Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-07-07

| his first term OF tuition"
! The warden handed over for exam
ination small writing book, such as
is used in the public schools, with q
text line at the top of each page and Il
dozen or so blank spaces beneath, in
| which the pupil is to initiate the en-
graved line at the top of the page. The
work was exceedingly well done. The
public schools can show nothing com
parable, even up to the fourth grade.
In some cases the copy was so fine
that it could hardly be distinguished
from the original
Nothing has given me so much
pleasure as the success of this school,
| said the warden. 1.-The men who can
neither read nor write are anxious to
| attend and improve themselves. And
that they do improve is shown by the
fact that, while about Z per cent. of
the prisoners are received illiterates
l don't think we have in five years
sent out one who couldn't write a fair
ly decent letter.
II don't think ii would be hardly
fair to say that this result comes from
the work in the schoolroom alone"
continued the warden. THAT is
supplemented by individual work
when the men go to their rooms at
night. When they are locked up at
supper time, they are allowed lights in
their rooms until 3 o'clock. and most
of them spend their time reading.
Those who do not read are making re-
membranes for friends or are study
ing their school lessons. Thest. men
who are studying are the IS mentioned
by the chaplain as not taking books
from the library. But they are more
intensely occupied. They are allowed
states ana pencils, and with these they
write and rewrite the engraved copy
Of the writing books or work on the
simple arthmetical examples given
them. 1t is this individual work in
their rooms that counts most fo-
them. | think.
Il want to give you Just one example
OF IN" influence of literature upon men,
continued the warden, ascending the
stairs Of the shirt shop we have here
about 100 men; absolutely idle. We are
all out Of work for them. and there are
only two things to do-eithcr Keen them
in an orderly condition in the shop or
send them to their cells. Now. one .;
the hardest things to 10 in 4 prison is
y maintain discipline during n period of
idlcn@Ss. With plenty Of work the minds
IF the men are occupied bur with no IL
Dor 10. take mp their attention they are
sometimes apt to plot mischief. Never
thclcSS. do not believe in the discipline
which CompclS men to sit with folded
arms and in absolute silence. II makes a
tremendous tax on mans nervous sys-
TEN. Fancy trying to do ii yourself. So
| nave the men sent out to the shop cV-
cry day. as usual. ana here they bring
their books ana papers ana Sit III their
places ana read
The warden pushed open the door Of
large Workroom as he finished speak
ing. and, sure enough the conditions
were Just az he had pictured them. There
We're about 100 men in the room and bus
lily enErOsSed in their books and papers.
There was no noise in the room save the
rustic Of page, a. the reader progressed
in his pcruSIl, and everybody seemed to
be perfectly contCnted.
IF these men didn't have something to
read. what would they dO?' asked the
warden. as the recreation ground was
again reached and we walked across the
smooth lawn. a half dozen gardeners
were fixing up flower beds. and they were
as tickled as small boys when the ward
en- showed friendly interest In the prog
ress of the work and bestowed a word of
praise on the looks OF. the beds.
Its surprising what an influence this
lawn and these flower beds have on the
men, said the warden. Il never realized
II until | talked one day with one of the
toughest men in the prison. He was look
ing out of his cell. and. pointing to the
lawn ana IIt mower Deus. ne Sdll. Ou
have no idea warden. how much we APP
preciate all that, and how different 1t
deavored to have as much as possible
made OF the lawns and flower beds. II
their looks could have that influence on
the mind and heart of one hardened man,
what must be the influence on 500 men?
yes indeed" Chiined in the chaplain.
who heard a portion of the warden'S re-
marks. such things have tremendous
influence on man confined here. The
outsider does not appreciate it, because
he cannot. ! remember. not long ago,
that | WAS going through one of the
wings with Il few small flowers in my
hand. AS | passed one Of the cclls-the
cell of Il man who had 4 pretty ugly rep
utation, tool handed him one of the lit
tie lunches Of flowers. A. he took it |
noticed that he turned halfway round.
but ] paid no particular attention t" that;
for he was sulky fellow, ana walked
on. When | returned he called me and
apologiZcd for turning away after had
handed him the flowers. But you have
no idea how those flowers affected me.
he said. That was my mothers favorite
flower. and the very last one which she
pinned in my coat when | lett the Old
home, years ago. to seek my fortune in
the world-thc old nome to which | have
never since returned
I'VE were speaking of books" re-
marked the chaplain, picking UP short
hand textbook. and here is Il book which
helped one man to good position in
WIS located ut Concord. This young man
| speak uf was a bright, smart fellow.
full Of life ana energy. ana the discipline
of the prison was telling ON him 50 that
il was supposed that he was going To he
insane IN fact. he was locked up in the
strong room At the old prison. ! talked
with him, ana found that 10 WAS Intense
II anxious 10 have something to take up
his entire attention, and. rs he spoke of
shorthand | bought him this book. In
4 bout "A fortnight ! went around to soc
him To ascertain how he was progress
ing He handed me the book with the
explanation that he didn't need 1t any
more told him | was in no hurry Tor
until he WAS entirely through with ms
studies but he repeated that he didn't
need il any more. and brought mo Il num- |
Der Of large sheets of paper neatly !
bound on to which he had copied every |
line of the book. verbatim ct literatim ct |
That young fellow became
4 fine .tenugrapher. got 800 month as |
soon rs he was released, and is now |
salesman for Il large house in this city:
If il hadn't been for that book. he would |
probably have gone to an insane aSY-
lum.f
what are the favoritc books?
oh pretty much the same as outside.
lust now there is a strong demand Tor |
Richard Carvel' To Have and Ia Hold, !
When Knighthood Was in Flower. etc.
These books are not on our regular Il |
brary list | buy them myself and keep |
them in my desk | lend them to the |
prisoners each one taking his turn in |
reading them. They send in little slips on |
which they record the names of some of |
hos. lator hooks which do not appear on |