The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-02

| REFORMATION OR REVENGE?
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged
and by the fear of the Lord men depart
/ from evil--Proverbs 1876.
1t must have been a severe trial to
| Emmett Dalton last Thursday when he
| found it necessary, in order to keep his
| promise, to again go back to Lansing
| and take up the life of convict in the
state prison after four months of free
| dom. The average man probably can
not realize the trial which such an
| obligation would be, yet Emmett Dali
ton faced it like a man. He himself
made the discovery that his parole ex-
pired five days sooner than was antici-
pated, and he fastened back to give
himself up to the warden of the peni-
tentiary in order that there might be
not even the least suggestion that he
had overstayed his time or violated the
confidence placed in him.
The fact that afterwards, at the last
moment before the penitentiary gates
opened to receive him, a brief reprieve.
came from Governor Hoch does not
alter the poignancy of the ordeal nor
the spirit with which Dalton faced it
Bitter as it must have been, he was on
hand for twenty-four hours before the
prison authorities would receive him.
OF course, Dalton has doubtless
hoped that when he went back to Lan-
sing it would be with a pardon from
Governor Hoch making him a free
man, but the fact that he had to go
without a pardon, without even the as
surance that it would ever come, and
with his injured arm still in bad con-
dition. did not cause him to hesitate.
1t is difficult to see how good can
be accomplished by keeping Emmett
Dalton longer in the penitentiary. II
revenge were the motive for incarcer
ating men in prison in these enlight-
ened days there might be excuse for
refusing him a pardon; but if reforma-
ton and the good of society is the object
of penal Institutions as is the modern
theory, Emmett Dalton has demon
strated that he should be given his
freedom.
During the months that Daltoh has
been in Topeka he has impressed upon
those with whom he has come in con
tact that he is honest and sincere. He
has led quiet, orderly life. Those
who know him believe that if given a
chance he will make a better citizen
than many a man who prides himself
on his good conduct. Therefore justice
and mercy demand that he be given the
chance.
Some people may argue that men
convicted of wrong-doing should be
punished as an example to other men.
There is much of plausibility in this
reas oning, but it is doubtful if it will
stand analysis when carried to ex-
tremes. Some men are deferred fl ON |
crime possibly by the fear of pun l.
ment, and there should\ be some pun |
yet fear does not deter others |
who are criminally bent. There are |
men who serve term in the peniten- |
tiary and who go forth unrepentant, |
who speedily fall into criminal ways |
again and find their way back to |
prison. The fear of punis hment is not |
as strong with the criminal as most |
people suppose.
On the other hand, a pardon given |
to the man who is sincerely repentant |
and has reformed is an incentive to
cad others to reformation. Thus view
ed from all angles it is doubtful if the |
theory of excessive punishment for the
purposes of inspiring fear Is renable.
Then. again, such mercy and for
siveness extended to repentant fellow
men is only following the teachings of
he Great Father himself. The erring
nan who retains his hardness of heart
enced to punishment by the Judge OF
III men, but the moment he is re-
,entant forgiveness is his. Can hu-
nanity improve on that plan?