The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-10-13
Wonderful Progress.

When we compare to-day with the
past, we are astounded at the wonder
full progress made in the last century,
not only in the way of inventions and
discoveries but at the many things that
have been done for the advancement,
comfort and education of the people.
We no longer persecute a man because
he does not think as we do ON matters
of religion. We don't burn women for
witches, nor brand soldiers with the
letter 3D. when they desert from the
army: we have done away with corpo-
raj punishment in the navy and the
prisons, and slavery is unknown. Every
honest citizen is allowed to vote, and
so has share in making the laws of his
country.
Having done all this one would think
there was nothing more to be wished
for vet there is still room for improve
ment; and we have to-day evils that our
ancestors never dreamed of. 1t is true
that they had little to say about making
the laws, but we are supposed to have
a great deal to say on that subject; and
we do have so far as electing our men
to Office is concerned. But when the
men get in office then we don't seem to
have anything to say. Our forefathers
never knew what "bOOdle' alderman
was, and never heard about fat-con-
tracts. Men took office in those days
for the honor of the position, and not
for what was to be made out of it. How
many men to-day do the same? There
are not many of the Washington and
Lincoln stamp left; they are scarce, and
the country does not seem able to raise
any more like them. When men go in
to the council chambers of our cities
poor, and after serving few terms be-
come rich and are able to control the
votes in their wards, then there is some
thing wrong. When city council gives
street car company a twenty-five
years franchise for right of way on all
the principal streets, grant sole privi-
legeS to gas, electric light and water
companies, leaving them the right to
charge the people whatever they like
for its use, then it is time to make a
change. When, as in the South, men
are sold to SyndicateS to work in mines
and lOgwOOd camps like slaves, what
becomes of our nineteenth century adj
vancement? Where does our religious
liberation shine forth, when we are told
that we must not go to picture gallery,
museum, or take our children to the
baths or go to see the Worlds fair on
the Sabbath but must take the choice
between the church or the saloon?
What good are our high wages when we
have to give Messrs. Broadcloth & Co.
forty dollars for twenty dollar suit of
clothes, and have to pay double price
for all the neceSsaries of life? What
chance has the workingman, when he
has to oppose syndicate of million
aires who control nearly every impOr
tant industry in the country, including
the railroad and telegraph? With all
our advantages and our claims to liber
ty, equality, and fraternity, there is a
growing mOneyed aristocracy that in
the end will prove more dangerous than
all the noble lords, and dukes of Europe
combined-an aristocracy that not only
has power over the working people
but also the power to make laws to suit
themselves, to tax the necessities of life
and let in diamonds and seal skin
sacques free of duty. 1 don't uphold
anarchism, socialism, communism, nj
hilism nor fenianism, and I am aware
that there will always be some rich men,
but hold that there is a vast difference