The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-04-19
Letter from the State Capital.
CoLUMBUs, April Is, 1877.
PRISON LIFE.

H PRISON LIFE.
1t has been remarked that no two
days Of the strange drama of life are
alike in their experiences. Some
changed relation of facts, some ckang-
ing tide of emotions, some hope real
lied or shadowed with disappointment
win touch the kaleidoscope to give a
new view. If there be all exception
: to this, it is found in prison life, where
dull monotony rules to his full satis-
faction, writing his oft-repeatedg char
octers until, very often, reason wells
her face from the dull landscape
which memory presents. This is en-
phatically true OF s'life convicts." On
such the sun of hope shines so dimly
that often, after a few years, a settled
gloom enwraps the soul with all its
brilliant aspirations. "The dress
makes the man." says an American
philosopher. In support of his prop
osition he might have drawn argu-
ments from the influence of "the
|
day after day, during the continuance
of convict life. Among the reforma-
tory efforts of benevolence directed
toward saving convicts to manhood,
we would suggest that the State pro-
vide "Sunday suit" of different ma
terial from that worn during the week.
| "What y says your economist, 'drcss
the cOnyicts of the State in broad
cloth p No, but let the opportunity
OF a change of dress once week sug-
gest, as it will, Sunday, church, home,
childhood, aad all that flood of men,
ories which would come, almost un-
hidden, as they "dress for church" AS
to expense, the State now supplies an
outgoing suit, of which the above
mentioned could take the place. Pride,
good, honest, manly pride, even rs it
finds its outgrswth in dress, is a
mighty lever, properly adjusted, to
lif! 8 man out of seliishness into
higher ard better life.
But, kind reader, if you do not like
my phiiosophizing, just omit it, and
come to convict life, in its dull daily
round in the Ohio Penitentiary. We
will pass along the corridors in front
of the living tombs where they sleep
-"tombs" about three feet wide, with
little iron bedstead made fast to the
wall, and which must be turned up
and fastened to the wall to make room
to dress. a bible is kept in each cell
with such other reading matter as they
may have, which in some cases is
placed on neat little bracket.shelf,
which the skill Of ofsome, by permission
Of the authorities, has made, as over
work in former days, when this was
permitted. AS we pass these sleeping
rooms, we can but think of the strange
revelations of heart lite, if these dumb
silent walls could unyeil to our view
the thoughts, emotions, dreams, pur-
poses, hopes, passions, fears and dis
appointments there acted in the silence
of individual thought life, during the
the year round, the bell rings for all
hands TO rise and dress, the cell doors
are unlocked, and each one steps out
side to join, at the word of command,
in the ''lock STEP" down and out to
the prison yard, where are the wash
ing facilities. both hot and cold water
being provided freely. From here,
when all are ready, they "tramp.
tramp" TO the dining hall, where
breakfast awaits them, consisting of
corn bread and mea,, with Il nice bowl
of coffee. OF this last we say mice"
becaugc it is bought in the berry,
roasted and ground in the prison, with
the peas and the chickory lett ont for
the untoriunatcs who board ct first
class houses" Sometimes the meat is
omitted for breaktast, and piece of
butter is substituted. Ii requires one
hundred pounds of butter to 90 the
rounds. From the break fast room
they are marched directly TO the shops
to begin their daily tasks. TO many 8
street loafer, who has found q g sunny
harbOr' here, work meyer had So many
charms before to him, as, after a long
confinement in the idle shop as it's
called, Tor want oi business, he has an
opportunity To study The philosophy
OF leisure. al noon the bell on the
chapel announces the time 10 wash,
which is attended TO in the shops, fall
ing into line rs each is ready, when
by their guards they are marched to
the yard, near The '.hash house" Here
each company waits ill ali are ''oh
parade" as military man would put
it. AT the tap OF the chapel bell they
all file into their seats at the tables,
which are, in their architecture, only
board about fourteen inches wide
with stool TO sit OH. AT a tap OF The
bell. each man takes his cap from his
head, planting it on his lap in place OF
napkin. Ii the chaplain is present, a
blessing is asked, when, at q tap of
the bell, all ''piich in" lie finds be-
fore him not great variety, but SUBJ
stantial, weIl-cooked provisions, and
plenty of them, consisting OF corn
bread, meat, potatoes or hominy, with
half the time OF more bowl of soup,
all to be washed down with a bowl OF
water. With no honr for rest, they
fall into ranks for the work shops
again, until the supper-bell calls them
into the same machine movements
again, and they have the inner man
refreshed with wheaton bread, par
TALLY 'Graham," with apple-sauce, ap-
pie butter, Or cheese, and bowl Of
tea. And now "balmy sleep. sweet
.ac To. 0.o..v c,c h.