The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-05-09
All Want sSOft Snaps.

viewed by Observer in our last issue, and
while l sincerely hope may be considered
as one who is in full sympathy with my I'M
fortunate companions. l feel that l can con-
sistently disagree with Observer in several
respects. Taking the present system OF
prison management as whole, l am by no
means in accord with it, and l fully agree
with the mass of convicts in their denunci-
alton of it. l am constrained to admit,
however. that all the articles | have read so
far i'm THE MIRROR have been one sided
affairs. We must not lose sight of the
great principle of argument, which is to ad-
nit what good there may be in the opposing
side. and refrain from. making rash state
mentS that cannot SubStantiated by facts.
When one fOrgetS this principle his theory,
no matter how elO9uently expressed or how
beautifully composed. loses whatever merit
it might otherwise have gained. Every
fair minded person knows that it is mainly
the imaginary evils of prison management
that Lave been thrust upon the public.
which would not bear the most tritiing inves
tigatiOn without bringing to the surface
nothing but mere prejudicial statement.
The great majority Of cOnvictS complain
against the work they may be assigned to
on the ground that they are unable to learn
enough to enable them to secure work at it
after their release. Now. my experience
behind these walls has shown me that in
stead Of showing all inclination to learn
what they can, the men as a class. with but
few exceptions. exhibit a very strong desire
for ''soft snaps" We all like an easy job.
q include myself: we all like to do about
ljttlQ &c OnSSihly in tha Cb a If
work while here simply because it is COM
pulsory labor. | am honest enough. how
ever. to admit that if a man working in any
one of the shops here really wants to learn
all he can he will be accorded ample Op-
pOrtunty for so doing. Those who have
been so unfortunate as not to have had the
benefit of education. tlamOr for an oppOr-
tunity to learn what they can.
1t is proposed to build an institution in
this state that will have a school Of instruc-
ton and also learn a man a mechanical
trade. Is it wise to condemn those efforts
simply because they are part and parcel of
the discipline of that institution? Obser
Yer says one is expected to become Il mere
machine, give up all individuality" etc..
simply because he must be faithful to his
work and exhibit an inclination to do what
is given him to do, with good will. Does
the mechanics apprentice lose his individu-
ality in learning his trade on the outside?
Does the schOOlbOy become revengeful be-
cause he is expected to attain certain av
erage in his examinations in order to secure
promotion? That is all very fine." you
say: but they are free while we are behind
prison walls" Why is it any different?
Are you asked to do any more than you
would be asked to do in the same work out
side? When an attempt is made to learn
nj and TO rr;x n
knowledge of reading, writing and arith-
metic. the state tries to give him what he
has been constantly clamoring for. Then
why do you set up a superficial argument
to demonstrate that such efforts tend to
make him a mere machine? Is it not the
proper way to argue in favor of lettering
our condition.. Every one who looks at
the MOTIVE which prompts such efforts to
better mans condition will never view
them in the light that Observer does.
do not doubt for one moment that his
views as given in last weeks issue will meet
with the hearty appreciation of the greater
number of inmates not on account Of its
merits. but simply because it is a denuncia-
ton of prison management. Until men
who are necessarily compelled to endure tine
rigors of prison discipline learn to refrain
from making statements that any intelli-
gent person can tear into shredS. they will
never enhance the movement towards
prison reform.
Will the refOrmatory reform? asks my
friend. BY no means will it accomplish a
complete reformation, but if man is IN
CLINED to lead different course in life he
will find far more to encourage him in that
direction in the refOrmatOry then behind
these walls. Had we better not confine our
arguments to questions of more Importance,
and which will benefit us far more than
mere censure of every thing promiscuOusly?
INGOMAR.