The mirror., 1894-08-09
OUR BIRTHDAY.

With the present issue THE PRISON
MIRROR celebrates it's eighth birthday,
the proudest and most prosperous era
in the history of its existence.
AS our predecessors have, on several
similar occasions, reiterated upon THE
MIRRORS previous history and founda-
ton, we shall refrain from repetition;
suffice to say that of the fifteen original
founders of THE MIRROR, but three
are with us today. When The MIRROR
first came into existence, many looked
upon it with Indifference, a few with
contempt, while others viewed it, being
the first and only paper of its kind ever
published, as literary curiosity. 1t
found however, many warm and sub
stantial friends among the best and
mostintiuential people of the state, who,
forseeing its future influences and pos
sibilities for good, gave it their en-
couragement and support. The press
throughout the state and country, re-
gardless of party or political affiliations,
have, from its inception, granted The
MIRROR their unanimous endorsement,
until today it proudly stands upon it's
own merits journalistic prodigy Of
truth and purity, welcome visitor at
the fireside of thousands of homes
throughout our broad land, and is today,
the most widely quoted paper in the
great northwest.
On the 18th. day of April 1894 THE
MIRROR doffed it's infant dress and
dOnned its present robe Of dignified
legal maturity. When the paper was
first started it was intended to be solely
home publication but its progress and
prosperity has so far exceeded the most
lofty hopes of its founder that it has
become practically national news
paper, circulated in every state and
territory in the United States and even
wends it way each week to distant India,
England and other foreign countries.
The MIRROR has ceased to count it's
readers by the hundred but numbers
them by thousands. Our exchange list,
of which we are justly proud, numbers
over five hundred of the best and most
popular papers and periodicals pub
lished in the United States, which, with
a copy of THE MIRROR each week, are
given out gratuitously to the inmates
of this institution. THE MIRROR is
entirely self-supporting, and its tinan-
cial condition was never better than at
present. 1t pays cash for all material
purchased and promptly meets every
bill upon presentation. With the cur
rent souvenir number, The MIRROR,
vigorous and prosperous, launches forth
upon new, and we trust, more useful
era of existence, and long ere it shall
reach it's next birthday, we trust, THE
MIRROR office will be made complete
by the possession of a fine new press.
While we are justly proud of the
grand success of The MIRROR we must
not forget that its present prosperity
has not been attained without incur
ring many obligations. First to the
prison management for their lnvarlable
kindness and encouragement. 1t is but
proper and just that it be said to the
honor and credit of the prison manage
ment that they have not in single in
stance attempted to dictate the policy
or views of the paper nor in any manner
criticised its editorial management.
The proof-sheets are submitted each
week to the warden, who is THE MIR
ROR's sole censor, for his inspection, and
whose censorship we have ever found
to be liberal and just. To our many
readers in the great outside world we
are indebted for the splendid and most
able financial support which enables
The MIRROR to live and flourish. To