Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 15.djvu/487

 AMERICAN REFORMATORY SYSTEM 473

cultural opportunities and privileges the reformatory system in- volves. Not only a solidifying and steadying effect is wrought, but at the same time the irresponsive prisoners are sifted out and settled to their appropriate place.

Every separate reformatory institution has its own particular tone, derived originally from the central controlling individual, fed, fanned, and reflexively disseminated. This institutional tone is an impalpable something which, like the consensus of a public opinion, is always a powerful determining factor. As the hun- dred instrumentists of a great orchestra reach their highest excellence by inspiration of their leader so the most effective reformatory work must have its tone of inspiration. It is the product of a quality rather than of external influences. Important as it is that the governing head should do and say the wisest things, it is of vastly more importance that he possess within himself the manly qualities and glowing interest which, when generally communicated, insure the best success. Such inward- ness is self-propagative.

With the utmost of confidence in the category of principles arrayed, and supplied with the completest reformatory mechan- ism, yet, when confronted with the duty to effect reformations, so lofty and complex is the problem, so delicate are the processes, and so much is the skill required, that it is not surprising if in- credulity should arise. But when the problem is resolved into two essential elements it seems more simple. These elements are the formation of desirable habitudes, and development of individual economic efficiency.

HABIT

The only useful knowledge we can have of the springs of character is to be derived from intelligent observation and true interpretation of the customary behavior. That every individual has characteristics fixed in his innate constitution or nature — a certain temperament and natural tendencies — cannot be denied. But external circumstances have already somewhat modified the original characteristics; and none can name the limit of further possible modifications to be effected by different circum-