The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-05-01


to inhabitants of some European countries,
but it is one of the commonest of occur
rences here in America. Does this man
with aspirations continue to live just as
he has lived when he thought of nothing
but the present? Does he content himself
with animal pleasures, and keep the same
company that he did before? If he does,
the chances are against his becoming any
thing higher than he is. He may have re-
fined instincts, he may be gentle, kind,
and courteous but he will not be i'm
proved unless he makes up his mind to be.
Perhaps he will lose all desire for anything
but the pleasures which he has always
had. But if he has really determined
to change his character, he reads,
thinks, travels, if he can, talks with the
most intelligent people he can find, saves
his money until he is able TO afford books
of his own, chooses good company, in
short, tries as far as possible to make
his thoughts those of an intelligent and
refined human being. But suppose, dur
ing this process, he is thrust into the
company of degraded criminals, debarred
from intercourse with his kind, encouraS-
ed to no achievement, kept at manual
labor during the day, and during his leis-
ure hours given nothing to occupy his
mind. Suppose, as is the case in some
prisons, he is not allowed even to occupy
his hands, or is given work of irritating
monotony, which employs the muscles,
but leaves the mind free, and sets the
nerves to tormenting their owner. Psy-
biologists are beginning to assert with
conviction the truth that telepathy. in its
more subtle forms, plays great part in
the affairs of humanity, and that the mere
company of persons of degraded mind has
an influence over anyone in the least SEN
sitive, even il no conversation is permit
ted; moreover if the mind of the outsider
is passive, unoccupied with absorbing in
terests, this malign influence is much
stronger. The chances are therefore, that
the man who is sent to prison for single
crime, though he may not be an habitual
criminal, will come out of prison more de-
PRAYED than he went in. There are other
| convcts, who, though criminals, are re-
claimable, and there are still others who
are moral degenerates. incapable of con-
tinued effort in the right direction. Herd
all these men together, with nothing to
occupy their minds, and you have a condi-
ton similar to that described in the old
spelling books, in the story of the boy
who put one rotten apple in basket of
sound ones. and was instructed and edited
by the result.
| Therefore, let any sort of influence which
| tends to take the attention of a convict
| away from criminal subjects, and give his
mind twist in the direction of safe and
useful business, be welcomed by all good
people. 1t is with grown folks just as it
is with children, they can, half the time,
be kept out of mischief if some one will
only find them something interesting to
do Professional criminals say that some
OF the worst crimes which ever shocked
the moral sense of the community have
been planned during the long prison hours
by men who had nothing else to think
! about. II a prison newspaper, or anything
| else. will tend to prevent this result and
take the minds of young convicts of the
crimes of their elders, ii will be good
thing.