The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-08-28

| some we'll ll-intentiOned people who are too
tender hearted to call a wealthy plunderer
thief, and therefore use the term ''klep-
| tOmaniac," though it is not unfrequently
claimed as an argument by others of very
| illiberal and unchristianlke turn of mind,
who declare ''Once a criminal, always a
| criminal"
There is, of course. an occasional excep-
tion to all rules-and, therefore, there may
have been an isolated instance, here and
there, in which criminalitY has appeared to
be hereditary in a family; but which, on
vigilant investigation, would be found to be
the result of evil associations and bad ex
| ample. We know of a number of instances
| in which the children of vicious and crimi-
nal parents have been permanently sepa-
rated from their parents and educated un-
der healthy moral influences, who have not
only become hOnOred and honorable men,
bers of the community, but have held the
vices of their parents in utter adherence.
We do not attempt to dispute the fact
that. in our penal institutions; as we'll as
among those who are now enjoying their
liberty outside prison walls-there are many
| instances where two or more members of
one family may be ranked as criminals; but
the reason for this is not to be found in the
phrase ''hereditary." 1t can be traced d.
rectly to their surroundings and associa-
tions. An illustration or two will suffice.
A B, is man of 40 years of age, we will
say; has no trade to his hands; has served
one or two terms in prison, and finds diff
ficulty in getting work. He lives in the
back slums of the city, surrounded by
number of unfOrtunateS like himself He
has wife and four or five children. Being
an affectionate father, his children believe
| in him; think father cannot do wrong; and
| therefore, when they see him get drunk.
| hear him swear; and listen to some of the
thrilling stories of his adventures he relates
| to his comrades, his little boys think it
manly to initiate their father in all his acts,
| or SympathiZe with him, or, when they are
old enough, do as their father has done, for
want of something better to do. Had these
children been removed from these influences,
| they would not have been found in the
criminal ranks.
Let us take another instance. G D.
man who has moved in the upper ranks of
life. but has become reduced in condition,
improvident and indOlent. He has paid the
usual penalty for illegal acts, and. after his
release, finds all avenues of employment
shut against him. He is under constant
surveillance and suspicion by the police;
and being naturally man of revengeful
disposition, gives utterance to his thoughts
before his children, who are growing up to
manhood. Is it surprising. then. that one
or more of his offspring should find their
way to houses of correction and similar in
sttutiOnS?
Still another illustration. Here is young
man. who. from vanity or recklessness. has
made bis first false step. He is convicted
and sentenced to serve long term in prison.
His friends have turned their backs upon
him. and he feels that he has lost all hope.
His wife and young children are languish-
| ing in poverty in neighbOrhOOd where
neither moral nor natural light is to be had.
While in prison he becomes associated with
wool dyed criminals who laugh at his ef-
forts to reform and lead him to thoughts of
vengeance. His term expires. and he fails
in obtaining employment. While lOafing
about in search of work. he is re-arrested,
on suspicion, and is sent back to the prison
from whence he came. Meanwhile, his
scale of degradation. and some of them
eventually join him in his bonds.
Our prisons are full of such cases. Our
So called charitable institutions for the care
OF the fugitive and destitute children of our
cities TEEN with the offspring of our acci-
dental and despairing criminals. These
men would have gladly quilted the paths of
the transgressOr themselves, and snatched
their beloved offspring from the miseries
and temptations they have suffered. had
only chance been given them. Is it not
idle and wicked. therefore, to talk about
hereditary crimnality," and try to shelter
ourselves behind the responsibility which
such plea implies; when we know full
we'll that the sole cause of the increase of
crime and the number of criminals is the
vicious surroundings and associations of the
rising generation, the apathy or Indifference
of the public at large as to the future of its
offenders; and the absurd and iniquitOus