The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-12-18

perfectly balanced who thinks that, because
a prisoner knows right from wrong. it fol-
lows to certainty that he is for that
reason perfectly sane, and for that reason
always accountable for his acts? If such be
the correct standard for responsibility, then
prison punishments can be easily deter
mined. remember we'll the first punish
ment l ever witnessed in prison. 1t was
nearly twenty seven years ago. l had been
but few days in charge of an institution,
where misdemeanants were imprisoned.
Few only were under conviction for crime.
Prisoners were received from the police sta
tbns at nine O'Clock, each morning. They
came, with the usual evidences of debauch
after their arrival. they were bathed,
clothed, and, if deemed by the receiving Of
ficer to be able to work, we're Immediately
sent to the shops. There was no delay
about this. Sitting in my office one morn
ing, heard cries as it from person in great
pain. from voice in workshop hundred
or more yards away. l went to the shop
entering at its rear door, the most
remote door from the Office. walked as
hastily as could along up its center, on
either side of which were benches, and
heavy machinery in full motion. with noise
sufficient seemingly. to have overwhelmed
all human voice. At the benches and ma.
chimes were many prisOners-nOt one at
work. All industry had ceased. Their
bodies were facing the head of the work.
shop. Some were making gestures, as if
under the most intense excitement, and ut
tering blasphemOus Oaths. Others stood
mOtiOnless, as if dazed at the sight of the
intlictiOn of pain. Others still, with fren-
zied, fitful, maniacal laugh. and with faces
livid with anger, were walking to and fro
craZed, as it were, at the sight before them.
And others, the less numerous of all, were
with hands pressed to their fOreheads.
mOtiOnlesS- -Statues-whOSe last thought
seemed to have been. my God! why such
inhumanity as this!'
At the time a novice as warden, and un-
used to the sight of human suffering; know
ing nothing of the necessities for extraOr.
dinary puniShments as the only means
through which to make prisoners better
men; with voice till then almost effeminate
in tone, but now changed to the voice of
one as having authOrity-''Cu that man
down." But the answer was, why, Pm
Furnishing him!' "Cut that man downw
was the renewed command.
Was that wardens mind perfectly bal
anced? The officer thought it was not.
guess; for he said later, to fellow officer,
THAT man will destroy our discipline, if he
keeps on that wayp' But that man" has
often said to himself Poor. weak, ire
spOnsible creature that am! Unable now
to comprehend the forces physical,
and mOral-that prompt men to do strange
acts, wrong acts. wicked acts-when come
to know that am perfectly sane, then
may be able to so justly determine as to
others responsibility that need never act
upon impulse. Until that time, will en-
deavOr to so control my nclinations that,
when called into action, they shall be to-
ward the prevention of inhumanity any
In that prison were
balls with chains and shackleS, the elevator.
which was in use ON the occasion mentioned.
the crucifiX. and the coffin, as means through
which to infict bodily pain, as correctives
and deterrents, when occasion required.
The man who said, ''That man will destroy
our discipline, if he keeps on that way"
was complainant, prosecuting attorney.
judge, and eXecutiOner-waS mere guard
in prison workshop. receiving nominal
salary as such, with additional cOmpensa-
tiOn from prison contractors. for services
rendered as an industrial instructor! The
man who was punished had been received
on the morning of that day; and the merid-
ian hour had not as yet appeared. The fol-
lowing day-pOOr fellOw!-'sick and in
prison." with mind crazed from the effects
of riOtOus living. and whose tongue gave
expression to wild and horrible vagaries,
causing the attendants to shudder at the
distorted and terrible fancies of brain in
delirium. from the excessive use of intOx-
cating drinks!