The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-06-20

aw, the law will cease to be respected
oy men; and disrespect of the laws
under which we live, and by which we
are governed, will, in every case, lead
to disorder, civil commotion and
anarchy.
Then the first duty of society towards
the prisoner, is to see that the poor
man, has the same privileges before
the courts as the rich man has.
This being done and the prisoner con-
victed, he is sentenced to the penitsn-
tiary. He is received at the prison,
duly registered, numbered and assigned
to cell. But society has not done !
with him, it still has its duty to per-
form towards him even while he is in
prison. Its duty lies now in the en-
deavor to lead him to better life, a
nobler purpose, happier future. For
society, that is the people of the state
of Minnesota, must here say, that in
this respect, they are nobly doing their
duty towards the prisoner. Here in
saltwater, every effort is directed
towards the reformation of the prison
er and every aid to that end is in the
power of every man in this institution.
Here is religious instruction, and SER
vices every Sunday, Chautauqua Circle
every two weeks, school, two hours,
three nights each week during the
school term of eight months, but of the
Chautauqua Circle and school l need
not speak, as The MIRROR has ably
reported their work in late issues.
There is a good and we'll selected lib
rary, from which man can draw a
book twice week, and educational
books, he can have at any time by ap-
plying for them. He has the OppOr-
tunity of learning trade by which he
can earn an honest living when he
leaves the prison. The grading system
by which man observing the disci-
pline of the prison, passes step up
ward, and is given increased privileges
Then there is the hope of parole, after
ETY., by wise forethought, has given in
to the hands of the prison managers
All this is very good, and is yielding
good fruit. Society in Minnesota has
done, and is doing it's full duty to the
prisoner, while undergoing sentence
and on parole. Minnesota has by hel
wise and humane treatment of hel
prison population, sOwn the seeds OF
reformation, and she will assuredly
: reap rich reward. Would that every
state in the Union followed her exam
pie in this respect.
I'm former times as the captives went
To their own places, to their separate glOomS,
Uncheered by glance. or hand. or hope, to brO0'
On those impossible glOries of the past
2 When they might touch the grass, and see tn
And do the works of men. But manly work
g Is sometimes in a prison..
: SO today manly work is going on IL
: Saltwater. Here are many earnestl
y striving for the new and better way
S educating and fitting themselves TO
d another start in life, and that the fut
J. ure. God helping them, shall in som
d measure atone for the past. Takin
e advantage of all the good the state ha
It placed in their power, to tit them to be
J. come better citizens than heretofore
1, and determined
ITO live by law.
T. Acting the law we live by without 1odr,
4, And because right is right. to follow right"
II It is of such men as these, men wh
,e have seen the folly of their past live
'e that my next and concluding pape
If of this series shall treat, and the dut
u. of society towards them from tt
" moment they pass the prison gate
is Men many of whom are without hon
Of or friends, many strangers in strans
st country, eager, longing, with that lon
D. ing which higher aspirations, bett
or knowledge Of duty, taught by sad e
in perience, brings to every thinking ma
IN must have felt in the solitude of
be prison cell. Society can do much +
p such men. Society can also repel, al
ty drive them again into crime. Whi
no shall it be =? Which should it be?
ar H.
be ITO BE CONTINUED.)