The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-04-09

criminals. The question of desert can
not enter into the situation, for ii it
came to strict justice there is no one
who can claim any right to the states
assuming guardianship over him un-
til such time as he shall be fit to be at
liberty. If there were such thing,
however, the negro would have much
better right to it than the child of white
parents. The white man is indirectly
responsible for the present condition
of the negro. His forefathers were
brought to this country by the fore
fathers of the white man. The black
was subjected to every influence that
could act as a detriment to mental and
moral advancement. There were even
penalties laid down for any slave owner
who dared to educate slave. In the
light of these things it is not at all to
be wondered at if the negro is not the
equal of the white man. The wonder
is that he is as far advanced as he is.
But now, after the best blood in the
land has been poured out for his eman-
cipation from the bondage of the body,
he is denied the opportunity of freeing
himself from the bondage of the mind
which is of far more Importance than
the other. And this because the very
men who have made him what he is,
say in their ignorance and blindness
that the wrong they have done him is
past all reparation. How do they
know he cannot be reformed? They
have never tried to do anything for
| him. They have never consulted any
authorities on the subject. They are
simply willing to make this statement,
no matter how unjust or false it may
be. in order to rid themselves of any
responsibility in the matter. But the
experiment is we'll worth trying. At
present there are three hundred of
these boys who are being trained to
become desperate criminals. What
does the state intend to do with them
if it will not try to reform them? A
sentence for petty larceny cannot de-
tain them for any length of time
What is to become of them when they
are again set at liberty? The only
solution to the problem seems to be
that the state is willing to let them
go out and do what they have learned
while forced into the society of old
and hardened criminals. They are now
serving a term for petty larceny. The
next term will probably be for grand
larceny or burglary. For this the state
will be able to confine them for long
er period and thus be safe from then
for a longer time Thus they go on til
the end of their lives and the cost o1
; their maintenance will be many times
the cost of an attempt to reform them
There is possibility that some o1
, them will come to quicker conclu
sion of the case by committing some
crime for which the state may sen
tence them to death, but there is al
innocent victim to be counted, in reck
t oning up the cost of this method o
3 dealing with crime. Some home mus
/ be rendered desolate in order to sup
l ply the criminal with material neces
: sary for the commission of the dee'
9 that is to justify the law in termi
: mating his existence. Nor is this tn
. end. By the time the three hundred
4 who are now acting the part of appren
0 tices in crime, shall be disposed Of
e there will be many hundreds more O.
Y the scene. Thus it must go on until
: change in the method Of dealing wit
t them is enacted or until the whole co
ored criminal race is exterminate(
e A pleasing program and a delight
t full prospect, surely.-South Dakot
l. Mail.