The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-16

I themselves for instruction are illiterate
and ignorant, and the purpose Of this
| school is to give these men preparation
to shoulder the duties of citizenship, as
most of them soon. become members Of
society again. Intellectual power makes
a man a man, imbues him with the power
to think, to differentiatek between the
right and wrong, and, above all. to be
self-reliant. ~
CHAPEL
On Sundays and holidays at $50 a. M
exercises are held in the chapel strict at
tention and decorum must be observed.
On holidays especial treats are afforded
the convicts, and many smile is brought
to hardened features, as some pleasant
memory Is recalled. On legal holidays an
hours freedom is given the men either in
the yard or cell house They are allowed
to talk and revive acquaintance with fell
low convicts. 1t Is q curious and almost
pathetic sight to see the men march out
and for the first time In perhaps Q month
enjoy freedom for time. Many cannot
contain themselves, fairly effervescing,
turning somersaults. hand springs, and
cutting up as ten year olds.". Others are
quiet, sullen, and morose seeking Sc
clusien and appear Obvious to all, their
hard Indifferent features only taking on
an aggravated expression II spoken to-. T.
One group Of three, particularly hottie
able to your. representative during the
last hours = freedom on Decoration
day, selected q shady spot on the green.
and spent the whole hour reading md re-
reading few. perhaps. precious letters
from loved ones. An old man wearing
smiling countenance was singing When
asked the cause of his merriment he said:
We'll. my man, my term is for ninety
nine years, and I am happy to think Of Il
when see SO many 'lifers' about me-"
Another convict possessing particularly
stentor1an tones, insisted upon calling off
races. His voice could be heard above
the hum of all others. Another Rroup
danced, while others played ball. At the
sound OF the whistle indicating that the
hour was up, silence fell upon the men
like a bolt from a clear sky lines were
quickly formed, and faces which had been
relaxed and gay a moment previous be-
came set and sullen. BY squads they
were marched to the cell house each
body having a rythmical swing and ap.
pearing as an automaton, and not to talk
with each other again until July. T. 1893.
PRISON GRADES.
Upon entering the prison the convict is
assigned to the second grade and dressed
In plaid suit. After remaining for six
months and procuring fifty credit marks
of possible fiftY-four he is promoted to
the hrst grade, wearing plain crap suit
and enjoying a few more privileges
Upon any grave misdemeanor he Is given
third grade rank, a striped uniform,
privileges are taken from him, and he Is
an object Of disdain to those about him.
BY far the majority are first grade men,
q number are second graders, and a few
are in the third grade
Chemical restraint Is never used, and
only upon rare occasions Is it necessary
to conflne man in the solitary Officers
are never allowed to strike a convict or
to use abusive language unless a fellow
officer or convict is In danger. Then
those in authority are at liberty to use
the means to quell the disturbance that
their Judgment directs.
Paroles are granted by the board Of
pardons, provided the convict is not a life
man. Those known to have served time
IN prison previously, are not eligible to
parole, and one half the prescribed
sentence must be served before this pre-
rogative Is exercised. Convicts while on
parole are kept under the supervision of
a prison official, and may be returned to
the prison at any time. At present but
Six female convicts are at saltwater.
They are under matron and never COM
municate with the male prisoners
Hennepin, Ramsey and ST. Louis coun-
ties contribute more than their share per
capita to the prison population, and
6AdiiO AdACSLy StSIHS " UG the Q11QCulty
which leads most of the men from the
narrow path. Murder comes second on
the list as there are abe ut thirty muir
derers confined at saltwater The abso-
lutely illiterate prisoners number forty
seven, while the predominating age seems
to be between thirty and forty There are
twelve widowers and 302 single men in
generated there. TWO hundred and ten
are listed as incorporate, while SO are
abstainers. Men from all stations and
occupations of life are found in the
ranks. laborers being most numerous
farmers coming next.
Each convict sentenced for a definite
term other than life may diminish his
sentence by good behavior. A period Of
five days per month Is deducted turing
the first year. after the first year seven
days, and after the second year ten days
per month and deducted, making term
Of ten years, six years, eleven months
and eighteen days. If the entire limit of
good time is deducted. Good time money
averages ten cents per working day for
the first and second, graders. the third
graders receiving none. This amount is
paid the convict whens he is given his
liberty. Arthur T. Came
the Gibson girl wears Gordon hat.