The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-08-29
"1T is NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND -
,Auq.2

idea of Imprisonment is being revolution
lied. and time will bring about the needed
changes. If we can aid in this. our impriS-
onment has not been in vain.
While imprisoned. men should be taught
the fundamental laws of government, the
property rights of individuals their duty to
society, and other matters that will place
them in the world on a proper foundation
to become good citizens of the world. The
doctrine of love and duty is thousands of
years old. but comparative few regard its
great truths in the affairs OF life. If it
was to better our condition that the contract
| system was abolished. am the last one of
this community who would be heard in my
present attitude. If the step meant trades
for those willing to learn them, education
tor all needing it, training to meet the prac-
tical requirements of life for all, God
speed the change: but when l know the
forces which brought about the change viii,
if they are allowed to control in the matteA
thwart all possibility OF bettering the con-
dition OF prisoners. my efforts. be they ever
so feeble in their present narrow compass.
shall be against it. 1t is a movement born
of seltishness, and furthered and consul
mated by those who look to matters widely
separated from our interests. One of my
opponents has justly said it is now pOlti
cal question. That it is, one of the most
dangerous of political questions, when the
| liberties and lives of men are tOyed with
| as so many bubbles on the foul sea of pOlti-
cal corruption. 1t is tackled onto political
fences already of nearly equal strength.
| "On certain conditions we will go your
way" What are conditions of such char
| acter when they will insure victory? The
merest nothing. They are complied with,
the promise is out and the point is carried
| in accordance. The legislature of the state
has, as Tammany we'll declares, only de-
livered the goods. The result is the pres
ent muddle. and a consequent loss of thous-
ands of'dOllars to the tax payers; and if any
one can see better times for the convict in a
system which from necessity must needs
| employ every available man for the full
time allowed. at whatever employment af
fOrdS the greater revenue, their mental
optics are better than mine.
Here word on the public account system
by way of comparison. This is not ulIes-
tiOn as to the methods employed by the
state and contractors. but a question of
| what is the best system of those tried in the
prisons of this country. They are. viz:
The contract, public account. piece price
and lease. The opposition. organized Ia
labor. has abolished the contract system for
|
labOrer to compete with contract convicts.
| The same reason can be urged against the
piece price system and is urged against it
wherever it is in vogue. The same Objec-
tiOn can be, and is urged. with greater en-
ergy against the public account system, for
| the evident reason that the state can man
ufacture and sell goods at small profit and
has the means and facilities to place her at
advantage in competing with any private
concern of limited capital.
One may stand on the eminence of
dreamland and speculate in aerial structures
and perhaps see fabulous profits accruing to
the state; the convict reaping the advan-
tages of trade and sufficient earnings
while in prison to place him i'm position to
| fight the battle of life with every prospect
of winning; but will just turn the chrome
over and we see the convict released with
Jim crow" suit worth seven dollars. in
reduced condition mentally, morally, and
physically, the state at the end of two years
in debt at least the cost of keeping the pris-
Oners had they all remained in their cells
and done nothing. But" you say, ''this
| is missmanagement." Well perhaps it is,
but the same mislnanagement causes 95 per
cent of all the business men in the United
States to fail. This is true according to
undisputed authority. Is it safe to conclude
that this vast business concern is to be
| reckoned with the per cent. that succeed?
And if we succeed where can be found a
state like ours? Not on this continent.
Just note my observation, that the scheme
proposed is impracticable visionary, and
without the ghost of show of success, in