The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-04-21
DThe World Against Him.

DThe World Against Him.
Tears stood in the eyes of the spectators of the
criminal term of the superior court at Buffalo,.
N. Y, when Peter Dubois told the story of his life.
He was indicted for horse stealing and pleaded
guilty. When Judge Hatch asked him if he had
anything to say the man looked the judge squarely
in the face and said:
IL am guilty. Do your worst and send me
long you can. l was convicted of stealing nine
years ago. Well, went to prison and served my
term. When 1 left prison decided to live an
honest life, but the world is against me. got out
and went to work at the Gilbert works. The
foreman knew that 1 was an ex.convict. 1 did not
stay to draw my pay. but left. At last got work
with another firm. told the manager that was
an ex.convict. thatI wanted to reform. In a short
time detective came and said the superintendent
had sent him to see how was getting along. The
manager wrote letter to Superintendent Morey
telling him to keep the detectives away, that he
knew my history. got along for q while and was
happy with my wife and family. Two detectives
came and asked about me Friday and Sat.
urday was discharged. 1 don't know what did.
have no recollection of stealing this horse and
buggy. and as had not drank in seven years, the
liquor made me mad" Then his voice grew
Punish me you will. will not take my liberty
and stay here. tried to live an honest life, but
the detectives would not let me. l want the long.
est sentence possible"
Justice Hatch showed much emotion and post.
poned sentence. The mans story caused great
deal of comment and effort will be made to
give him another chance.-Exchange.
The above is a common occurrence in all
our large cities. but seldom reaches the.
public. Many an ex convict has been
turned back to crime by just such treat
ment. Those who have had the pleasure
of reading Lies Miserables." Victor Hugo's
masterpiece. remember Inspector Javert.
and with what determined and cruel per-
sistency he bounded Jean Vatican. The
ex- cOnvicts of to day have to contend with
just such men in detectives of our large
cities. There are very few of them that
will not arrest an ex convict on sight. it
matters not whether he has committed a.
crime or nOt-the name lex convict" is
enough. He has half dozen aliases put to
his name, is represented as a dangerous
criminal who is very cleverly eluding the
authorities. But now the community will
NC SdlO OuCC AlCOl UCIHS PAOOO-
graphed for the rOgues' gallery. he is taken
to the police court and is either sent to the
workhouse or given hours to leave the city.
He may be struggling to lead an honest
life. he may be earning an honest living;
that makes no difference to the average de-
tective who claims that "Once thief
always thiet." and works on that princi-
pie. Many discharged convict has been
met at the very prison gate after serving his
term, and told to get out of town. This is.
his treatment wherever known and is only
beginning. This is not the treatment of
every ex convict. but is fair sample of
those who are classed as clever. or have
gained the i'll will of the police. After be-
ing harassed and bounded still having the
name of thief. he becomes discouraged and
falls back in the old life and is lost.
Michael Dunn knew from experience
with what the ex- convict had to contend,
and devoted his life to saving others; and
was known and loved by hundreds of eX-
cOnvicts whom he had saved from a life of
crime. The public has begun to see that it
is almost impossible for the ex convict to
lead an honest life. unless he is protected
and given chance Thus we have the
Prison Agent. who l hope will have the
courage to say. Hands off. Mr.. Detective;
this man is under my protection and shall
be given a chance before he becomes your
prey" We will then have fewer profess
siOnal thieves and more useful and honest.
citizens j. ID.