Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-07-16
Boys In the State Prison OF California.
FACE TO FACE WITH ONE OF THE UGLY
TRUTHS OF TO-DAY.

+ ALE ~ FACE Win ONE VI HE CULI
TRUTHS OF TO-DAY.
Here we are face to face with the ugli-
est truth in the United States. Twenty
five of these boys are only II years old.
As before stated. there are many others
much younger. find here in this prison
forty-fve boys who are not yet quite 20
years old; all native born, all handsome,
healthy, and finely educated lads, as a
rule.
They do not seem be vicious. In fact,
the record of their crimes shows that they
were good-nalured petty burglars, hang
ing about the cities. and not given to
bloody deeds at all. But not one of them
here. They are mostly employed in the
jute factory along with the Cinnamon.
The Chinese are placed there because they
are, as rule. more skillful than white
men. Then the boys are put there be-
cause they will thus be shut off from the
older criminals to a great extent. All
who work in this wonderful factory.
which is going to be productive of much
good to both state and citiZen-giving the
farmers cheap bags for rain.-receive
some extra pay, and so will not leave the
prison pennless.
But at the very best, the outlook for
these hundreds of boy convicts is grim in
deed. The outlook for the state of Cali
tornia is still worse. And if, as has been
said before, California is the focus and
emphasized expression of the United
States in advance. what sad things are
to be prophesied of our coming genera
ton all over the land call the atten-
ton of the country to this condition of
things out here, and point out that EN-,
ployment might be found by many good
phlanthropist in looking after the young
men in the cities east. by compelling them
to 90 to work. The problem is not SO
muca concerning those who are in the
prisons now as those on the way there.
CONVERSATION WITH Boy CoNvlCTs.
"What are you here for, my sonP"
Burglary"
The boy. pale blonde. did not lift his
eyes. He was sitting at dinner along
with all the others in remote corner OF
vast dining hall with its 1900 guests.
Far away in another remote corner sal
the 200 Cinnamon, all silently eating by
themselves. The colored people also
were in a group together. The Indians
fit in almost anywhere.
burglary first time. hope"
First and last, sir; can't you get me
out O. hereP"
The pale little fellow hardly lifted hi:
in the least, but kept stirring his soup ir
| a noiseless and nervous fashion, as if hi:
thoughts were far away.
"Will you tell me why such fine lac
is herep"
They won't let me talk, sir; and Sc
you see can't tell you. But won't yor
please get me outD'
"Yes, they will let you talk. They le
me wander all about and talk with whom
l please, and | want to talk with you"
Guess I'd better not talk much bu
oh. gosh. wish you'd get me out o
| here" And the boy went on stirring hi:
soup. And as he did not lift his eyes OF
say more, passed on around to a full
faced and black haired lad whose eve:
were everywhere. Burglary! That's
me. Second offense; sorry; YOU bet
and won't never do so again You see,
knew just what you wants to ask: and
answer in advance to save you trouble
Now. won't you please try and get me
outp"
The hardened little convict poked his
fellow prisoner with his elbow, and they
both gigged as they bent their heads tc
their tin soup plates.
But the fact is You get but little infor-
nation from these lads. They put on 8
sort of banter and air OF defiance the min.
ute you approach them. and lie RICH,
along to keep up their courage and show
of hardihood was told bv one of the
officers that this same boy spent good
deal of his time in tears. And am bound
to admit that. personally and directly,
did not get much light on the subject BY
inquiry iron any one of these two hun
dred bows at San Quentin. But my old.
time friend. Gen. Barnes. one of the emf
nent lawyers of San Francisco. spent
weeks where have only spent days in
this investigation, and he tells me, as he
has told the public oftenhmes in his lee
lures on this subject. that these BOYS are
in the states prison because the common
wealth permits them no other place-be,
cause they are not permitted to work else.
where.
IT Is PARTLY THEIR OwN FAULT.
Gen. Barnes boldly testities that these
boys have not been permitted to learn
trades. He had the present apprentice
law of California placed on the statute
books. But he SAYS that the custom OF
bring ipg skilled workmen from Europe
has shut up every possible avenue o,
opening for the Americans. These mer
from abroad, he says, are better skilled
than the American is willing to make him
self. And so he can get employment,
while the native Californian must starve
or turn to crime for bread.
Yes, it is to be admitted that it is parity
the Americans own fault For these