The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1897-07-29

however, on political and religious con-
troversies, unless free from party ties,
prejudice and the spirit of vindictive-
ness.
Here as we'll as in other commun-
tiles there are those who condemn the
paper. There are few who believe
that the paper should roundly score
the officials on account of personal
grievance. Some imagine that the
paper should advise the management
how to run the institution. A few
populists, who formerly belonged to
"Coxey's Army have stopped their
subscription because the paper refused
to publish their views on the 16 to l
doctrine during the late presidential
campaign. If the paper is to continue
on its mission of doing good, then the
eternal fitness of things must be taken
under consideration and weighed care
fully before giving such ideas as the
above for publication.
From the time of it's first inception
the editorial chair has invariably been
filled by men of ability and possessing
a thorough knowledge of penology and
human nature. Considering that the
men have had no special training, and
the narrow limits to which he is con-
fined to seek news items, we still feel
perfectly safe in pronouncing the
paper as good, if not better, than a
great many papers on the outside that
have an unlimited scope on all SUBJ
jects, especially politics which always
remains an open question for the out
side newspaper in case of an emer-
gency.
The paper is entirely original, with
the exception of column or so. The
front page is generally filled with mis-
cellaneous contributions by the in
mates. These articles are all contrib
uted voluntarily and comprise wide
range of thought. Writers are not
confined to any particular subject, but
cautioned to avoid sensationalism and
dime-noveI exploits. The men who
write for this page may not have any
aspirations to literary fame, but,
nevertheless, the intellectual exercise
will greatly aid them in the outside
world, regardless of the occupation they
may choose.
The motto of THE MIRROR is, at is
never too late to mend" This is the
predominating thought kept before its
readers and the good it has accom-.
plished along these lines is beyond
human comprehension. Its aim is to
eradicate that feeling of hatred and
prejudice which has ever existed be-
tween society and the prisoner. There
was time in the past when these
sentiments were entirely ignored. The
editorial management, instead of using
the paper as lever in the upbuilding
of the interests of the inmates, had
filled its columns with lengthy eulogies
about the officials. This, all will ad-
nit, is just and proper when the occa.
sion demands it. But to do so for
personal aggrandiZement and self-grat.
ificatiOn, is entirely wrong. This was
not only deterrent to THE MIRROR
and the inmates in general, but it
was an injustice to its subscribers
an injustice not easily forgiven.
Long may The MIRROR live. May
it ever cast it's bright reflections upon
the literary world as model of it's
kind. May it's influence and trend of
thought be directed to building up
wards, and never tearing down. May
it never forget to teach the cardinal
virtues which help to contribute to the
peace and happiness of the unfortu.
nate whatever their condition may be
and may it continue to be free from
the spirit of vindictiveness, hatred and
arrogance is the wish of
JASPER,