The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-06-06
More LiSht-EcOnOmy.

man has committed against his unfortunate
crime by prohibiting the exercise OF speech
among prisoners, thus thwarting the wis
dom of God. the teachings of angel moth
ers, and infiicting upon the prisoner idocy,
deceitfulness, lying and imbecility, and
they have bequeathed it to their offspring
to pOsterity. On our chapel platform, last
Sunday, the first one of the accused came
forward and plead guilty to all the counts
in the Indictment. and asked lis for help.
and an attempt to reform would be made.
Now, all we want to do is to work this
thing right, and we will get this one that
has pleaded guilty-W arden StOrdock-to
turn states evidence, and we will catch all
of the offenders. We are going to be al
lowed to talk here after a while The war
den told us so, and he won't go back on his
word. 1t will be all experiment, and what
l want to do now is to warn my fellow
prisoners; we must not take advantage of
or abuse privilege when extended to us.
If it is done in this case our mouths will be
again sealed. and the dawn of light and
reason that shed its first rays from our
chapel platform last Sunday will disappear
and darkness and injustice will reign for
another age. So let us be careful, and we
will not only bless ourselves but other
prisons will follow. and thousands of our
fellow will also be blest. If there are
among us blatant fools who will betray the
confidence about to be placed in them l
would urge all my fellows to spurn them
with contempt. The scum arising from the
generating of all crime, filth, and disease.
is not more pOlluting, or more to be avoided,
than the malicious fools who will seek to
lose us this God boon. Again | say.
beware of them; mark them and spurn
them. Applaud the action about to be
taken, and paint the authors in burning
light of living glory, that sheds it's crown of
hope, wisdom and justice upon suffering,
deSpiSed human beings. This is the sent-
nlent of nearly all of as here, showing that
we will praise what is good; that we would
be men ii we had chance. Hasten, oh
bright dawn of intellect, and let thy glori-
Gus sunshine shed it's bright rays upon our
darkened. pent-up brains that we may be
aroused and quickened into manly men.
Let the good work 60 on, and man and God
will praise
| have information from reliable source
that the warden has said that he believed
it would be beneficial for many of us here to
have cell mates. but it seemed impracticable
because of the smallness of the cells. Some
time ago when l wrote upon the evils of SOL
itude. | said that my mind presented me
with number of feasible suggestions that
might take its place-if there was will
there would be way. [ now submit the
following as starter: Remove enough
bricks between two cells to make a door,
place therein frame (hO door; the bricks
will pay for the removing, the frame will
cost but little; place the incandescent light
at the top of this door frame, and it will
light two cells brilliantly instead of one.
This saving will pay for the frame the first
6 months; after that it is clear profit. Two
men of good character and genialty con-
verse, brighten and help one another. yet
have separate cells; in fact, comfort, moral
and intellectual improvement. combined
with economy II you want to make the
change we will wait for the lights without
'kicking."
Come to the chapel often. Mr.. Warden:
we will get better acquainted with one
another. l.. Nj.
l.. NJ. states it in rather strong terms.
Indiscriminate talking will not be allowed,
but, for cOnvicts to exchange friendly greet
ing, or exchange few words when it can
be done without detriment to work, will
hereafter be permitted and will not be con-
sidered as breaking any rule. Guards will
have to use good sense and tact in this.
Let them study the Golden Rule and apply
it in this case; if the guard is man of good
judgment and honest and fair intentions,
this new departure will work for good and
not evil. II. G. SToRDOCK,
Warden.
Kean VOnr Rove Of Hama Nsrl,<s