The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-02-01


Gle in the course of which the writer calls
into question the sincerity of those of us
who have written in advocacy of temper
ance reform, charity and similar TOPICS
Having recently written all article favoring
the formation of, a temperance society, I
desire to enter protest against any rei1ec-
ton upon my sincerity. l don't desire to
impose upon the creduity of the inmates of
this institution. nor do l wish any of our
numerous readers on the outside to infer
that all articles written on the subject al
luded to, are inSincere, and therefore I'M
worthy Of belief. ! was thoroughly in
to which l refer, and did not think there
was anything in it to which any person
might take exception. | wrote about the
matter just as 1 felt, and particularly adj
dressed myself to those whose expert enceS
had been of the same nature as mine.
Nothing Was farther from my intention
than to inveigle any person into the idea of
joining such society. Should there be One,;
unless willingly While am not averse to
criticism, either friendly or otherwise, l
have the most decided objections to having
my motives miScOnstrued. nake this state
ment. not in vinuictive spirit, but simply
by way of defence. LII regard to reform, l
don't see any imprOprety in its being dis
cuSSed by those most affected by it, and their
suggestions being taken for what they are
WORTH The reformation of the criminal
class Is matter that has claimed the atten-
tiOn of legislators and philanthrOpiSts from
very remote period OF time, and although
numerous remedies have been applied for
the abatement OF the evil, still statistics
show that crime is on the increase. How is
this to be accomplished? Is it because those
who have been called upon to deal with the
matter have not given the subject sufficient
study to enable them to act intelligently, or
must it be aScribed to the natural depravity
of the human race? In legislating upon
the. question. have all parties concerned
| been represented, and their views aScer-
tanned? The authorities in charge of insti
tutiOnS where criminals are confined, have
excellent opportunities of learning what
would be beneficial in aiding the reforma-
ton of those sentenced to their keeping,
and should be consulted and the result OF
their experience would greatly facilitate the
solution of the veXed question. Many
methods have been devised and employed to
|
object, and thus far have met with little
success. FlOgging and its accompanying
modes of punishment have justly been dis
pensed with in all states which have any
pretentions to civilization. Another method
which may be aptiy termed new depar-
ture" is on trial here at the present time,
and if it fail to be productive of good re-
suits it will be the fault of those for whose
good it is intended If a person has reach
ed that degree of degradatlOn that he fails
to be susceptible of humane treatment.
then indeed may the case be considered to
be hopeless. | ain painfully aware of the
| fact that what a convict" may have to say
in regard to reform Tor any other matter
which may affect him Directly will be re-
ceived with great deal OF suspicion, and
will, therefore relegate the matter to where
it properly belongs. Much has been said
about the pernicious habit of lying"
which according to communications appear
ing in recent issues of TIE MIRROR APP
pears to be prevailing to an alarming ex-
! tent among us here. Now we may have
our MunchauSens. and Ochiltrees. just as
other communities have. but should there
appear any Tom Peppers" among lis, [
firmly believe that he would receive the
same treatment that is said to nave been
administered to the gentleman OF ';iat name
i'll sheol. Our opportunities for l. ag (were
we so inc!ined) are rather limited, CONVEX
satiOn being prohibited under penalty OF
punishment. excepting so far as to further
our work. and then under supervision of an
officer There are only three holidays in
year, when we are allowed to come tOgeth
er to compare notes. etc. Some Of us then
in recounting our exploits are prone to eN-
aggerate, but due allowance should be mad.
for lost opportunities. On the whole l am
inclined to agree with Phoenix" that
comparatively speaking the truth meets with