The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-11-28
Injustice Kefgns Supreme.

Injustice is cruelty. 1t Furnishes some
more than they deserve for their crimes,
while others are unmolested. 1t keeps
some imprisoned until they are hardened
criminals, while others are turned out into
the world far too soon. and before they have
fnlly reformed. 1t Furnishes the innocent
as well as the guilty. in fact. it makes some
who would lead honest lives. turn their
backs and say: NO one on earth will l
trust. All humanity is working for SELF"
In fact. this is true; after man gets start
down hill. everybody. instead of giving him
a helping hand in the right course. gives
him a push to hasten his arrival in degra-
datOn. OF course there are exceptions,
but this is the general rule.
Let young man start out in life, in
ter what his previous reputation may have
been. inside of twenty-four hours his
crime will be floating in print, under faring
headlines. from ocean to ocean, from
Canada to the gulf; describing his early
bOyiSh tricks. his bad reputation, and some
times even inSinuating on his past record.
The report is spread with lightning rapid
ity, and with each repetition few lines are
added, to make it more sensational. Re-
pOrterS aid in this, in order to improve
their paper in the minds of its readers
but chiefly to gather rich harvest for their
own pockets. Surely not out of any con-
sideration for the young man.
Here is another kind OF injustice. 1t is
that the penal code of this state is too
severe in some cases. For instance: Here
am l sentenced to ten years for forgery
1.-THE least the Judge could have given mel,
while in our sister state, Iowa, the penalty
for the same Offense is but from two to
five years. Still further, compare my case
with those of others here. One. for in
stance, is where an inmate is serving four
years for manslaughter. Taking life! The
greatest crime before God and man, while
am doomed to stay here full twice as long.
for merely using another mans signature
Still another case is where one of the in
mates is serving eighteen months for grave
Otfense; while seven other men are "dOng''
one year each. for quietly drinking two
kegs of beer, taken from bOX-car. Another
case OF glaring injustice, is where two men
were sent here for ten years each, for re-
lieving man of sixty five cents, while. as
a comparison, another man is serving only
two and half years, for almost killing his
victim and securing nearly one hundred and
twenty dollars.
''Oh," you may say. "Such cases are
intended as warning to Others" But, l
ask you, is it justice?
But. my christian friends. | ask you what
modern prison is for? Why" you will
say. ITO reform the criminal" Very true.
And will tell you the only way you will
ever make it a success: First, make laws
that will make the sentence fit the crime.
laws that will consider the criminals
previous record Give each and every
prisoner fair trial without regard to his
financial standing Be he rich or Door,
after conviction. dress, feed and treat him
like human being, and not as if he were
wild beast. Furnish him plenty of work
with small compensation for his services,
as an inducement to good behavior. In
trOduce schools to enlighten his mind and
to keep him from evil thoughts, and Sun
day school to teach him to look beyond this
world for real happiness. Encourage, in
stead OF discourage him. and last but not
least, give him the use of the greatest boon
that God gave to man-hs tongue When
reformed give him his liberty, be his SEN
tence served or not
My friends. when you have ACCOMPLISHED
this, you will be on the right course to the
reformation of the criminal, but until then
injustice will rule the day. l hope, if my
comparisons SAVIOR too much of persOnalism
the reader will please excuse me; for thew
were requisite in order to bring out my ar
gument. EUREKA.