The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-09-12
BRILLIANT MEN WHO ARE
BEHIND PRISON BARS
1.-The Star of Hope" in Which Convicts Give
Their impressions of Prison and the
World That Lies Beyond

| The publication of the Star of Hone,
a paper edited and printed by the pris-
oners in the various prisons of this
state, which was made possible through
the sound Judgment and humanitarian
ism of Superintendent of Prisons C. ".
| Collins, has demonstrated the fact that
the movement was a wise one and one
that has tended to educate the unfor-
tunate men who have been incarcerat-
ed behind the prison walls, says the
Troy IN. W Budget. 1t also shows
that there are exceedingly bright men
in prison, men who have been placed
there because in the course of their
some time and have been compelled to
suffer for their wrong-doings. The
Star of Hope is probably one of the
brightest and best edited papers of the
kind in the world. The articles are
contributed by men confined in the va
rious prisons and they touch on the
live topics of the day. These articles
show deep thought and a fine appre-
citation of the subjects treated upon.
1t also indicates that the prisoners
must have access to the newspapers Of
the day and to many valuable works Of
reference, for they write on subjects OF
the present and handle many of them
in a mastery style. 1t seems a pity
that men with such bright minds and
intellects should be compelled to waste
their lives behind prison bars. Yet
such is the fate of those who violate
the laws Of the state.
The current issue of the Star of Hope
is one of the best that has been issued.
The paper has been in existence now
five years and over and is published
bi-weekly Usually the men who edit
long terms in prisons and are usually
editor-in-chief of the Star of HOPE Is
Convict 1900 of Sing Sing prison, and
he has staff of able assistants.
THE NEGRO PROBLEM.
In the current issue No. 26,407 of Au-
burn contributes an able article on
1.-The Negro Problem" He handles the
subject in a manner which indicates he
has kept abreast of the times on the
subject. He concludes his article thus:
1.-The problem before us is not to be
worked out by human wisdom and pru-
dence alone. God has a hand in its So
luton. We need to understand, though,
that honesty, sobriety and strict moral
| ity are the tests of true religion.
Scriptural religion, if practised in al
grades of society, will reconcile the
races. Education, philanthropy and
religion can and will solve the negro
problem
THOSE GOING OUT.
Convict 1929 of Clinton contributes
an interesting article on 'Those Going
Out" He gives them vast amount of
good advice. He points out to those
who are going out the lesson that is
taught by the constant stream of re-
turning convicts who when they obtain
their liberty are quickly back again.
Those, he declares, go out with a fixed
determination to gain a living dishon-
estly and Illegally. He holds that So
ciety will hold the ex-convict with sus-
picion even though he may desire to
lead an honorable life. He tells them
they must expect to meet opposition
in every direction, but ali these things
they must bear stoically and strive 10
overcome the prejudices by right-doing.
He advises them, if they do not like
prison life, to go to some place where
they are not known, secure honest en-
ployment and then do nothing for
which the law can call them to ac-
count. He urges them to go to those
who have expressed a desire to help
them, do as they say and lead honor
able and honest lives and thus keep
out of the prisons.
THERE ARE POETS.
Many of the prisoners write poetry
and some of it is excellent. They take
many kinds of subjects and deal with
them in a pleasing manner. Usually
they are pathetic and the following one
touches the heart. 1t was written by
Convict 27,3SS of Auburn on the receipt
of news of the death of his father. 1t
follows:
| 'In silence and in my lonely cell,
| Alone with my saddened heart
A heart o'erfiowing with agoniZing
| thoughts,
| While my tears, unbiddingly they
start.
|