The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-29
RUSK'S PBNITENTIARY.
A DAY SPENT IN THE srArE's
PRISON,
KIND and Humane Treatment Accom-
plishins Much Good ooreruor HogE
Only Grants Pardons Where They
Arc Deserved Sketches

many mysteries that Il contains. Tn
Eat Texas penitentiary at Rusk contain
tho most prisoners and works OF tn
greatest magnitude OF any in the State
ana though only n branch institution, /
has far outgrown It's parent at Hunts
Vile At Rusk prison is eight acres Of
ground, upon which thousand prisoner.
ana about hundred oiaeers and en-
pioyes reside and are employed. yet there
Is such perfect system that no one Ii
crowded. and the domestic economies are
80 perfectly arranged that there IL NOT
s.en an offeaslve odor about the premises.
" course u Is impossible THAI any one
YsISon could know every one OF these
thoasand men, who are shaved clear, ana
dressed hiike. but HE records are =, nsr-
!eetiy kept that any one OF them can be
located al any moment OF the day or
n-eHl, ana the records Will also tel all
tiiat = known OF him. In the cells where
the prisoners pass their time when NOT N
vera ne most amazing cleanliness pre-.
e- ne WaAs are spotiess yhLe and
me ped afapery and towels are kept Glenn
ana nsat The prisoners are encouraged
~ maze arrangements f2r their eonven-
!snce' ana book cases and beautiful ptc-
lures acorn many Of the cells Every
prisoner mas two complete suits Of cloth
Ne, Nhlch ne wears alternate weeks
whlle the other suit IS washed. me so-
e-At NE OF prison IS entirely d.iferent
lIvih auy other form Of existence. The
prisoner = away from ilia home The law
FefS nave got his property--his vie ire
qleuuy Gets divorce. his children rrovv
up without knowing their father; the tu
Neniie ana feminine elements OF NE are
entirely absent from his career; he is
without character. reputation or Standing.
his word has no legal value, me presuraf,.
ZION IS always against him and the State
provides man to draw the waEes he
earns. But close observation shows that
prison HE tat Rusk, at least) liz not al
all the state Of wretuhedness and despair
We are apt 70 imagine it is-the regular
haplts ana conformity 10 rule. the alb.
sence OF temptation, and the enforced
dietary and sanitary regulations tend 10
preserve the phg seal health at the highest
pltch OF perfection. There is abundant
opportunity for advancement IN the large
and well kept prison library. The prison
ers are allowed the utmost liberty In the
matter or obtaining reading matter and
facilities for every rational and practical
'ie FORM OF recreation and entertainment,
and special opportunities for education
and moral advancement
Ihe present administration has won the
confidence and esteem Of the conyiets in
q surprising degree II Is perhaps natural
Tor every prisoner TO feel resentment tow
ard his keeper but at Rusk this feeling
seems 70 have been overcome. In con-
'ersing with the prisoners, one IS struck
With the perfect confidence they have in
heir superintendent and the security they
eel IN his justice and fairness. In him
.hey ste man whose prejudice never
,olors his Judgment and whose ironclad
honesty and sincerity scorns policy and
hoes the right thing regardless OF appear
lnces or criticism. Every convict seems
o feel that he win meet with what he
deserves at the hands OF Judge Gibson, |
Ind as n result they try to deserve good |
reatnent, and there Is now less disorder |
ess punishments, and the most successful |
management the prison has ever known
)ne striking feature Is that what any
'tsoncr has done IN the past either out
ide or inside. is not held against him. |
80 matter what he was yesterday. today 4
g his. Every day Is thus made a possible !
tarting point FOR him TO regain his lost I
manhood ana live an honorable and nse- |
ul iife, The management bends every 4
nerEy to bettcring the conditions and /
euthnt sinner, - zen as IN recognizing |
he remnant OF manhood IN the good +
lHn gone wrong" which we have all I
card Of and who is rather plenty in the 4
(The latter are the unluciy I
nes from the great army OF uncaught T.
ascals)
IA viewing prisons. It is a wonderful |
ring to see what a man may be shorn /
{ and yet be a man. Aud e is equally |
10 see how splenddly man
Jay be equipped by nature and education;
Ow he may be physically perfect IN
.llectnally superior and have a moral |
3nse and conscience Of n high order with
Of proud and honorable am
astors hehind HIM and al the adyan-
iEeg o. wealth and position to develop
ie Cruces ami rctnements and nobliitles
nd splendoI Of true manhood and yet
ioose c/prse that ~ certain TO end
destruction, These contrasts are amaz-
", but they are visible every day IN a
rlson
al elsewhere. the social affairs OF a
rlson gravltate into groups and circles,
Id every prisoner views the remainder Of
,e world In some kind of relation 10
mself and his affairs, Just as we all do
this foolish world. Just OF this time
70 snobocracy Of the pen is expressing
5 disapproyal Of Jim Hoge ana his meth
Nc. A short time ago this governor OF
irs waB on visit 20 Rusk prison and
rs interviewed hy great number Of the
'isoners-aome Of the high rollers whose
OBLIGATIONS FOR pardon were Endorsed
, ex-soycrnors and congressman found
at their pun didn't work on this man
ogg and their indignation was specially
nnd time 10 listen 10 the statements OF
10 frtendless and obscure Irlshman and
gro, who had no pull aud OF the latter
asses he pardoned several who had only
good prison record 20 recommend them.
am told that no previous sovernor ever
lowed the courage 20 liberats convict
cause he manifestly deserved to be
&c ana regardless o. tha clamor Of his
Iemies. And also that no governor has
Ter 80 successfully resisted pressure from
gh sources 70 obtain pardon for un-
serving rascaiH There Is a rght,mnded
undness about Governor H0gg'a hand
lg Of matters relating 10 convict par
ms that commands the respect and CON
Iouoe OF every person vino observes II.
he infioxibie integrity OF his mind which
lows no compIomise With crookedness
Ems also 70 have an undercurrent OF
inning which enables him 90 divine mo-
YES and search oiit hidden features In a
as that Is aurprlsina lie astonished
cry nrlaonor he talked 20 by his knowl-
Ike Of his case, and each ono found that
n governors memory held every point
their favor as we'll as the points which
I'd against their interests. and that
Bytnpathies were broad enough TO
their good points. while his
fs.,,,aft a nd eanar ~ duty WAS strong