The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-09-16
CURSE OF IMPERIALrYM.
An Imperial Government ana a Re
public Contracted.

An Imperial Government ana q Re
public Contracted.
To the Editor OF The Post.
Houston. Texas, September Isl was
reared in country cursed by oneman
government, where a tyrart had dominion
over the liberties and life OF his sub
jects, and where in my boyhood days l sat
by the roadside and listened to the clank-
ing chains and the agonizing means Of the
Victims Of imperialism as they dragged
their weary limbs toward that bourne from
which no prisoner returns. knowing that
when they arrived at their destination
they would be chained to a wheelbarrow,
become beasts Of burden. full brother to
the OK, herded In pens reeking with flth
tortured by vermin, denied the right OF
speech and the sunlight OF heaven,
scourged and cursed by the brutal Russian
gendarme-I came to look upon impe-
rialism as the primeval curse and the pris-
ON pen as that relentless hell OF which
Dante dreamed, and ! quilted that en-
pire lest too might be condemned to
that inferno as penalty for cherishing
spirit Of liberty.
Coming to the United States / found
there were criminals and prison pens even
in republic, and l fancied l could again
hear the chains. the means ana the lasn
OF the empire, but since my visit to Hunts
vile l thank the American people tnat
there is here a system Of restraint without
brutality: that society can protect itself
agninst the victims without becoming a
social monster.
Arriving at Huntsville I was received by
the gentlemanly officials in so courteous
manner that at once felt at home. I'm
dnR fha ryttI aVnn 49, ,fal II
Payne l was permitted to visit the va
rlous departments Of this vast institution
and to my surprise | found a miniature
city. There is an electric light and water
plant, sewer system, foundry, machine
shop cabinet shop cotton factory, shoe
factory. clothing factory, bakery. bath
rooms, library-in fact, all of the indus
tries usually found in city OF 10000 in
habitants. As to the inmates, we'll saw
no tears, heard no clanking chains, means
nor curses and saw no instruments OF
torture. What may have been in the
minds or hearts of those men know no.,
but to the onlooker they appeared to be
cheerful, healthy men, better housed bet
ter clothed and better fed than are ths
laborlng classes In any OF the cit es Of this
broad land. Their food Is wholesome and
abundant--dinner pals always full. Their
clothing Is OF good quality and Of style
suitable to the circle In which they move
Fortunately, after few washings the oh
1ectionable stripes disappear. In sick
ness they have the comforts OF hospital
and the attendance Of a skilled physician
In mercy patent medicines are barred and
only the purest and freshest drugs are
used. In the chapel DIVINE services are
held each Sabbath and bianhually theatrl-
cal representations are given by local
talent. Each cell has two occupants and
the beds are arranged as in Pullman
sleeper (minus the adornpents). They
dress alike, look alike, and being desig-
mated by number. their Individuality is
lost. They dine at public table and
there is neither aristoorRt nor plutoorat
recognized in this society Ih fact. this Is
the ideal condition for which the social
lists weep and pray and tear their hair. and
instead OF pointing to the United States
postal system as an illustration Of applied
socialism they should serve a term in
huntsville and enjoy socialism In its APP
plication to all industries,
The Huntsville prison Il not only self
supporting, but under the wise manage
ment OF Mr.. w. M. G. Hill there has been
accumulated surplus OF $50. 000--a very
good argument for the advocates of mu-
nicipal ownership
In my opinion II IS a patody on punish
Meut " CONNIE a man whi has no appre-
CITATION OF liberty in a pace like this.
Aside from the stigma that attaches TO
the name convict there is no punishment
except In the loss OF personal liberty. ana
who Will say It IS not punihment enough.
! All, liberty II Is name TO conjure
with and to juggle with.' Ny IDEAL OF
I liberty is that condition in ph,ch the bedy
Is free from chains. the mid from error
and the conscience from rlnging servil-
lty to the Will Of another. To attain lib
erty prisoners have-wth baked hands
ourrowed under granite walls For CON
science sake the spirits OF mtrtyrs have
assembled from the stake. Patriots have
fought for 1t, millions have lied for Il and
yet Is there one who enjoys absolute per-
sonsl liberty? Bn Wilbush.