The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-04-10

Continued From First Page.)

UAClu ONCIs DuO L uO pdoU 10 SOuCs tuO
stern present is here, and we are told by
these men that the future will only be more
crime and more Imprisonment Fellow
prisoners, L trust that our hearts are not so
Steeled to wrOng-dOing. and if not there
must be a reason why these men cannot
see any virtue in us. There Is cause not
found in the criminal alone, but in the very
methods employed in some of the prisons
of our land. There can be no good results
obtained where men are used harshly;
where there is no coming together OF the
men. where even the slightest infringementS
of the rules of the prison Though often
done unintentiOnally) are met with severe
discipline and puniShment;Where the men,
tai faculties are constantly diminishing for
the want of something which would elevate
and ennOble them. And lastly there can
be no reformation accomplished where no
friendly words of advice are given and the
mantle OF sweet charity is forever hidden
from view. Fear may retard a few pris-
OnerS from committing crime again, but
down deep in their hearts they bear the
consciousness of having been wronged, and
must forever bear the closest scrutiny of
their fellOwmen.
Criminal institutions were never erected
to make criminals. They were intended to
reform; but until such methods are applied
DIS w III ItdCIl tIlt UCIttI 1ttllISS VI Ullc DIlS
Oners. they must remain what they are to.
day in great SenSe-nurSerieS of criminals.
Prejudice and old customs in this issue, if
the criminal must face the world with any
hope of success to society, must be done
away with. | know there are criminals
hardened in crime and whose reformation
would be attempted with but poor results;
but even in these cases the government
would be relieved of any responsibility in
the matter 1t would then be the crimi-
nal's faults and he should be given to I'M
derstand that if he returned he should have
to prove his worth before any refOrmatOry
privileges were granted to him. But above
all. men entering prisons should be used as
men. Officers should be appointed for their
capability; they should be of a kind dis
position but stern when occasion demanded.
They should mete out punshments TEN
pered with mercy in an unimpassiOned
manner, and should always bear in mind it
is the peoples wishes, and not their own
they must carry out in this question of re-
form. The prisoners should be given to
understand that their reformation lies in
their own hands. They should at all times
be respectful to their superiOrS; they should
endeavor to live up to the rules of the in
SttutiOn, and always bear themselves with
good manners and department. BY organ
iZatiOns. schools, lectures. entertainments,
(such as we have in this institution, thanks
to the humane spirit of love which animates
the heart of our noble Superintendent, by
coming together and talking over matters
with one another by friendly advice and
counsel from those who have been placed
over us; by intoxicating spirit of love for
one another. there can be accomplished
more lasting benefits to prisoners and so.
ciety than all the harsh measures can ever
hope to attain. When such methods as |
have talked over to you tonight, gentle
men. shall be employed in the prisons of
our land, believe that we can then meet
these men face to face, and prove their
present assertions to be false. In cOnclu-
sion, gentlemen, we must bear in mind that
our task is great one. There are many
obstacles we must SurmOunt, many difficult
ties must be overcome. The road to sue
cess contains many rugged stretches. A
small decline from the right path over
throws and paralyzes, but with pluck per-
severance and energy, with a firm reliance
on Him who does all things for the best.
we must and shall be crowned with victory.
The dark clouds which at present sur
round our unhappy lives shall be dispelled
by the warm glow of the eastern sky, and
we shall become what our Creator intended
we should be- honest and industrious men.
AS Massachusetts, has ever been in the
vanguard of human progress and reform, so
may she ever stand upon this question
beacon light of truth and justice; guide
for other states to follow; and the bright
and radiant illumination of the world in this
great question of prison reform.-From
"Our Paper" Massachusetts, Reformatory.
In the municipal court at Fredericksburg
there was last month pronounced sentence