Mountain Home bulletin. (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1888-1889, 1889-01-05
POLITICAL PRISONERS,



How Irish Nationalist Are Abused In -
glish Penal Institutions.
Under the recent British Crimes act,
mn.y Irishmcn notably a number Of
Irish members of Parliament--havo
been sentenced for political offences,
and committed TO prison. Their treat
ment while in prison has been the sub
ject OF excited discussion in England.
They have complained not only OF un-
healthy cells and bad food, but also
of being forced to wear the clothing
prescribed for ordinary criminals, and
to mingle with those criminals In
hours OF recreation. Not long ago o
prominent Nationalist. named John
Mandville, who had been imprisoned,
died a short time after his release, and
the cOronor's jury declared that he had
died from the effects OF ill-treatmcnt
by the prison authorities.
Mr.. Gladstone and his adherents de-
clare that such treatment OF mon who
have been found guilty. not OF social
crimes. but of-infcrior and purely po-
litical offenses, Ia not In accordance
with the practice OF civilized nations.
The Liberal leader. on recent occa-
sion. went yet further than this. and
asserted that not even the barbarous
and cruel King '.Bomba'' OF Naples
placed political criminals-at least,
those convicted of u less offense than
high treason--on a footing in prison
with murderors md thieves.
It is. quite true that civilized nations
In modern times have been in the habit
of making clear distinction between
political and other captives; and even a
London paper, friendly to the present
Tory Cabinet, declares that, in the
treatment Of the imprisoned Irishmen.
"England stands on level, not with
the advanced nations OF the world. but
with The most backward States"
After the civil war in this country,
the Confederate statesmen who were
alphabetically Jefferson Davis
were held in mild confinement, lodged
and fed well. and kept entirely sep
arate from the ordinary criminals
II is fact, moreover, that, In thei,
intercourse with each other, moderl
nations deal with the cases Of politica
prisoners as il they stood on a differen
footing from felons. Tho extraditio'
treaties provide for the return OF fugi
tive forgers, thieves and murderers
from the land whittier they have es
capped. to that in which they have com
mitted their crimes. But this is rarely
perhaps never, done by treaties. as
political refugees. Most countrie
give to the political offenders OF othe,
countries what is called .the right o.
asylum" II they once escape, they
may live without fear OF danger, in /.
land Of their adoption,
The instance Of the late Marshal
Bazaine. who has just died, after ;
troublous career. at Madrid. is in point
Tried and convicted OF high treason
he was at first sentenced to death. His
sentence WIS then committed to i'm.
prisonment for twenty years in the
fortress of Sainte Marguerite, famou,
as tho prison OF the Man in the Iror
Mask. In short time, by the aid Of {
heroic wife, the Marshal succeeded il
making his escape from the fortress ,ani
repaired to Spain. There in Madrid he
lived IN perfect safety. The French
Government did not demand that ht
should be given up.
1t sometimes happens that. ont Of
friendship. nation will give up K
another political refugee. But this
rarely happens. Switzerland Is to-day
secure place of refuge for Russian
conspirators and offenders against the
Cars crown; and England has fol
many years been the asylum OF Italians
Russians. Poles and Frenchmen who
have been guilty, ut homo, Of politica
offenses. Notable instances Of this were
Mazzini, who plotted to overthrow thu
Austrian Government at Venice, anC
was received with open arms by man,
eminent Englishmen; and Victor Hugo
who lived in serene exile for many
years on the Island OF Guernsey.
Hl-treatment Of political prisoners II
usually bad policy as we'll as contrary
to modern usage; or, ms the London
paper already quoted says: Petty and
degrading conditions OF punishment
will only help those to whom they are
subjected to be elevated to the position
of martyrs. - You.hs Companion.