The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1909-11-04

SALTWATER
grade, end if he succeeds in getting a
number of credit marks, he
is, in six months advanced to the first
grade where he has more privileges, and
where he remains, unless he falls from
grace by not conforming to require
ments. They arise at six a. M, and
upon signal face tie doors of their cells
and when unlocked step out and march
in line to the dining room, a special
building a short distance from the wing.
A marked distinction is made between
the white men and negroes, even in the
prison, still all receive the same treat
ment, food, accommodations of any
nature. Distinction seems to be made
without special preference. The white
men enter the dining room by one door
and negroes by another, going to their
respective sides of the room. They eat
in the same room, but not at the same
tables, the dividing line being partly
the kitchen which extends half way
across the room and the other half being
just a wide open space. All conversa-
tion stops when this room is reached.
There is no lockstep. The tables are
about twentyeight inches wide, and are
covered with OilclOth. All the dishes
are granite. White men are permitted
to use knives and forks, while the ne
groes have to content themselves with
spoons, for when given knives q
forks, they cannot resist the temptation
to fight. Food is plentiful, and they
are given all they wish. Not being per-
mitted to speak in the dining room,
signs are made, and they are given all
they desire. All food for officers and
convicts is cooked in the same kettles.
There is no difference made in the quail
| ity, except, perhaps the officials may
have dessert at dinner. About 100 hun
dred gallons of coffe e are made for each
meal, and about eight bushels of corn
meal are used in making the brea d.
| About thre e times a week light bread
is served to everybody. The average
Southerner thinks he would die if he
had to eat light bread often. Light t
bread is wheat bread, and CORN BREAD
they speak of as BREAD. They always
have cne vegetable and meat for dinner
They drink coffee, milk or water, which
ever they prefer, and all they want OF
it. They are allowed thirty minutes fol
each meal. Every morning each man
is assigned task, given SO much work
to do, and when that is done he ma,
call his day over, or he may continue
to work and for that he receives over
time, which he gets in Cash for his serv
ices. Some men have to their credi
as high as $500 at the end of tn
month. At five p. m., the days worl
ends. After supper they march to thei
cells and stand inside and face tn
door until the court is made to see
any are missing. If correct, they ar
, then barred and double bolte
Every cell has an electric light whic
burns until nine O'Clock. Every ma
, is permitted to follow his inclination
/ after supper in his cell. He may smok
t or chew, but cigarettes are barred
4 Every Saturday each inmate receive
l his allowance of tobacco for tie weel
Some ofthe. men are watchmakers an
4 their cells look like small jewelry shop
| A few read or write, but it must be yer
4 few when 20 percent cannot read. Tw
]. guards stay on duty in each corride
J., The floors are concrete.
- There is library Of one thousan
+ volumes, and the prisoners may have on
d book week. l cannot see the reaso
b why books may not be given any tim
o when wanted. The library has bee
>. donated. 1t seems the State does NJ
d set aside any money for the intellectu
Q development of our convicts, for the
n tell me no literature is bought and sci
IS into tie State prison which is an e.
Z pense to the State. There is attentie
n paid to instructing those who need an
require it, in the common schot
s branches. 1t does seem as thoug
8 when finished the task assigned him f
n the day, and he was through by two
,r twothirty o'clock in the afternoon
ir should have q chance to develop b
l. mind, and especially when he has new
h had a chance to 60 to school, as mai
t. have not in the State of Tennessee,
d. should not only be given the chant
ID but should be compelled to take |