The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-03-27
THE G. l.. s. G..

THE G. l.. s. C.
The question of forming Chautauqua
Literary and Scientific Circle in this prison
has been agitated from time to time during
the past year. By the Warden's permis-
sion few of the inmates held a meeting in
to talk the matter over. A circular was
read setting forth the aims and methods of
the organization; letters from parties who are
interested in the matter outside were read.
and the whole subject was informally dis
cussed. 1t was agreed that if the funds to
buy the required books could be raised
those present at least would apply for men,
bership. Some thought that all the inmates
should be invited to begin at one time, while
others were of the opinion that the better
way would be to first organize a class of
about twenty members of those men most
likely to take a lively interest in the matter
and give it a good start. Personally we
think the latter the more advisable plan;
because, in the first place. it is always best
to begin new enterprise on a small scale
and then increase it as experience and re-
suits seem to warrant and in the second
place. there is always large number ready
to jump into new undertaking blindly
who will drop out as soon as the newness
OF the experience wears off, Let one class
be formed first and if it is found to be sue
cess let other classes be added as rapidly
as prudence may dictate. Any attempt to
organize on a large scale would greatly
endanger the probable success of the under
taking. If once successfully started there
is little doubt but that it would meet with
the hearty encouragement of the prison
management, and it would be a matter of
only few months before every inmate de-
string to become a member would be en-
rolled. That the Chautauqua Literary and
Scientific Circle may gain firm hold in
this prison is greatly to be desired. 1t
would be prOmotive of much good to the
inmates in many ways, and would lead us
to make efforts at self-improvement.
and thus gain something to offset in
part what we lost in character and reputa-
ton by becoming convicts. The experiment
has been tried and proved successful in at
least two other prisons-the Nebraska state
prison and the Massachusetts refOrmatOry;
but each circle has been worked up to its
present proportion from small beginning.
The best advice in this matter is to ''go
Slow" The following from late number
of the Chautauquan, magazine. the organ
of the G. l.. S. c.. shows how the move
ment has taken hold in the Nebraska state
prison:
The splendid success of the Chautauqua work
in the Nebraska state penitentiary ought to be a
source of pride to everybody in Chautauquadom,
and especially to the graduates since it was under
their auspices that the work begun. and it is
by them that it fostered. Since our last report
in the January issue of the magazine the circle
has increased to forty five members. A CORE.
! spondent writes:
1--WE have in this ma tier the unqualified favor
and assistance of the warden and chaplain sub.
ject of course, to strict observance of the rules,
regulations and discipline of the institution; and
we especially favored in the fact that the
husband of one of the most active members of the
S. H. G. is secretary of manufacturing company
whose Office is within the walls; he employs up
ward of 200 men. knows them personally, and is
just much interested in this work any Of us
are, and is ready to aid and further it. y -
Books and magazines were ordered as soon we
started, and the names arranged in divisions A B
c, and of six each, SO that one set Of books and