davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-06-01


has been committed; that is to say, up
on the judge who passes sentence.
Hence it is we so often see men serving
first term in prison of twice or thrice
the length Of anOtherS, who is serving
a second, or even third term, though
both are charged with similar offenses.
In the first instance the offenders ina
bility to prove good character, prob
ably, had something to do with the
length of his sentence; and in the sec
Ond, the inability of the prosecution to
prove bad character was potent
factor in its brevity. If both these men
had stood before the same judge for
sentence, charged with similar Offenses,
and the judge, being cOgniZant of the
facts and the disparity of guilt, were to
sentence the old offender to one years
imprisonment and the other to three
years, would he not evidently be doing
an injustice? Granting this, does the
fact that the sentences are imposed by
different judges make the injustice any
the less? Yet such cases of injustice
(Or, had rather say of unequal justice)
come under the observation of prison
officials all too frequently. 1t may be
that the shorter sentence is adequate
for the OffenSe committed; in that case
the other is excessive; and it is unjust
in exactly the same degree that it is ex-
cesSive. There is error or injustice
somewhere. That these errors or in
justices exist, can be demonstrated in
this, and, | presume, in all other peni-
tentiaries, where the same system of
criminal judicature obtains; and, wheth-
er the wrong be upon society in the
inadeQuacy of the one sentence, or up
on the criminal in the excessiveneSs of
the other, the fact remains, that there
is something wrong in the system of
criminal judicature - - -@a
Now, if this state of affairs demon
strateS any one thing, it is that the
criminal courts are not the best quail
| fed mediums to determine what meas
ure of punishment shall be sufficient to
accomplish the two objects of the law;
the protection of society, and the refor-
nation, as well as, the punishment of
the criminal. Several plans have been
suggested, and, in some instances put
in operation, for the correction of these
defects notably the Board of Pardons,
the Indeterminate Sentence, and our
own Parole System; and it will be OBJ
served that each and all of these plans
trend to the placing of greater discre-
tionary power, in the matter of releas-
ing prisoners, in the hands of prison
officials. This, l think is as it should
be; and it will result in better protection
to society and more exact justice to the
prisoner. CADMUS.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-06-01
The Injustice Of Courts.

The laws of all civilized communities
prescribe for the criminal periods of
imprisonment varying in length accord
ing to the viciOuSneSs of his Offense,
and by leaving certain latitude be-
tween the maximum and minimum
periods of time that he may be required
to serve, it is presumed that the judge
who passes sentence will have room to
exercise his judgment, as to whether or
not there are extenuating circumstances
thatwill Justify him in being lenient to
the offender. Without a doubt, two
men may be charged with like crime,
and still not be equally criminal. The
man who is driven to crime by want or
misfortune, or commits deed of vio-
lence in moment of passion, is not
so much criminal as he who follows
thieving as livelihood in preference
to labor, or does deliberate violence;
and the law is right and just in allow
ing distinctions based upon circum-
stances. But is the trial Judge, upon
whom devOlves the duty of passing
sentence, always the best qualified per-
son to learn and judge of these circum-
stances? In some cases he may be; as
would happen when the offender has
lived long and is we'll known In the
neighbOrhOOd. In such case he can
readily acquaint himself with facts and
circumstances which will enable him to
pass just and intelligent Judgment.
But large proportion of those who are
sent to prison are men who have got in
to trouble in strange place. A breach
of the law is committed the offender is
arrested and thrown into Jail. The trial
comes on; an ex-parte statement of the
facts is made; he is found guilty, or
perhaps pleads guilty-and then comes
the matter of sentence. The Judge
knows nothing of the man beyond what
has developed at the trial, and the cul-
prlt being stranger and friendlesS,
has no means of satisfying the court,
other than his own unsupported state
ment, that he is not wantOn criminal.
His sentence is passed, based upon what
is knOwn-upOn what has been shown
in evidence, and the man is sent to pris-
on. If he is an old offender the less
light thrown upon his past, the better,
perhaps, for him; but if he is man who
has been driven to crime by force of
circumstances, rather than from incli-
nation-and there are many such, this
obscurity initiates against him. The
Judge cannot tell, from the little that
has been shown, to which of the two
classes he may belong, and the period
OF Imprisonment will be determined
principally upon the demonstrated facts
OF the case, and largely, even, upon
the character of the judge-whether he
be severe or lenient; and who will deny
that men differ widely in these qualities.
1t has been said that ones religious
faith depends in great measure upon
the place of ones birth; so, too, in a
sense, does ones punishment for crime
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-06-01
It Might Have Been.

