Arizona republican., 1906-11-27
WHERE PAYMENTISMA
 OF THE WAGES OF SIN
The Penitentiary at Yuma Where Att tention Is Also Given to the Refor. mation Of Men.

Millay of the Yuma penitentiary.
 A gentle, modest, reserved man is the head of the penitentiary. There is lit tie likelihood that when he was a youth two score years ago in his far-off New England home, J Try Millay ever en- teftained ideas of being the superin- tendent of an institution for the inn prisoning and keeping in restraint as well as the possible reforming of the vicious element of territory nearly 5000 miles to the west. Yet that is what he is today and from the appearance of the penitentiary and of the convicts, he is more than making good.
 It is motley crowd that is gathered inside the frowning walls of Arizona s penal institution with its little guard houses and the guards that pace the walls with their ominous looking rifles that are almost certain to speak death" every time they are called up- on for it is well known that the pen itentiary guards are expert marksmen. This criminal aggregation comes form all sections and includes many races With possibly rare exceptions where innocent men may some times suffer the prisoners are sent to a penitentiary because they have committed some crime which may be anything from rolling an intoxicated person down and out from too much liquor. to the taking of a human life.
 In such a crowd it is possible that there is some good but it is a certainty that there is much bad. To endeavor then to reform as many as possible of the wrong-doers who are sentenced to wear a felon's stripes is a task of no small proportions. It is however the real test of a first class warden or pen itentiary keeper.
 It is not such a difficult matter to preserve order and to prevent out breaks in a penitentiary. Ordinary caution coupled with the thirty thirties" in the hands of the wall guards do that. Convicts are human in large measure and as humans they love life and are not going to throw themselves away unless they see chance for betterment. They realize that to attempt an outbreak means that rain of bullets fired by marks men who can hit the bulls eye at 200 yards will be showered upon them.
 
 And then there is not a single indi- vidual behind the penitentiary walls in whose breast there does not live the hope of possible pardon or parole no matter whether the convict be a short timer or a 'lifer" Others before have been paroled or pardoned. Why then should those remaining not have hope that by some possible chance fortune may smile on them so that they will again be free?
 But as to reform-it is a different. a much more difficult matter. The pris- .oner coming to the penitentiary for the first time keenly feels the suit of stripes and the shaving of the head un- less he is utterly abandoned. And then he ramains for a year possibly. or it may be many years. But there comes time when the sentence ex- pires and then what2 IL is not a pleas ing proposition that confronts the con vict about to be released. He is gi-en a suit of clothes. a five-dollar piece and a ticket to either Los Angeles or Tue son. Thus arrayed the penitentiary gates swing open and the territory bids him "Go forth" The world is admit. tedly cold and it may be that he may encounter those who know he is an ex- convict. He will be pointed out. pos sibly he will lose a position he may have secured and then in desperation he may again wander from the straight path and land back in the penitentiary. Instances of this kind are numerous. Or it may be that the convict has lost hope through his imprisonment and will make no effort to lead an honest life.
 It is with these men that the warden must deal and his task of transforming them into good citizens is a most mo- mentous ohe.
 Yet Warden Millay is confident that the closing of the penitentiary gates does not mean the utter damnation of a man who has gone wrong. He knows that men who have been released dur ing his superintendencv have reformed and are leading straightforward lives. He believes that others who will go out soon will lead better lives. He realizes also that there are many who will fall probably before they get out of Yuma.
 Warden Millay believes in kindness. He believes in treating the convicts as IT they were HuDldn DtiuBS- ne dOFo not believe that any convict can be driven into reform by harsh treatment. And yet 1t must not be believed that Warden Millay can be imposed upon nor that he is wanting in administering punishment when punishment is need ed On the other hand he is known to be a severe disciplinarian when disci- pline is necessary.
 Warden Millay takes great interest in the convicts. He studies them close ly and endeavors to help them-to make them see that there Is still a chance for them to redeem themselves. He walks among the convicts and calls them by name and all of them address him respectfully He carries only his walking stick. He walks into the black smith shop where all kinds of heavy instruments are within reach of the convicts. Yet none have ever offered to molest him. Nor has there been any attempt to escape. or course ,t must be remembered that there are inside guards who have shary eyes and keen ears for they are among men. many oi whom are desperate and no chances can be taken.
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