The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-08-29
Reflections.

opportunity to observe the natural indus
trial inclinations of the prisoners. has sug-
gested the establishing here of toy fac
tory The sOundness of this suggestion
cannot be doubted. Go into the workshop
and watch the prisoner. See what he is
doing when not engaged at his regular
task, 20 peep into his cell and see how he
passes his time. Nine times out of ten you
will find him engaged, if mechanically, in
making some article of frivOlity. There
seems to be decided relationship in such
mechanism to his nature. The brio a-brac
that adOrns most of the cells here as we'll
as the magnanimOus testimony of outside
people. who have been the recipients OF
gifts from prisoners. is the strongest pos
sible evidence of the marvellous ingenuity,
invention and skill displayed in the work
manship of this frivOlity. The more won
derful this is. when it is known that in
most cases the material has been scraps and
purlOined at that. and often the only tool
used a jack-knife. Now what might be
expected if he was supplied with material,
tools and designs? There are a hundred
men here, who. without further instruction
than book of designs, will make almost
any toy, brio a-brac, or ornamental article.
The tools and machinery will be light and
comparatively inexpensive. There is pro-
badly no similar industry in the state or
even the northwest. therefore there can be
no labor troubles. The articles are lux
uries, because Of this no man can say you
are taking the bread from his mouth. The
profits are much larger than in any line SO
far proposed. Ii you had to hold your
goods for seasonable markets, the goods ON
hand would represent 80 per cent. labor.
But if doors or tubs. they would represent
80 per cent. material. The expense to
start is. comparatively speaking, small. The
natural inclination towards frivOlity in the
prisoner, creates in him the inventions,
tact. skill, and absorbing inclination and
taste in the workmanship of frivOlity.
This is the strongest possible argument in
favor of this industry. l am sure that with
in one year the product of the prisoners
skilled in this line, could form one of the
most interesting displays in the expOsitiOns
of our state. and do more towards opening
the eyes of the country in justice to their
fellow unfortunates than any other pos
sible means. as sympathy always goes
with the admiration Of workmanship. [
am in possession of cOpiOuS notes from facts
and observations upon this subject, but
will be content for this time with the Sug-
geStiOns made by the officer, feeling salts
fled that it contains so much sound sense
that it will receive the serious and practi-
cal consideration it deserves.
~
The petition for pardon Of our late editor
w. F. Mirick, so thoroughly set forth his
innocence that it became the duty of the
Governor to grant it. Yet there are men in
here with just as good, or even better
claims for executive clemency, who are
doomed 10 serve out their sentence. Why?
Because they have no one to work for them,
had Mr.. Mirick been without relatives he
would have, in all PROBABILITY, spent his life in
this prison. Indeed had it not been for the
unceasing, interchangeable efforts of loving
sister. he would be here to day without a
hope Of approaching freedom. l saw and
talked with this sister of our eX-editOr
only few weeks ago. She was then but a
shadow of her former self. and told me that
the doctors said she couldn't live another
year, but her pale sickly face wreathed with
pleading smile as she said: IF God will
only spare me until l get Willie out will
be ready" told her that sometime, some
where. there would be a reward for her. l
was thinking then of the time when was
frendless. pennileSS prisoner in the Hen
nepn county Jail, and she came to me and
brought me, from time to time. papers, can
dies, and little bags of fruit, and always
with words OF cheer, while she was
weighed down with sorrow and possessed
only the necessary means for her livelihood
Who will say such acts will not be reward
ed? He that does, says there is no heaven,
for even now tear bedims my eye, as the
memory of her kindness comes back to me.
and l most sincerely wish that her life may
long be spared to enjoy the society of her
willie" for whom size has almost given
her life.
W.
There has been no visitor to this prison,
to my kOwledge, who attracted SO much at