The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-10-18
A PRISON LESSON.

the State prison outbreak at Rawlins'
| 10 the effect that leDity shown 10 the
lprisoncrs and the sentimental idea
that men who are without honor could
be put upon their honor in the manage
ment of the state pcniteutiary has
much 10 do with the trouble. The
mass meeting held in Ravlius WAS sup
posed TO he certain of censuring the
state administration on this poiut. but
tho Influence of Governor Carey Vas
sufficient 10 prevent any resolution "i
censure being passed, Aud yet the ieei
ing that too much lenity has been
shown TO the prisoners and that the
administration has been too lax un-
doubtcdly prevails in thc minds of very
MANY of Wyoming : citizens.
There has been 4 sort OF contagious
outbreak of scntmcutaiity III a mum
ber of state administrations in the pas
few wears. Governor West of Oregon
has been thoroughly devoted To the
idea that a felon is a trustworthy char
acter. full OF good impulses, strong
in morality, and honorable above the
common run of men. The results have
been that the Oregon penitentiary has
lost by escapes very large number OF
its couvicts.
Governor Hunt Of Arizona is another
executive who thinks that conVlcts are
admirable associates, and his tastes
lead him 10 associate with them, 10
trust them, aud to risk their safe keep
ing. to the ultimate injury Of the com
muuity.
The cases OF Governor West and OF
Governor Hunt have been made con
crnors TO have the country understand
by tclegrsphic reports that they are III
the forefront Of advancement Oh this
matter. and that they are running
their penitentiaies on the highest and
most progressive beneficial standards,
II is undoubtedly true that there are
a good MANY prisoners IN any pcnitcn
tiary that has large numbers OF them,
that are in the main trust worthy when
their word Is given. Prisoners there
for various sorts OF ohcnses other than
theft. cold blooded murder, and vicious
sexual offcDscs. are to be trusted.
with proper selection. But the mass
of the prisoners arc absolutely untrust-
worthy, degraded, and lacking IN
honor, pride, or respect for law, com
munitv right. or their own word. To
treat them as honorable members of the
community, men who are entitled to re
spect and confidence, is grotesquc
farce.
Ii is true that in the cases Of Oregon
aud Arizona there have been no spec
tacular performances such as the lynch
ing in the Wyoming penitentiary and
the double break whereby the peni'
tentiary was so largely emptied; but IN
Oregon at least there have been very
large numbers of escapes, and doubtless
the same will be true in Arizona.
Wherever confidence is tried it is sure
case that the r"sentimentaffy, the
idea that prisoners are honorable men
and dependable citizens, will with abso-
lutte certainty lead TO disastrous results.
Wyoming has had a lesson that will
certainly not be lost upon Wyoming,
and ought not to be lost upon Oregon,
Arizona, or any other State where the
chief executive may be inclined to take
sentimental ideas about the natura!
goodness and trustworthiness OF felon,
there imprisoned. There, can be no
doubt but that the experience of the
ages is valuable in this matter. and
that the one who INDUCES in undue
sentimentality with Prospect 70 that
class OF humanity i certain in the long
run 10 do so TO has discontinue The
| idea that State Prison can be made
self-governing republic is one of the
singular fallacies that one would hard.
| ly expect 10 find iu the mind of any
/ one capable Of being elected Governor
of State And vet. siugularly enough
+ that l. where il is found. and convict
government is sbou; what the sen
timental idea amounts TO. The heavy
lesson of experience is probably Tho
only thing that will eradicate such
sentimentalitv from the minds Of such
tnN,runr.