The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15
REFORM IN SIBERIA.

CONCLUDED FROM PAGE !. PART p
sent must already be known to you. Did
you intend them for others to read?'
1 confessed that 1 hoped to read them
20 my cellmates in order TO improve their
minds.
Improve the minds OF murderers,
thieves and robbers, by Hugo, Dickens
you are joking" cried the captain. Re-
fleet, 1 don't believe in CORPORAL punish
ment; still long experience has taught me
that this sort of people can be managed
only by terror. You may try, though. II
It does not do any good. it will do no
HARM
As 1 walked of with my treasures the
captain recalled me- - forgot to say that
your mother sent a book by Flammarion;
that. Of course. 1 can't let you have"
I expressed sincere regrets at the refusal,
but the director was obdurate. 1.-THE book
deals with the heavens and the stars-a
ticklish subject. If the Holy Synod learned
that L permitted II to circulate in the prison
It would make no end Of a row.
COMPLAINTS WE'RE MADE.
The right TO complain was in no wise in
terfered with. Every prisoner was permit
ted to lodge charges against the admins
tration in the complaint book, which. on
the LIST of each month. was dispatched to
the Governor. At the same time we were
permitted to complain directly, through
the elder, to the warden and to those ad-
ministrative officers who occasionally came
TO Inspect the prison 1 remember the case
Of a murderer named Mussal who was set
at liberty two weeks before his time by ap-
pealing to the visiting Governor of the
Nortchinsk district This Excellency. as
well the others I met with, treated the
prisoners most kindly, and patiently heard
all they had TO say, encouraging them to
ask favors. At one time a cellmate of
mine told the Governor a lie and was
proved liar on the spot. But all his Ex-
cellency replied was: MY dear fellow,
don't waste more breath in that way. It's
a nasty thing to lie"
On another OCCASION when several short
termed prisoners were ordered to Sachalin,
the following conversation between them
and the captain occurred at roll call:
Several prisoners speaking at Once-Wor-
ehipful sir. pray remember that we have
wife and children. 1t will be impossible to
transport them to the island.
Others speaking at the same time-Mr.
Administrator, allow us TO take the place
OF these men. We are quite willing to go
20 Sachalin.
The Captain-Silencel Do you suppose
can listen to a dozen at once? forwarded
your petition for and against transporta-
sion, but they seem TO have done no good.
Now, can but advise you to telegraph to
your wives and children to start at once
Tor this place, so you can travel together.
Prisoners-Will it be permissible for us to
Telegraph TO the Governor to leave us here?
The Director-You can telegraph him all
you want to, at your own cost But ad-
wise you to save your money, for it won't
do you the least bit of good
SACHALIN.
As the above shows. opinions differed
with respect TO Sachalin as a desirable
abode for prisoners. Some described the
island as a living grave from which no one
returned. Others, who spoke from expert
ence. or who knew prisoners who had
served a term on the island, were very
eager to go there.
THE stories that prisoners have to work
IN the coal mines. standing up to their neck
in water. is all nonsense" they said. THE
government asks very little work OF them,
and even the worst prisoners are made
crown colonists soon after arrival there The
colonists receive even tools and cattle.
money even TO enable them to start house
en- to select wife from. The women are,
OF course. criminals like themselves"
COUNT MELSCHIN.
st. Petersburg. December. 1901.
Copyright. 1901. by Henry w. Fischer.l