The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15
The Present Gar Has Abolished Hor-
rOrs and Greatly Improved
Prison Methods.
TESTIMONY OF AN EX-CONVICT
COUNT MELsCHIN, A RUSSIAN POLITI-
CAL PRISONER, TALKS.
He Reports that the Treatment Is HUI
name and Much Better Than
Most of the Men Deserve.
Of the Indianapolis Journal

NEW YORK. Dec. 13.-Just ten years
ago that brave American, George KEENAN,
published his siberia and the Exile Sys-
tem," one of the greatest and most truth
full books of all times.
His stories of the fogging TO death OF /
young and educated woman in the mines OF
Kara, his reports on prison consumption
and the wholesale slaughter Of the VIC
tins of despotism by knout. starvation,
nauseating food, overwork, torture and
cruelties of all sorts, were, of course, Wig
orously denied by the Russian govern
ment. but Remnants book and the indigna-
ton il aroused all over the world, never
theless caused the Gar to command
complete, but gradual reform Of the exile
system in all its branches. OF these re-
forms we have heard from time to time,
but the news. coming from official sources,
was not believed. and the world continued
10 look upon Siberia as hell on earth.
Now comes Count L. Melschin, Russian
nobleman, who atoned for his political
crimes by eight years imprisonment in
Siberia. and tells us-a truthful witness
who indeed, is at war with his govern
Inent-he tells us that the exile system. as
KEENAN, described it, no longer exists, that.
thanks to Nicholas (and Remnants criti-
cism). even the worst of prisoners are now
treated with kindness and consideration
American public opinion, then, has done
away with the most horrible blot on civili-
zation's escutcheOn.
FIRST SIGHT OF THE PRISON.
1t was a beautiful September day when
we arrived at prison Schelai. The sun was
shining brightly and over the flower
strewn landscape wild birds and pigeons
were roaming. The prison buildings, rising
at the foot of the river, were brand new,
their walls having no visible arrangements
10 prevent escape. The sun used the high,
but narrow windows for mirrors and made
the golden crosses over the roof and cor
nices look brighter.
Captain of staff Lutschesaroff. the direc-
tor OF the prison. received us at the head
of his officials and keepers. Attention,
hold your tongues, were the first words
we heard. The prisoners were so travel
worn and tagged out that some of them;
doubtless. did not hear the order. The
captain. used 10 military discipline, got red
in the face. why L not obeyed?" he
cried sharply.
Pardon. worshipful sir, some of the men
failed TO hear the order. We are so tired"
The captain waved his hand to indicate
that the incident was closed. Cover your
selves. brothers. he said, good-naturedly.
"and listen 10 what / have to say.
Brothers the home which his Majesty
has prepared for you that you may atone
for your crimes is new one. it never saw
a prisoners face until this minute Now
some of you may have been in other ST.
berian penitentiaries where discipline is
lax or where prisoners suffer because the
letter OF the law, not the spirit, is
Eorced. For my part, | shall enforce the
spirit of the law. and enforce it energetic
eally. No cards, no vodka, no uncleanly
habits here. No disobedience. No comedies
either. I will have your leg-fetters removed
at once. as l recognize their uselessness.
and want you to be as comfortable as the
law allows"
Next we were told TO undress-in the
open: IL was warm enough for that on
this last day of September-and the prison
clothes were handed out. everything new:
two shirts two pairs of drawers, as many
socks, a jacket. trousers. long blouse. NIT
tens and cap. After that one-half OF
each prisoners head was shaved We were
$50 and ii was almost dark when we as
sembled before the director a second time
A SECOND ADDRESS.
Brothers" so ran his address, 'I am
glad to you look clean and healthy
but am not content with the mere look Of
things You will successfully go to the
bathhouse and be steamed to-day and ev-
cry week hereafter; there must not be a
dirty person In this prison, and no hungry
one Attention now: recognize your right
20 elect an elder. or representative. who
shall have my ear whenever there is a lust
complaint on your part. Complaints about
the food, overwork or administrative acts
whatever are in order. You shall also have
the right TO elect cook and baker for
each cell where twenty prisoners room
J. myself will nominate the elder Of
each cell and the nurses. For the
next three days you shall rest after
your long march. Work begins on the
morning of the fourth. Now we will pray,
or. better still, will sing. do not believe in
the silent prayer of prisoners Singing is
good for the lungs"
After the singing. a voice heard TO
say: Pray. WOrshipful sir. let's all go to
the bathhouse now. altogether. ii will be
so much more fun"
Fun" cried the captain; you are not
here for amusement. my boy. and your
little speech will cost you three days OF
solitary confinement with water and bread
instead OF the regular fare Take him
away"
This was the usual punishment for dis
obedience or freshness solitary confne-
ment no more no less. The whip was. how
ever, not wholly abolished when l entered
Schelai. II was kept hanging In the corri-
dor a warning viI-dOers. During the
first year or my stay II was applied per-
haps half a dozen times. but the victims
were more frightened than hurt by the
instrument or torture" Of which outsiders
tell such horrible tales one of the whipped
prisoners laughed when Il asked him
whether he was I'm pain. "Pshaw." he said.
its no more than form. Nikitka was
only once actually touched by the whip.
and as for myself IL just tickled me- But
the excitement good as a steam
bath. II you want a bath out OF season pro-
cure a whipping
Al that time even women were stilI
whipped in Siberian prisons. but the sys-