The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1912-08-08
-J $1.OOa Year
TERMS: 6Months Fifty Cts.

With this issue The Mirror starts
on the second year of its existence,
and with the first number of the new
year we deem it proper to say a
word for our little paper. That the
enterprise has not been failure
financially is evident. 1t has con-
tributed $4,000 to the library fund
and has paid all expenses thus far,
and now has small surplus in the
treasury. 1t has furnished weekly to
inmates exchanges besides maga-
zines, statistical reports and books.
1t has thus been the means of
supplying a great deal of valuable
reading matter which would not
otherwise have been furnished.
These matters we mention to show
advantages which all may compre-
bend; but the greatest benefits are
only known to the inmates them
selves, and it is of these we would
speak.
1T is but few years ago when
the college paper had as bitter op-
position as could ever be waged
against a similar departure from
! fixed ideas, but today there is scarce
| ly high school of merit but has its
paper, well regulated, and. properly
edited and published. Its advan-
tages are so many and so great that
it is accepted as a proper adjunct to
any advanced school without ques
ton. We only mention this to re-
call the fact that no enterprise, be-
ing a sudden or great departure from
fixed rules, can start without oppo-
sition. We have had opposition, but
it has been SO meager that 1t is
scarcely worth mentioning. The
press has almost universally sustain
ed us and from every part OF the
country as we'll as from acoss the
Atlantic we have received from per-
sons of high literary standing, the
most encouraging assurances. We
are thankful for those expressions OF
favor, for The Mirror has been to
the inmates of this prison, what no
prison has ever had-a proper medi-
um through which to reach the pub
lie MUD. We make the assertion
without fear of contradiction, 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 why?
, Because they have been enabled to
catch glimpse, be it ever so slight,
t of the effects of i'm prisonment upon
the mental faculties. This is some
thing that the law which imprlsons
> totally disregards. The principle
! in law is, a certain amount OF pun
ishment for certain degree of
. crime; no thought of leading the Of
fender away from crime, but plung-
. ing him deeper into the whirlpool OF
+ crime and degradation. 1t is thus
we have done a permanent good.
: The benefits to the inmates as con-
e tributors and readers, is beyond cal
q culation. From the educated down
e to those who have gained their slight
+ education here, the advantages Of
K exchanging ideas, learning the most
logical and humane views Of penolo-
s gists, discussing the causes which
o lead to crime, and viewing the meth
; DDS of those who labor to recall our
class from crime to useful pursuits
4 all have had an influence for good.
a Then why not continue? There is
+ only one reason known. We must
O depend upon outside support, as no
q money will be received from inmates
e hereafter. In fact, none has been
s received from this source in months.
It Thankful for the generous sup
J. port we have received during the
e past year, we hope for contlnu-
f ance of same, and we promise, II per-
It mitted to continue our publication
IS to avoid the errors Of the past and
Ii advance toward more perfect pub
d lication."
r. And with the next number of the
e paper the name of w. +. Myrlck
v disappeared as editor. Since then
The Mirror has been edited and pub
j. lished by the inmates.