Does prison life tend to deaden the
faculties of the mind that produce in
terest or purpose in the individual?
If not, why is it that so many criminals
have no other object in view, than to
serve out their sentence and regain
their liberty? Some may consider their
liberty enough to be interested in of it.
self. and so thinking, fold their hands
while not engaged in their daily labor
and let their minds sink into kind of
Rip Van Winkle sleep, of perhaps 5. 10.
or 20 years duration, or until the time
arrives for them to enter the world of
society again. Will no regret enter
| that mans mind in the evening of his
| life, that he failed to attain some ac-
complishment that he might have ac-
quired during those years of exile from
the outside world? Will he give utter
ance to the "saddest words of tongue
or pen," in saying: "It might have
been ?" Could we but look into the
hidden future, how great would be the
change in our lives, to fit ourselves for
the coming years. To those under the
iron hand of the law-the future has a
dark and gloomy aspect; it would seem
that the law, in depriving them of home
and liberty, drew dark curtain be-
tween their mind and the bright stars
of faith and hope. All things have lost
their beauty and sweetness to one so
afflicted: justice riveted its chains, not
only on his limbs, but also on his mind
Shylock could ask no more. Why
then should we wonder when we see the
hardened and cheerless visages of some
of our desperate criminals, as the press
of the country is pleased to style any
person who has the misfortune to get
in durance vie. | would like to ask
them, has the man or woman any reason
or cause to smile or beam happy looks
on the behOlder Of their disgrace and
shame? Then why be surprised that
the very name of criminal brings to
the mind a type of half beast and half
human, when such a gloomy prospect
O'ershadows his future, in having once
fallen into the muck of crime, and en-
the average strength of the intellects
we meet in prison, and consider the many
who have the capabilities of mind to
rise above the level to which weakness
or misfortune has brought them, how
many of such criminals receive the
credit for the trial or effort they may
make to lead better lives? Take, for
example some of the worst criminals,
whose lives have been followed from
childhood to the grave, and recorded in
the books of jails and prisons all over
the country, during their checkered
career of crime and convictions; how
many of them have confessed that, at
some period of their career, a bright
spark of hope entered their hearts, and
kindled desire for better and hap
pier life; but their past arose like a
gloomy spectre, and warned it off, or
the watch-dogs of society and law,
killed hope and faith by hunting them
to crime and degradation; and in after
years, while lying on his cot within
prison cell, the convict may with JUS
tice review the dark past and still more
gloomy future, and say, with a weary
sigh, "Ah, yes, 1t might have been.'"
PETORA
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-06-01
The poet has beautifully written:
There is tear for all who die,
mOnrnQr O'Qr tho hmm hIoct rro

'1n6fe Is tear for all who die,
A mourner Ger the humblest grave"
This is blessed thought, and should
cheer the heart of each one of us as we
sit in the lonely solitude of our prison
cell. Let no one think that he is en-
tirely forgotten. Somewhere on Gods
green earth there is heart aching in
pity for you, and longing to see you
free. You have not lived in the world
twenty or thirty years without making
friend; and that friend has not en-
tirely forgotten you. Some one has
said: True love never dies" and the
same may be said of true friendship.
Some day we will hear from the friend
whom we now accuse Of forgetfulness.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-06-01

We have laws against gambling, and
yet the fact was published all over the
country that Jim Keene won $1,5OO.OOO
on the deal that resulted in the down
fall of the cordage trust, and no arrests
have been made. Newsboys are jailed
for risking nickel at craps, and the
majesty of the law is vindicated and
apparently satisfied st. Paul Sat. Zoe.
NeaCS.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-06-01

The man that paints the town never
uses water r-cOlOrS.-PabcH.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-06-01

