The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-06-26
A Convict as a Rcformcr.


The Ohio Penitentiary News Is pub
lished at the state prison at Columbus,
and Is ably contributed to by the con-
Victs OF the Intelligent class. It is one
Of the Intelligencer's valued exchanges.
Some Of these criminals are writing
some very logical articles on the varI-
Gus phases Of crime, and the remedies
therefor, the cost Of criminals, prison
reforms, and the current Issue con-
talns three poems contributed by as
many convicts. two Of them showing
rare genius and refined sentiment ,one
poem being called "Memory's Hour"
and the other Is a beautiful tribute to
flowers and the lessons they teach.
AN editorial signed by Convict No.
3Oi33" Is somewhat unique, not alto
gether without reason. and suggests
q method for the reforming Of criminals.
1t Is addressed to MIR. Citizen" and,
after stating the advantage he has had
for long observation, as convict, the
author summarizes his suggestions I'M
der three heads. Coming from such u
source. the suggestions are of decided
interest and worthy of quoting:
First. gather your friends together, point
out to them the inefficient system OF gov
eminent, then organize yourselves into n
Sreat body OF reformers, and take an oath
mat you VIII never support q candidate
Tor any office unless he pledges himself to
use his power OF office and influence to
~ n n pf,tyt Nf al lk,k.. la.
and that he will drive the saloons from the
face of the earth.
Secondly, appoint committees and SUBJ
committees to 80 into the homes Of those
VINO allow their children to roam the
streets at will for no other purpose save
making mischief, and talk to them of the
dangers that Turk In the pathway OF these
little wanderers. In this way you may be
the means OF saving many souls from lie
OF crime. and
Thirdly. see to It that those who have
fallen Into crime be reformed and that
speedily. There are two ways to do this,
as there are two classes Of criminals, and
the best way to begin Is to repeal your
the effect that all cases of larceny shall be
punished by n term OF three months. II
kind treatment will reform man. three
months Is long enough to do II In, and the
world will BIO benefited by such reforma-
ton.
II, after being discharged. the person so
treated falls nck into crime, send him to
prison for three months, hut make his stay
there SO hot TINT before his time expires he
Will wish that he had never been born. In
few years third. fourth. fifth and sixth
tcrmers Will not be seen.
In short, give man 4 chance: then II he
VIII not reform. reform him. These are
the only two ways to reform the two classes
mentioned, and II you and your constitu-
ents will adopt this method society will
soon be freed from those who make their
livinSs at the expense OF their brothers.
1t may not be hard to see. from the
expressions In the first and second para
graphs, that Convict No. 3O433 (Which
number is his place In the list from the
date of the institution of the prison.
and does not indicate the number at
present conflnedD. is recalling the be-
ginning of his own career.
The second paragraph may be justly
regarded rs warning from the tomb to
parents In large towns and cities. The
evil referred to is prevalent. and In
Wheeling, much as we regret to admit.
1t is alarmlngly so. as In other cities
where the curfew law Is not In force.