The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1901-02-21


would refuse to grant.
Correctional associations, editors and state
legislatures are realizing the fact that fixed and
unconditional sentence will very seldom if ever do
justice to cause; that punishment must be melted
out to fit the criminal and not the crime; therefore
punishment should be continued untilhe isredeemed
To prolong it is but vengeance and vindctiveness,
which no has right to infict
For those who take life we are no apoligist, and
through our acquaintance with many we can also
add-with perhaps or two exceptions they
themselves abhor the crime most intensely and are
penitent over the deed. The great majority are as
sensitive to the injury of man. fowl or beast as the
average citizen
Every human being become momentarily
heated to committing acts which he would repent
for after. That such misfortune has not
taken is the only reason of the difference of
events In almost every instance these prisoners
are known to have been faithful and diligent work
men, often parent in happy home. We doubt if
there is penologist who can two pardoned
life in the United States without going through
all the records) who repeated the ofense. In the
words of Rev. Graham Taylor before the prison
congress-, To say once criminal always criminal
is blasphemy against God and man.
Penoogy is study judicious knowledge of
which is coalescent with the theorist as oil is
with water. Figures and statistics will give you an
idea to when the average man will die but no statis
tics inform you of the morality Of any one man.
There are not many men with courage suf-
fcient to face the biased and selfish criticism of the
press for the cause of justice and humanity. Gov
Pingree of Michigan is one Of the few and his letter
in reply to press criticisms is we'll worthy of con-
sideration. He wrote in part
"In studying the history Of these convicts COT
Michigan) and the proceedings of the courts came
to the conclusion that very large percentage Of the
inmates of three state prisons were wrongfully
there that the prisoners themselves not receiv
ing any benefit account of long terms for excusa-
able first offenses, society being benefited
by supporting them while their families were starv-
ing from sympathy, the support in the outside world
The consequences of overzealous inhumanity in
criminal cases shocked me as [ reviewed their con-
duct and procedure -"
This is the decision of an humanitarian one of
those few individuals who would rather be right
than be Governor, rather face the censure of the
press and lose chance of reelection than be inhu
name.
During his governorship the average number
annually granted pardon 81 per cent as COM
pared with 1S3 per cent by his predecessor Pres
Mckinley, during the year 1900 extended extensive
clemency to no less than GO per cent Of the cases.
Will some humanitarian compare that with the re-
cord Of this state! "Gov. Pingree Quoting from
the Literary Dgest) maintains that radical reform
in the criminal code and prison system of the state
is absolutely necessary, and hopes that his successor
will recognize the justice of committing all sentences
for murder in the second degree from life to fixed
term
We pleased to learn that Representative
Deming of Hennepin county is also imbued with
this humane spirit. A bill has been introduced in
the house by him to make life sentence equivalent
to 35year sentence.
Let us hope that the good citizens of our state
have stamina and the courage to do what they would
ask of their God, and deny man the opportu nifty
to his salvation and rehabilitation in society
Hope springs eternol in the human 5reast
The biped that will seek notoriety at another
mans expense and injury, whether by truth false
hood is not fit occupant of prison cell. A prison
cell is too good for him; he ought to-wel that
might be spelling good shoe leather. Such freak
and the stoopgeon have place in the category of
manhood of whatever degradation
WE HAVE come in receipt of an invitation to