All the gestures of children are grace
ful.-.Sir Joshua Reynolds.
Morning journal and courier., 1893-06-09
4ru 6nnds.
Howe & StGtSOl.
NEW HAVEN.
Fourth
Week
Great
Dissolution
Sale.
---Despite
---Preva7ing
---DistWbances
---Our Great Sale
---Hums Along Merr3IE

The following values are receiving more
than their share of attention
800 dozen Willimantic best
six cord Spool Cotton, 3oc per
dozen; in black, white and col
ors; only one dozen to a Gus
toner; retail trade only.
Gents Fast Black Negligee
Shirts, soc, 75c and $l.oo each
special bargains.
The greatest 5c-a-yard line of
Wash Dress Goods ever seen,
embracing Bedford Cord Cling
hams, Homespun Suitings, Plain
Mixtures and Dark Printed
Serges, etc. Some of these goods
have retailed as high as 2Hc.
All going at SC per yard.
Special drive in genuine Kaiki
Wash Silks, 22 inches wide, at
soc per yard, worth 68c.
Greatest value in Striped Out
ing Flannels at 6Ac per yard
ever shown. Full pieces, perfect:
goods and not remnants. Reg
ular loc goods for 6Ac
Choice styles Silk Warp
Challies, 79c per yard, marked
down from $l.oo.
Ladies' Shirt Waists, all
grades, styles and shapes, at Dis
solution Sale prices. Our 38c
Waist is equal to any found
elsewhere at soc.
100 pairs Scotch Lace Cur
tains, 49c per pair-just the cur
tains for shore houses.
Genuine bargains in Ladies'
White Skirts at soc, 75c and 98c.
Ladies' Lisle Gloves, in colors
and black, at l5c per pair, worth
25c.
Morning journal and courier., 1893-06-09
BAR KS.

Little dogs bark the most because that
is all they can do.-Texas Siftings.
With all her money, there is one thing
MIRA Oldsirl don't own" What's thati"
"Her age."-Chicago Inter Ocean.
"Did you advise Howler to cultivate his
voicei" Eyes" "Ob, mercyI what forp
"a rsin-produclng machine. Chicago
Inter Ocean.
That boarder lacks feeling who in the
landlady's hearing begins to talk of the
leather trust when the beefsteak is brought
on.-Philadelphia Times.
"Why is It," she asked, "that stolen
kisses are always the sweetestp "I guess
It is because they are taken syrup-titious-
ly," he replisd.-Boston Courier.
"Begorry," said Mr.. Dolan as he read of
the Presidents preference for business
mon, "the way to get along in politics Is
to kspe ont av it"-Wsshington Star.
A Jolly Honeymoon horrid
article implies that You married me for
money. He-Well, don't contradict 1t. 1
don't care to be taken for q fool-Lifs.
Blobbs-Colonel Bloodyfeld's old war
traits still cling to him. Slobbs-How sof
Blobbs-I dined with him last night and
he gave the waiter no quarter.-Phils-
delphia Record.
Hustle (of the Blszer)-You must read
my paper. 1t Is the only paper of its kind
in the world. Simplegood-Is that sol
Really, you don't know how glad I am to
hear it.-Boston Transcript.
First Tramp-I found this here bottle o.
spring bitters In q bar'l this mornin'.
Second Tramp-Trow 1t away, Fitzsy.
Sposen dey was to cure you of "that
tired feeling!" You might want to work.
Puck.
Tommy-Paw, when they send letters to
the dead letter Office what Ia Ii that kills
themi Mr.. Figg-They are stamped to
death, I guess. Run along and play with
your ball, and don't bother me-Boston
Transcript.
The Dark One-Well, anyway, Mr. Town
Glider said this Victorian style of dress
was particularly becoming to me. The
Light One-Yes, he told me he thought 1t
Q splendid dress to conceal defects.-Phil-
adelphis Times.
Lucky man. that fellow, JONES'" re-
marked the editor. "Whsts happened
factory. If 1t had been me, I'd have died
Non."-Atlanta Constitution.
'tBy the way, where Ia Jones nowF'asked
Briggs. 81 hsven't heard of him for q long
time" "He has gone to the spirit land, %
| replied Quimby. "What, Is he deadi" ''I
didn't say be was dead. BE has moved to
Kentucky."-Texas Siftings.
Out of Place.-"Of course, you have
somebody to clean the boots and knives
and somebody to do the kitchen and -"
"Oh, Of course, and send the beds out 10
Morning journal and courier., 1893-06-09

