The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-06-06
Editor Mirror:

Men Or Beasts?
A short time ago read speech which
was delivered before the Board of Chari-
ties and Corrections by one of its members.
in which he advocated that convict should
be allowed to enjoy no more of Gods bless
ings than those absolutely necessary to sus-
tain life and perform hard labor; that his
field of labor should be confined to the very
lowest grades of work; that the state should
not train him so that he would when re-
leased become competitor in any of the
higher grades of labor, and that he should
be looked upon as hOpelessly degraded
outcast and be treated as such in prison and
out. The speaker did not give his opinion
on what would be the. moral condition of
the man after his release from a course of
such treatment. What do you think would
be the effect? Would he be more, or less
criminally inclined? l think. unless he be
a man of iron resolution, he will come out
a tenfOld more dangerous criminal than
when he entered. or will be hopeless.
spiritleSs vagrant the remainder of his life.
Don't you think that if he comes out of
prison more dangerous man than when
he entered, the state is responsible for his
being so? l. convict, one of the class of
whom he spoke. suffered more in the hour
it took me to read that speech than l have
from all the years have been in this priS-
on. | felt as if hand of ice was clutch
ing my heart while l read. l shuddered to
think what would be the effects upon my
life were l the victim of such a cold blood
ed theory. If it should befall him, as it
often has men of more humane sentiments,
to get into prison. such one as he uphOlds,
don't you think he would soon come to the
conclusion that his theory had been a very
bad one? Or would he argue that his case
should be made an exception, because of
previous good character and high standing?
He is citizen of state in which the
cOnvicts are treated in the manner spoken
of. That same state from which. but few
months ago. came such narrowing accounts
of the brutal numbering and tOrturng of
convicts.
Friends. while sitting in chapel this Sab
bath morning listening to the singing. the
words of encouraging advice, and observing
the clean and cheerful appearance of my
companions. my mind wandered away to
another state and another Sabbath morning.
On that morning was sitting on the porch
Of hotel in little railway station in one
of the southern states. On a side track.
but short way off. were standing couple
of prison cars. While l was looking at
them out came four armed guards from the
front car and took their posts. then out of
the rear car came forty convicts and washed
themselves in the stagnant water of the
ditch. then dried their faces with their shirt
sleeves and climbed back into the car for the
day. Their clothes were dobbed all over
with yellow mud and. taken altogether, l
think they were the most wretched looking
lot of human beings l ever beheld. re-
member, too. one Christmas morning when
| saw from the car window, gang of con-
victs working in the ditch beside the road,
and still another time when saw gang of
fifty cOnvicts joined neck and neck with
iron collars and chains like ferOciOus beasts
/ felt thankful that my lot had not been
cast in state where other laws and other
hearts rule.