The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-02-11
A PRISON AGENT APPOINTED.

the subject, an agent has been appointed to
look after the interests of ex-cOnvicts. At
the Joint meeting of the boards of mana
gers of the state prison and the state re-
formatory. held at the capitol on the 4th
inst, Col Clarke Chambers of OwatOnna
was elected State Prison Agent by unan-
imOus vote. His salary will be $1,000 a
year and expenses. A committee consisting
of Supt. Myers and Judge Keith, of the
refOrmatOry. and Warden Garvin and Gen.
NOrriSh of the state prison, was appointed
to prepare rules to govern the agent In his
actions. He will probably assume the
duties of his Office next month. Of course
the extent of his success will depend greatly
on his qualifications for the Office. and the
amount of energy he puts into the work.
But Col. Clarke Chambers is said to be
eminently fitted for the position, not only
because of his personal qualities, but be-
cause of his wide range of acquaintance in
the state. But all does not depend Oh the
agent. If the men aided to safe footing
prove unworthy of the aid given them they
will lessen the abilities of the agent to help
others, and vice versa. There will be one
less excuse left for discharged prisoners re-
turning to criminal ways. for they will not
be allowed to say that they could not find
place to earn living. The excuse, though
a'poor one. is often we'll founded. 1t is an
easy matter to philosophize about being
heroic and to say that there is a way
wherever there is will. but philosophy in
the abstract is poor comfort to an empty
stomach and wounded and spurned spirit.
The agent should be man that can enforce
fair treatment for his wards, and he should
have charity enough in his soul to overlook
such faults in an eX convict as are excused
in those who have not had the stigma
placed upon them. 1t should not be left
alone to the agent to put the discharged
prisoner on a safe footing. but every good
citizen should, in aid of public welfare.
give their influence to help the work along.
if not for humanity's sake then for the sake
state is lending it's voice to the cause. The
Evening Tribune, after commencing the
appointment. says. editOrially:
Reformatory work within prison walls is almost
worthless without supplementary aid to the prs-
after he has gone out into the world again.
The average poor mans struggle for livelihood
is discouraging enough at the best How utterly
dark must be the prospect to him who goes forth
under the opprobious burden of a convict's name.
He may obtain employment by concealment of his
record but day his betrayer will pass that way
and his instant dismissal will follow. Driven from
pillar to post, the poor fellow, however earnest
and honest his intention to reform, is soon broken
in spirit and bereft of hope. Crime starvation
become his only remaining alternatives and the
penitentary gates eventually close upon him
again. Many man is thus driven into the ranks
of professional criminals, who, if aid had been ex
tended at the proper time. would have been
redeemed to good citizenship.
The Pioneer Press gives its approval in a
leading editorial. The Press says that ''ur
to the present time the convict has beer
compelled to face alone world in which he