on each side. There are deep over-sleeves
edged with pink strip covered with net,
and tho collar is similarly set off.
Almost everyone wears an Eton jacket,
and there seems no rule for the effect IL
shall make. 1t is often queer combIns-
tion of bolero and a cspe with sleeves.
1t lie cut ell sorts of lengths at the back.
1t comes snugly down, letting the cute lit
tie Eton point just rest at the waist line,
and the edge of the jacket curving snugly
around the hips and coming down to two
tiny pointa in the front. This means per
feet fitting, because the Eton sets of its
own free will, and If It does not set just
right 1t looks very badly. The greater
number of jackets are cut short in the
back, either to just escape the belt of the
skirt, or to show strip of the shirt waist.
The point in the back Is either there or
cut straight off, leaving 1t in the back like
a Spanish jacket, or 1t is actually cut ep in
a curve that lets the shirt waist show IN a
sort of new moon strip about the belt. If
q wide belt Is worn the Eton is cut to
nearly the top of the belt. Ii hangs all
sorts of ways In front, either very much
and Independently loose, showing q smart
lining In the front, or else snugly close,
though not fastened. The beauty of it all
In that almost any variation on the Eton
is pretty, and the girl with slender hips is
as trim thing ss one wants to look a..
FLoRErrK.
Morning journal and courier., 1893-06-09
COULDN'T STAND 1T.
The Miserable End of Two UnfortI
na1e Hawaiian Womeu

The Miserable End of Two Unfortu-
nate Hawaiian Women.
From the Cincinnati Commercial Gszsttel
The delicate flowers of true womanliness
may be overgrown and hidden BY the
briars of ignorance and degradation, yet
they will, upon occasion, appear in pure
and undimmed beauIy. 1t was in the far
away tropic isle of Hawaii and the sun was
shining brightly. The scene was one Of
native grandeur. Great trees toward aloft
to the sky. Boa constructors and ostriches
gamboled over the Landscape, adding an
! element of animation. 1t was amid such
Surroundings that two savage ladies wan
dered simlessly.
pretty warm day." observed the one
who wore brass ring in her nose.
lawfully hot" scquiesed her compsn-
ion, whose arms were dsubed a delicate
olive green.
Thus beguiling the time In conversation
they loitered until a lion, with big bristling
side whiskers came In sight.
"We," She female with the ring gssped
feebly, "are lostI'
'No, no." exclaimed she of the green
IL VIC hDkAtAS VIC oAc HoAC
Ii WAS a great alternative. II was test
of endurance from which even the tried
hearts of the forest daughters shrank In
fear. Two minutes elapsed. The lion
ssuntered with a deliberation that frozs
their blood. Three minutes of silence and
anguish had clipped into the past. The
suspense was dreadful. The lion stopped
and wsaged his tail meditstiyely. The
strain was to great. 81 must"-the woman
with ring In her nose eestatically seized
the green arm of her sister of the jungle
"teIl you about the paint sale"
"Oh, dol"
Of course they were both eaten. But
| that is neither here nor there. The con-
tention Is that the delicate flowers of true
| womanliness may be overcome and hidden
by the brisrs of ignorance and degradation,
yet they will upon occasion appear in un-
dimmed beauty.
Morning journal and courier., 1893-06-09
FASHION MOTIFS.
WhimsfcaI Jackets.

The season is begun which peoples the
hotel versndss with well dressed loungers.
The example of the fashionable idlers
sketohed herewith wears handsome COS
tune of dark green Himalsys suiting,
having shaggy stripes In pink and blue.
The bell skirt ia trimmed with three bias
folds of pink pongee covered with black
net, and Is lined with silk. The bodies is
long aud jacket like and the stripes meet
in points behind. Tho fronts are cut
wider than the lining and turn back in
pleated revers, faced with pink pongee.
The deep pointed plastron hooks in the
center and is made of pink pongee covered
with net. The fronts have but one dart
Morning journal and courier., 1893-06-09
MORE HOPEFUL.

