The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-07-18
An Appealed Us Double Up.

Editor Mirror:
While viewing the sights on our last
holiday. was perpleXed to see number
of we'll known residents talking in low
monotOnes, with their formerly smiling
faces now picture of utter wretchedness
and detection. This dOleful company
whetted my curiosity to the highest pitch,
but ponder as would l could think of
nothing sufficient to cause such woe on a
festive occasion, SO. determined at all haz-
ards to solve the mystery if in no other way
by joining the gloomy group. This latter
did. and moment afterwards everything
was plain-they were discussing the con-
vct labor laws: the burden of their chant
was. will we be locked up during the
daytime after September trSt? The
majority being of the opinion that such
was highly probable. accounted for their
forlom appearance.
considered this fitting time to try the
effects of pet theory which, though not
original, has not been aired very often to
my knowledge. The effect was magical;
bright look of expectancy took the place of
the former misery, as all agreed with me
that two men in a cell was an Improvement
on the present system and would be bene-
ticial-mOrally and mentaly--tO all con-
cerned
Now, as to the good or evil which might
result from such plan, much may be said
from different standpoints, but [ will here
attempt to show 10 all fair-minded persons
that the experiment is worthy Of trial.
The larger number of inmates have seen
life in its various phases. consequently eSti
mate fully the value Of liberal education
And as is well known to regular readers Of
THE MIRROR, there are many ambitious
devotees to stenOgraphy, teegraphy. and
the languages, to all of whom companion
in study would be boon. In proof of
this would it be Irrelevant to quote the old
axiom of two heads being superior to one?
In principal contrast to the latter para
graph | am 10th to state that nearly five
per cent of the inmates are wholly illterate,
and one-twentieth of the remainder would
cut very poor figure AT Juvenile spelling
bee. To these classes on the one hand it
is patent that the simplest rudiments of
cOmmCn-schoOl education would be God
send; Oh the other. it would be a clearly
defined case Of compromising felony to
allow them again TO mtngle with society Or
enter the battle of life with such odds
against them. | say naught of the pleas
ure and benefit that would ensue from
interchange of thought between two sensi-
bic men, as that is clear to all and would
be appreciated by our fraternity. as the
management we'll know from experience
on former occasions when the monotonous
red tape was slackened a trhe.
Let us see what has been ACCOMPLISHED
h.-+ Il,
privilege. There are only two cases. both
OF which were allowed on account of rela-
tiOnShip. One of the parties-a mere boy
was unable to read or write on his arrival, but
by the aid Of his more fortune cellmate can
now read with ease and write fair hand
This case is well authenticated. Of the
other know little but rumOr has it that
one OF the parties concerned has become an
expert manipulation Of dough through ex-
perience CLEANED from his companion. form
erly skilled chef.
Now. as for the evil which might arise
from such system, prefer to hear from
some one opposed to it, as the only OppOsi-
ton | can see resolves itself into two cues
tiOns-would it be detrimental to health?
Would not some of the men cOncOct evil
plans for future use? Both of these are
vague and ephemeral. To each | would
answer in an emphasized negative AS re-
CARDS health. the cells are fairly we'll venti-
lated and l do not believe that nature or
medical Jurisprudence draws the line in
such sharp manner The second Objec-
ton is weaker still, for. as is plain to the
knowing ones, those who plan exploits for
future reference. while in prison, are in
varlably Ostracised by their associates and
are best known here under the general name
of crank" And again, the number of
men in this institution who really prefer a
crooked life to the proper one can be easily
counted in the unit column. Another OBJ
lection which might be raised lays in the
fact OF old crooks communicating guileless