The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-01-19
Good Advice.
associates

Good Advice.
Although we have reached years of
maturity-to that point where we think
1--WE know it all"-it is both interesting
and instructive to read the letter which
is given to the boys on their departure
from the Reform School at Red Wing.
The letter is signed by the superintend-
ent in behalf of the board of managers,
and reads as follows:
my dear young friend:
"YOu have now arrived at d position, gained by
uniform good conduct that entities you to the
privilege, under the rules of the board of mana
gers, of going out into the broad world and try
ing life again for yourself.
1--WE have tried to give you good counsel, as
we'll as that instruction calculated to fit you for
the active duties of life, and we trust you have
prOfted by your stay with us to that extent that
you go out into the world with an earnest desire
to become an honorable upright and successful
man.
1.-THE opportunities for the young in this cOun-
try are great and no matter how humble the
condition all may aspire to the best and highest
positions. If you early practice cheerful Obedi-
ence to law, have proper respect for the rights
of others and are careful to improve your oppor-
tunties you will surely succeed, and will enter
upon useful and honorable career.
"Some of the wisest and best men and women
of the country were poor boys and girls; they
struggled hard under great difficulties, but, trust
ing in God, persevered with determined wills,
overcoming every obstacle and were rewarded
with complete success.
d., ~
reform school afford many such examples, and
they may encourage you to persevere in well
doing. They had no better elements of success
than you. What they attained is possible for
you-a happy home, useful life and an honor
able name.
"Our guardianship our interest in your well
fare and our responsibility for you does not end
when you severe your connection with the
school, and for your general guidance we wish to
lay down few rules which will be helpful to you
and which we shall expect you to observe:
"First-Always be truthful
"SecOnd--Attend church regularly every Sab
bath whep possible.
'Third-AyOid all idle and evil companions
and all'places where such resort.
"FOurth-Be obedient to those in authority
over you.
1--WE have taken measures to keep ourselves
posted in regard to your habits and conduct, and
shall watch the development Of your character
with earnest sOlictude.
"You now enter upon a new career. Be care
full to start right. Your success mainly, under
God, will depend upon your own efforts.
with full purpose of heart to do we'll and
wise use of your opportunities you cannot fail.
Think and act wisely
It is a fact, according to science, that
in all countries there are fewer cOnvic-
tiOns for crimes of women than of men.
European statistics vary from the high
est. thirty-Seven per cent. in Scotland, to
the lowest, rather less than per cent. in
Italy. 1t is also noted that there is a
very wide difference between city and
country The proportion OF female
criminals is always higher in rural dis
tricts, sometimes reaching nearly to
that of the males. Various eXplana-
tons of these facts have been suggested.
Some are complimentary to the sex, as
that women are not given to intOxicants
nor to gambling, nor to rowing; they are
more timid, more religious. more tender
hearted. and their sextlaiity is more
passive. There is something in all these
reasons, but they do not satisfy Dr. G.
Ferrero, who discusses the subject in
the Reoue Scientifque. He points out
that the females of the ants, bees, and
spiders are particularly cruel, because
they are particularly intelligent, and he
reaches the ungallant conclusion, that
the woman of to-day is less criminal be-
cause less intelligent than the man.
The more recent contests in learning
between the sexes indicate, however,
that the women of to-day possess fully
as much intelligence as the men.
Edna: "What do you suppose makes
Tom write such aWfully gushing let
ters? ?"
Kate: ooh, 1 suppose he uses foun-
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