The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-01-23
The Educational Problem.


Upon receipt of late issue of THE MIR
ROR, my attention was Immediately directed
to the article on first page, entitled ''Des-
troy the Cave. Ignorance and You Destroy
the Mole, Crime" ably written by Ronda
The writer will entertain no little pleasure
in reading this communication from the
columns Of your next issue. as it is his de-
sire to, in measure, comment upon the
suggestions and views of ROnda, while at
the same time his own ideas with reference
to educating the prisoner who may be in
need of such. will be advanced. Ronda
does not eXaggerate when he states that
ten per cent of the inmates of this nstitl-
tion are solely devoid of the knowledge of
books in any form. not being able to read
or write. He might double the estimate
and then hit wide of the mark on the min
imam side and yet say with absolute safety
that for every man who is at present incar
cerated within the chilly walls of the Still
water resort. and is not master of the com
mon accomplishment of being able to read.
write and figure in moderate way, you
will find in other prisons-those of the
South especially referred tO-these persons,
who mourn the loss of time which was. to
use the words of Father Murphy. 'devoted
IN idlenesS, sport, eating and drinking dur
ing their youth, when they should have
been improving their time in studying, and
thereby have acquired. at least. the
1n lyvny fnHfr ft,nfp
hearts could now find comfort"
lnaSmuch as it is a fact too willingly
conceded by every Intelligent person, that
the proper time for teaching such persons is
while they are young. and their minds in
proper condition for such training, it is also
fact that grand mistake is being made
by those who have these matters under
their control, by their looking upon the
matter with a view that it is too ate.''
The talented gentlemen who fill our pul-
pits of to day-either orthodox or liberal
will i'll true concurrence with each others
opinions, pour into the ears of their atten-
tive audience. with elOQuence that would
have astounded us few decades back, that
1t is never too late to do good" 1t is
never too late to seek wisdom" and last
but not least, [ will say. Never too late
to search the Scripture and repent for the
quotations of mighty meaning may be. and
the necessity of their being placed before
the inmate over and over again until the
lines are indelbly engraved upon his or her
mind being acknowledged as most essential
and absolute. 1t is yet true that the cry
should also be, ''educae the convict"
TO educate is to develop the mind and
change the channels of thinking; and to ac-
complish this is the road to reform. [ am
not willing, however. to agree with Ronda
in saying that education and ightenmept
in general should precede religious teach
ngS. Nothing should take precedence over
religious teachings. yet | am ready to admit
that education properly promoted will nat
urally advance people in all things; and
the more you educate person whether con-
vlct or citizen, the nearer (aS a rule) will
you draw him to the knowledge and the
acknowledged importance of the divine laws.
The elementary laws of our government
and states are based. or intentlv so. upon
the divine laws. and if 1.-THE end of all law
is obedience" humanity ShOnld be taught
to observe and obey the laws which corrupt
legislatures cannot or dare not attempt to
eliminate or revise; and what are known as
our courts of justice (f their be such) need
no time in which to listen to discussions as
to their cOnStitEtiOnality.
This, friend ROnda claim is sound logic
and if not i'm true conformity with your well
considered views. can only say that l re,
gret having been apprsed of that fact.
1t is not only the convict who is entirely
illiterate that might be taught to advantage
within the walls of our prisons. There are
scores of intelligent and fairly educated
young men among us who might be in
duced to think that there is something bet
ter to follow than committing crime, and if
they were put through practical CONNER
cial course. Their resolutions might be bet