The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-12-05
graceful manner l feel as much embarrass-

graceful manner, feel as much embarraSS-
ment as does the rustic swain in first in
terview with prospective sweetheart, and
if fail to meet the requirements of the
occasion in proper manner, l trust the
kind hearted reader will attribute it not
only to my native modesty, but will make
due allowance for the fact of my having
been so long exied from the particular
-four hundred with whom 1 was wont to
mingle in days of yore.
In delivering my parting message, l will
briefly contrast the condition of my present
place OF abode, at the time of my enterance,
with that which prevails now as l am about
making my exit. At the time of my ar
rival here the old time method OF making
men better (?) (which had been in vogue
since our grandfatheIs' days. was still IN
full swing; for nearly dozen years. there
had been no prison legislation, and to the
candidates for reformation. the outlook for
betterment of their condition seemed any
thing but encouraging, and it appeared as
if they were by all the world forgotten. In
taking up his residence here. the newly
admitted member was put through process
which well nigh transformed him out of all
semblance to the ''genus homo: not con-
tent with denuding him of the capillary
adOrnment with which his face might hap
pen to be decorated. discipline also insisted
upon so clipping the locks which cover the
Uranium that the vereSt tyrO in phrenOlOgy
could locate every individual bump at a
glance:in the matter of attire there was no
choice allowed, only take what was given
and the less remOnStrance made as to fit or
quality the better: to suggest all improve
ment in the bill of fare was considered trea l.
sOnabe, any verbal communication with a
fellow priSOner-unless to further work
was prohibited. and the penalty imposed
for violation of this rule. was fine and
Imprisonment in dungeon; amuSements or
entertainments were entirely out of order
and the sermons and singing of Sundays
was the only relief from the mOnOtOny of
our week day existence. Now 1 don't men
ton those things by way of rejecting upon
those who had the management OF affairs
in their hands at the time of which |
write-they were but following in the beaten
path OF their predecessors. and the period
had not yet arrived at which there was to
be change for the better. 1t is now about
three years since organized labor made a
formal demand upon the representatives
of each political party. for the abolition of
convict labor by contract, thus draw
ing public attention to the prison. and
from that time dates the beginning
of the vast improvement in our condition.
That penolOgists and prison refOrmers gen.
orally. have contributed very materially in
bringing about the better state of affairs
now existing in this and other prisons. no
person who has observed their proceedings
will hardly venture to deny; and the most
recent proof of this is shown in the import
ant recommendations made by the Prison
Congress lately in session at Nashville,
Tenn. The mode of procedure there adj
vanced by Warden Hatch for the reforma-
ton of the convict. seems not only feasible,
but appears to meet with the hearty con-
currence of those for whose benefit it is in
tended. The new code of prison laws for
this state, enacted by the last legislature,
are far more liberal than those heretofore
in existence; and when their beneficent
provisions in regard to education and other
matters are given full play. the wisdom of
the advanced methods of treating criminals
will become apparent to the most skeptical.
AS l leave you, my friends. my heartfelt
sympathy goes out to you who have long
years yet to remain. Keep your eyes to the
front and hope with me for your speedy re-
lease GOOd-by. TAMMANY.