The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-02-21
Curiosity Seekers.

the prison, as to what are the thoughts that
pass through their minds. and what is
usually the prime pie that prompts them to
come and look at large collection of
criminals. The grand majority must be
prompted by feelings of pure curiosity,
and take inn the place JUST to see what a
convict looks like. The impression that is
effaced in a few days. There is much that
these people might learn if they only
wanted to-; much that would benefit them
and broaden their scanty stock of ideas.
But even if we were to thrust these lessons
right under their noses they would not see
them, for the simple reason that they do
not want to. Why should they? 1t is
something that they are supremacy indiffer
ent about, and whether the convict lives or
dies is of little or no moment to them.
They pass along the galleries and peep
into neat, tastly arranged cell, showing
signs of a little refinement and care, and
they say one to another: why. this isn't
such bad place to live in. There are
plenty of poor devils on the outside of these
walls that would be justly proud of such
home" But let this self-same person be
locked up in one of those cells with the
prospect OF saying to himself: Well |
have nine hundred and ninety nine more
dayS-that is twenty three thousand, eight
hundred and eight hours. Great Heaven.
will the time ever gO!' and | am inclined
to think that they would alter their opinion,
and say that prison cell is the worst hole
on earth to live in. no matter now nicely
furnished it might be.
The public does not appreciate what it is.
when they hear of a man being sentenced
to three. five or ten years. No one can ap-
preciate it who has not been there himself
and tried it. 1t sounds very simple to say.
that so anu-So has been sentenced for only
three years: but those three years will revO-
lutiOnze man. and turn him ont at the
end of his sentence as though from a new
mould. Three years alone: cut off from
everything and everybody-think of it.
The parole system, and board of pardOns,
if instituted. will be the grandest depart
ures this state has ever known. l know
ten or twelve men. and my circle of &C.
quaintances is not very extended. who are
to day being detained in this institution
contrary to all the laws of judgment, right
and advancement These men are being
restrained from their liberty through mere
WI anu q OCSllC HoU W cHUcI tic IlSky
paths of new enterprise. These men are
being kept from the ones they love best on
earth. and may be the only stay and sup
port that those loved ones have. No one
is being benefited by their imprisonment,
whereas many are being wrOnged, and if
they were released they would grace any
community in which they settled. But
were a state official to release these men
what howl would 90 up from the igno-
ramuses all over the state; who know just
as much about prisoner or the causes that
make one, as tadpOle does about geOlOgi.
cal surveys.
l have. on several occasions, seen the old
spirit of persecution manifested. when it
was known that certain man, who might
have committed a notorious crime. was
pardOned; and am surprised that editors.
who ought to be men of refinement and
liberal ideas. and usually are should lend
their paper to be the organ of such Scurvy
blatants. These men who denOunce a
governor for performing an act of justice
and mercy. are the ones who 60 through
here with friend. point a convict out and
say: James, can see murder written on
that mans brow as plainly as though [ had
seen him commit the deed;" when the
chances are ten to one that the unfortunate
devil he referes to is here for felOniOusly
anu "ioii iIioiiSO olOlCluOuSHG puIIOiIlluS,
stealing and carrying away one pair of
pants to the value of 81.
These people work me up to such a
pitch when l read their senseless, one
sided bigotry, that quite frequently choke
with Indignation. and say to myself, with
good deal of earnestness: IF l were
governor Of this state [ would pardon all
those men who were deserving of pardon,
just to show who was running this thing"
Yes would. **