The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-11

his HONEST opinion, would say that he did
not believe it was wrong to steal. Perhaps
Phoenix has met such characters, and II
they do exist they are exceedingly rare.
and the same argument Phoenix applies t
.Gartield's fame is applicable in the case he
mentions.
DO you argue that because man is q
professional thief and follows the vocation
for years. or even for life. that he believes
he is conducting legitimate business?
cannot believe that you do. | fancy thai
this last statement would meet with Z
prompt reply from Observer. who would
cite the stOckbroker OF the operator on the
grain exchange in support OF such an argu
ment; but | am merely alluding to the elias:
who violate our criminal laws. and not those
who plunder within the pale OF them. 1t i:
by no means the mere detection and pun
ishnlent for crime that effects reformation
in a man. There must be a much stronger
bereavement than mere forced labor anC
deprivation of liberty. to awaken that feel
ing that l believe lies buried in every man:
heart and can be awakened if the righ
source is found, although in very man,
cases it follows that man may spend the
greater part of his life as a criminal before
the necessary means are discovered tina
will bring him TO full realization of what
he really is, not only in the sight of God
but also in his own opinion. Thus it is no
to be wondered at that man who from in
fancy has been thrown in contact witt
crime, perhaps contaminated by the int1u
ence of his own parents. should reach tht
period of life when he should be able to de
eide against such a life and yet not do SO
but willingly follow it on to the end. Do
think that such II man is to be condemned
because he prideS himself as being what i:
commonly called an expert crook? Yes.
undoubtedly do; but l also feel that he is
| fit subject for pity, on account of his ina
blity to see himself in his actual condition
[ feel perfectly safe in saying that there i
hardly man within these walls who from
choice is professional crook, who does no
possess lasting affection for some one
either father, mother, sister. brother. wifi
or child. whom he would constantly strive
to keep in ignorance of his mode of life
and to whom he would under no crcum
stances admit that he was doing what HI
believed to be honorable. There may bt
cases similar to the one Phoenix quotes wht
would express himself in such a manne
but, Ito quote Ph9niX) they are the eXcep
tiOnS that prove his argument; if not why
does he cite this one? 1t is true beyond
question that poverty is one of the princpa
incentives to crime, but what percentage O.
the criminal classes to- day within the prison
walls of this country can bring forth poverty
as an excuse for their lives? Do not mis-
understand me in this. know, and every
one knows. that a man may be forced BY
poverty to commit a crime in order to sup
ply those necessities Of life which he il
in need OF, but what l claim is this tha
very few men who commit crime unde
such circumstances follow it as a profession
in after life. 1t is frequently the plea O
the professional" that he is the victim o.
circumstances. He has from CHILDHOOD
been compelled to battle with the world,
and when at last he stands convicted before
the bar of justice he becomes Paul Cliff
fOrd'' in his defence by claiming that the in
justice shown to him on former occasions
by judges has forced him into a life Of
crime. 1t is very convenient defense. in
fact. the only one he feels he can bring
forth with any chance of obtaining mercy
at the hands Of the court: but we all know
he does not believe in any such argument
A man who is professional crook. is sc
from CHOICE and nothing else. Poverty
may excuse him for the first crime or even
the second. but after that it ceases to shield
him. and if he still persists in crime, he
does so wholly from free will choice. We
have all been the victim of circumstances in
some manner, or we have been driven by
poverty to commit a crime; many have beer
punished for the crimes of others. III
either instance we are entitled to the SYM
pathy of all fair-minded people; but il
after entering again upon the world we seek
and pursue the life of crime we are un.