The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-07-06

What Kansas Penitentiary Pris-
oners Must DO to Get Out.
AGREE TO ATTEND CHURCH.

Also Prayer Meeting and Sunday
School Once Each Week-Require-
ment the Idea of Governor Stubs
! Change In Tone of Appeals From
Convicts.
Governor Stubs Of Kansas has es-
tablished new requirement in the
paroIing and pardoning of prisoners
in the state penitentiary. Hereafter
when a convict is liberated on parole
or by absolute pardon he must stipu-
late in writing that he will regularly
attend church, Sunday school and
prayer meeting once each week. If
tue prisoner is pardoned the governor
will have no recourse if the agreement
is violated. but a paroled prisoner
Fould be returned to the peRitentiary
The parole law of Kansas provides
that convict must agree to keep
away from bad associates, seek en-
pIoyment and lead a moral life
81 have added church going and
Sunday school service to the list, -
Governor Stubs said, because it is
the kind of influence which ought to
comes out of a state penitentiary.
shall insist upon this agreement from
every prisoner paroled, no matter how
exemplary has been his conduct in the
penitentiary."
Governor Stubs does not believe
much in the innocence of men or wom-
en- who get into the penitentiaries of
the country. He entertains high opin-
ions of courts and jurfes that try and
convict them, and he does not believe
a governor should set aside their judg-
ments
The governors attitude has become
known in the state penitentiary. and
the letters which are being received
at the executive office in Topeka from
conVicts are of different tenor from
those that came during the late Hoch
administration. Governor Stubs must
also be convinced that a man is peni-
tent before he will grant a parole or
pardon. even If the judge, the jury and
the prosecuting attorney who convict
ed him petition for the mans release.
He says penitenee is one of the worlds
greatest virtues.
In the Kansas institution, where
more than 1000 prisoners are incar-
cerated, he says there are many who
are contrite, and penitent and who
would make good and useful citizens if
released. These are the men who will
receive favors from Governor Stubs.
but those who write telling of their
innocence do not receive much con.
sideratfon unless they possess the pen
itent spirit.
Governor Stubs wonders if his ex-
perience is similar to that of other
executives throughout the country. If
he were to believe ali the letters writ
ten to him by convicts not less than
so per cent Of the men in the peni-
Tertiary are absolutely innocent, and
the other 10 per cent are only partially
guilty.
Occasionally the governor receives a
letter from a convict who doesn't pre-
tend to be innocent. One of this kind
which came in the mails a few days
ago contained sharp fling at former
Governor Hoch, who. it has been re-
ported. pardoned the murderer Arnold
because he wrote sentimental poem
The conviet's name is withheld by
Governor Stubs. but his letter fol
lows:
Judging from what ! have read, from
conversations held with inmates of this
penitentiary | have arrived at the con-
clusion that am the only guilty scamp
in this place. / can't plead innocence,
can't write classical poem, and | have
no flowers blooming in the conservatory
OF my soul" You have no idea how lone
some this leaves me. Better kick me out
of here lest / corrupt the morals of this
Institution.
This letter is written in a remark
ably fine hand. While the letter is re-
freshing in that it is different from
hundreds of others received from the
same institution. it is likely that before
he grants any favors to this convict
the governor will recommend that he
D3SAu Tilt CuitIFdllOH vi uOh0ES Ill
the conservatory of his SOUL This
expression has been used in jest many
times since 1t was first uttered by
former Governor Hech before the grad
uatfng classes of the State university, |
but Governor Stubs believes in the |
idea it conveys.
Ordinarily the convicts write that |
their morals. which were good when |
they went into the penitentiary, are |
being corrupted by the many criminals |
around them and that they want to |
get out where they can lead useful |
lives. Some of these who have heard |
Of Governor Stubs requirement as /
to church going have written him that |
they desire 20 be released so that they |
may have the advantages of church |
and Sunday school work. to which |
they offer to devote the remainder of |
their lives. One of these offered to
Join any church the governor would |
suggest. The executive is an cid fash
loned Quaker. but he will not use his
power In behalf Of that sect.
The first parole to contain the new
church going condition was issued re-
i