sessions.

After the exchange of these complimentary sentiments the president declared the first section of the Fourth International Prison Congress closed.