The evening times., 1899-04-27
A PRISON NEWSPAPER.
Unique Periodical Published by tn
COnvicts mt Sing Sing,

Sing Sing N. Y, April E@Periodical
literature was added to by the appearance
yesterday OF the first number OF tho
Star of Hope" The paper, which is TO
appear semi-monthly. is written. printed
and published by the inmates Of Sing Sing
Prison and Is unique among publications
In that the editor has no fear of libel suits
and no reason to be apprehensive OF a
visit from an indignant reader with a
shotgun. and need not worry about unpaid
subscriptions.
Both geographically and in the quality
OF its reading matter the paper is a credit
to its makers. 1t consists OF eight pages,
each twelve by sixteen inches in size, and
is printed on paper OF good quality.
The articles are all signed. not with the
contributors names. but with their cell
numbers. This plan was adopted by War
den Sage, who conceived the idea of the
paper. in order to avoid embarrassing the
contributors by publishing their names to
the outside world.
The leader" is from the pen OF No.
1,1S0 and is on subject which interests
every one OF the editors constituents. 1t
is entitled Parole Legislation" and In a
review Of the extension of this system
and the prospects Of its speedy adoption In
New York State. Following 1t is an ar
ticle entitled "Degenerates' Revenge" a
protest against the prevailing custom OF
ascribing all unusual acts to degeneracy.
This is signed by No. IS.
"The College on the Hill' is the way No.
1920 heads a tribute to the prison and its
training, and Knowledge in Prison." by
No. 1885. contains a suggestion that eli
graduates Of colleges and high schools
should complete their education by q term
OF year or two In prison, during which,
1t is asserted, they will learn many things
not set down in the books.
No. 1900 is the ruler of the editorial
page. Part Of his salutatory follows:
BE to its faults a little blind
Be to its virtues very kind"
In extending a salutation to our readers we re-
alize that one could not occupy EDITORS chair
under more favorable circumstances We are re-
heved Of the remorseless pangs Of unstable SUBJ
scrIptfon lists or delinquent advertisers. The pa
per, happily, has no subscription price, conse-
quently the prospects are fair for full compile
ment OF subscribers, and treasury will not be-
come depleted by large fees to its contributors.
At the head Of the editorial page is a
notice from Warden Sage calling upon all
the inmates to contribute to the publica-
tion. He explains that the mental labor
the place Of the physical, labor which has
been restricted by recent legislation
Warden Sage also seizes the opportunity
to say farewell to the inmates Of the -pris-
on. After reviewing his appointment and
the difficulties under which he iabored. he
says: DaEe
There are reasons why should have been glad
to continue here for time. L have become
greatly interested In the prison and the work
! found the institution and its equipment when
came here, In all its details aadi parts anti
quated, dilapidated. and unsafe.
modern and model prison. had Aspirations.
also, to make 1t in its administration, under the
new system OF classification, in spirit and reality
II not in name, a great refOrmatory,
However, yield to the logic OF events 20
back to my old home. to the business have
never given up, to associations that are familiar
and agreeable, to friends who will, am sure.
private life.
In closing this i.ote desire to say, in nv judg-
ments Of infractions Of prison rules which have
sometimes erred, for I am human II / have
done anyone an injustice sincerely regret It.
An interesting feature Of tile paper is
the reprinting Of the Rev. Dr. George H.
Hepworth's sermon, THE Souls Great
ness. In addition to providing for the
religious needs OF the inmates, the edu-
cational feature Is not neglected. There Is
department devoted to the correction Of
common errors in English speech and writ
ing.
An innovation in prison discipline is
department devoted to the current news
OF the world, in which the important
events are summarized. Prison news il
summarized under the head of "Observa-
tions," and under the title "Rumors"
many projected improvements in the pris-
on and grounds are announced. Humor is
not neglected. and the time honored Let
ter Box" In which answers to corre-
spondents are printed. 10 . prominent fea-
ture of the Star Of Hope"
Amn0R the advar4faounoufa NJ ~hir1,
there are only . few. il the following. to
which no extraordinary siknihcance reed
be attached:
LOSrLDy vfdtor to the prison, March TO-
1eoe. hendscme dismond pin. n 1sund By any
Of the inmstes, please notify ys1E kssVR.