The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-11-07

mated absolutory.' So long as we deal
out so much penalty for so much crime,
the criminal will feel that he is absolved
when he has paid the fine or done the
time whether reformation has taken
place or repentance exhibited. Pun
ishment, without reformation, does
not compensate society for the crime
committed, or protect it from further
violation of its laws. 1t does not bene-
fit the offender, but widens the gulf be-
tween himself and his fellows, and its
value in deterring others from commit
ting crime, is open to the gravest ques-
ton. In cases where society has de-
manded the life of the criminal, the eff
feet upon the community has been
rather to educate it to regard the TAX
ing of life as light matter, than to
deter any one from commit ting murder.
do not believe society has the right
to take life-dOn't think it is necessary
for it to do so for its protection. 1t is
not just retribution upon the criminal,
for in many cases the criminal is the
product of society's institutions and
neglect, and the crime committed was
but retributiOn upon society for its
derelicton. 1t does not reform or deter,
as all experience will testify, but, on the
other hand, it's effects are degrading and
brutalizing on all who are connected
with it.
The question naturally arises, what
is to be done, what is society's duty in
the premises, how is it to protect itself
from unlawful acts of its members
NV answer is, reform them. When
the Individual sets up his will against
the will of organized society, he should
be restrained and treated until his will
conforms to the common thought.
Howard, and other philanthropists
were pioneers in prison reform, an6
their names will be remembered witt
honor and gratitude for the great work
, they did, but prison reform must no
, be confounded with the reform of pris
oners. 1t is closely allied to it and wa
necessary preliminary step, but HI
who undertakes to reform criminals
) must be more than good house-keepe
{ and a considerate task-master; he mus
t be student of the problem of life an
y close observer of the motives tina
r move men.
y Reforming criminals is comparativel
4 new thought AS late as 1870. at tn
: Prison Congress that met at Cincinnati
n it was alluded to as "promisin
e theory but the progress of the pas
y quarter of century has taken it out c
}, the list of promising theories ha
n passed the experimental stage and
# today the central thought in dealin
y with the criminal class the world owe
o Now Reformatories are displacin
IS Prisons in every country and the wor
y they are doing is receiving the approv'
" of progressive people everywhere. B
e. fore the best results can be had, publ
h opinion must be more intelligently ar
lie heartily in sympathy with the wor
n So long as society insists upon reveng
or or depends upon deterring persons fro
S. committing crime, by Furnishing Grim
Of nails, Reformatories will not reali
il. their possibilities for good. Whenpu
It, lie opinion will sustain the making
'r. all sentences indeterminate; the kee
y, ing of men under the authority of t.
is Reformatory as long as they are erin
e. nails, and discharging them as soon
of they are reformed, then, and not t
ne then will Reformatoriesr realize the pr
k pose for which they are established al
es relieve society of it's criminal class
at Crime is a disease, sometimes inheritt
Ii but generally contracted by gradu
Sc, and continued yielding to wrong inf
ng ences and the forming OF bad habl
th and it would be just as rational to Sc
in sick man to the hospital for nine
lty days, and turn him out at the expi
ffi- tion of his sentence, refusing b
IN further treatment, as it is to dischal
ice men from prison who are known to
to criminals and whe will immediate
by return to a criminal life when ag;
led free to act upon their own voliti'
til nor is there any sense in keeping m