The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1909-07-15

to show advantages which all may con-
prehend; but the greatest benefits are
only known to the inmates themselves,
and it is of these we would speak.
"It is but a few years ago when the
college paper had as bitter opposition
as could ever be waged against STINT
lar departure from fixed ide IS, but to-
day there is scarcely high-school OF
merit but has its paper, we'll regulated,
and properly edited aud published. It's
advantages areso many and so great
that it is accepted as proper adjunct
to any advanced school without ques-
tion. We only mention this to recall
the fact that no enterprise, being sud-
den or great departure from fixed rules,
can start without opposition. Wehave
had opposition, but it has been so mba-
ger that it is scarcely worth mention
ing. The press has almost universally
sustained us and from every part OF
the country as we'll as from across the
Atlantic we have received from persons
of high literary standing, the most en-
couraging assurances. We are thank
full for those expressions of favor, for
The Mirror has been to the inmates Of
this prison, what no prison has ever
had-a proper medium through which
to reach the public mind. We make
the assertion without fear of contradic-
tion, that no reader of The Mirror who
has read thoughtfully, holds the same
opinion that he or she held when they
began to read it, And why2 Because
they have been enabled to catch
glimpse, be it ever so slight, of the ef-
fects of imprisonment upon the mental
faculties. This is something that the
law which imprisons totally disregards.
The principle ia law is, q certain
amount Of punishment for certain
degree of crime; no thought of leading
the offender away from crime, but
plunging him deeper into the whirlpool
of crime and degradation. It is thus
we have done permanent goods~6ghe
benefits to the inmates as contributors
and readers, is beyond calculation.
From the educated down to those who
have gained their slight education here,
the advantages of exchanging ideas,
learning the most logical and humane
views Of penologists, discussing the
causes which lead to crime, and view
ing the methods of those who labor to
recall our class from crime to useful
pursuits-all have had an influe nee for
good. Then why not continue? There
is only ole reason known. We must
depend upon outside support, as no
money will be received from inmates
hereafter. In fact, none has been re-
ceived from this source for months.
"If there was no other benefit de-
rived from the publication Of paper
in prison, the fact that it familiariEes
the public with what prison is, would
be of sufficient weight to justify its
publication. We are sustained by the
leading men of our own State. We
have published atdifferent times letters
from some OF them, assuring US of their
approval, and encouraging us to con-
tinue the enterprise.
Thankful for the generous support
we have received during the past year,
We hope for q continuance of the same,
and we promise, if permitted to con-
tinue our publication, to avoid the err
rors of the past and advance toward q
more perfect publication"
And with the next number of the pa
per the name of w. F. Myrick disap-
peared as editor. Since then The Mir
ror has been edited and published by
the inmates.