The financial situation isn't quite as
gloomy as it was. Chicago hasn't gone to
everlasting smash, the feeling all around is
better, and there is a disposition to hold
OH ana hope until 1t is seen what the extra
session of congress- will do And In the
West and South there are encouraging in
dicstions that those who thought they were
to be saved by silver are not so sure about
1t. 1t is encouraging to find the Chamber
of Commerce of Charleston adopting reeolu-
tions which denounos tn Sherman law and
urge its speedy repeal. South Carolina is q
State which has been ravaged by the silver
craze, and 30 strong a deliversnoe on the
right side from the strongest association
of its business men must carry weight.
Another hopeful sign from the South is the
fact that the Richmond Dispatch lends on
favor to the suggestion of q compromise
which is often made. Referring to story
that the president is willing to abolish the
10 per cent tax upon tbs circulating notes
of State banks on condition that the Sher-
man law shall be repealed, 1t says: "This
charge we do not credit. Mr.. Cleveland
will hardly jump from the frying pan into
the fre."
The country was saved from free silver
by the Sherman law, and now it is plain
that 1t can't stand even that compromise.
But it is probable that the law will not be
repealed without a severe struggle. News
comes from Washington that number Of
Democratic senators and representatives,
are replying to the appssls of the President
and members of the cabinet that, while
they will do all they can to bring
about the repeal Of the Sherman act,
they do not believe that 1t can be &C.
complished unless some compromise is sub
stituted for 1t. AS TO what this substitute
will be there is no agreement. Sena-
tor Henderson ssys: "The Sherman law
cannot be repealed. by the next Con-
gress unless replaced by the free coinage
of silver in some form. They may put
more silver in the dollar, but free coinage
will be insisted on az a condition to the re-
| peal of the Sherman law"
1t is most earnestly to be hoped that the
country will escape any more fooling with
the silver question. If 1t doesn't the in,
dications are that there will be trouble
compared with which the present situs-
tion will seem pleasant.
Morning journal and courier., 1893-06-09
EDITORIAL NOTES.

Sach day as yesterday makes one have
some confidence in the poetry that has been
written about June
An Australian inventor has just perfect
ed a method of plowing with the help of
dynamite. The explosive Is used in very
small quantities, and there ts an apparatus
for touching 1t off underground. The re-
suit of this is to thoroughly disintegrate
the coil It Is asserted that there is no
possibility of serious explosion, and that
owing to the small quantity of dynamite
used the cost is very little, while the re.
sulting benefit is enormous.
One of the latest uses of aluminium Is for
cooking utensils. An expert Of the metal
lurgical laboratory of Lshigh university
says, after two years of actual experience,
that in point of lightness. cleanliness, dur
ability and all-round sdaptsbility, vessels
of aluminium are the perfection of cooking
utensils. He instances two boilers which
have been in dsily use for cooking all sorts
of food, for preserving, stewing fruits and
the like, for two years, and are to-day as
bright as new and have not lost fraction
of weight. One weighs pound 123 ounces
and the other pound II ounces.
The Cologne Gszstte tells the Germans,
from official data, that in the late war with
France they won the battle of Wissemberg
with A, ,OCO men and 70 guns against 3d.
600 French and 1S guns; Woerth, with
s6, 200 men and $40 guns against Sc 800
French and 131 guns; Spicherin, 3s,4O0
Germans and 100 guns against $4,000
French with 70 guns; Sedan, 155, 200
Germans with 700 guns against $4,000
French with 40S guns. At Gravelotte there
were 240, 600 Germans to 100000 French,
with the usual preponderAnce of German
artillery. The point Is that now the
French would be in the field as strong as
the Germans, and that the conditions of
German victory twenty-three years ago are
not maintained.
It has been thought that the production
of silver would decrease as the price went
down, but the price will apparently have
! to be pretty low before it will not pay to
work some mines. Last year the output
of the Huanchaca silver mine, in Bolivia,
was increased by nearly 10 per cent, in
spite of the low price of the metal. This
Is one of the largest and most profitable
mines in the world. Its product In 1892
was nearly 6, zoe, 900 ounces, quantity
equal to about one-ninth of, the entire out
put of the United States. The president
of the Huanchaca company recently re-
marked that further decrease of the mar
| kes value of silver would not cause any re
duction of the mines output. because silve