The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-01-29
AL JENNINGS IS
A new vAUEAN
Governor Cox's Paper, the Dayton News,
Makes His Life'S Story the Subject
Of a Very Interesting Editorial and
Draws a Lesson From it.
REFORM THE PRISONER

REFOKM l 7E TNloOlN6N
The Dayton, Ohio News, Govern
or Cox's organ, draws lesson from
the reformation of Al Jennings the
erstwhile candidate for governor of
Oklahoma. in lengthy but intense
ly interesting editorial which we
deem worthy of reproduction. The
News says:
''Bv reason of the story of his life,
published last fall in the Saturday
Evening Post, Al Jennings became
a national character.
yet it is possible that some of
the persons who read all or part OF
the recital of the crimes, imprison-
ment and reform of this singular
character were not clear as to his
reality. Doubtless many thought
the story was true, but the name
fictitious.
IF there were any persons who
had this notion it should be dispell-
ed by the announcement that AL
Jennings is candidate for the Dem
ocratic nomination for governor OF
Oklahoma. He is very real per-
sonage.
Jennings made this announce
ment in New York few days ago.
1t is the last chapter of his autobi-
ography-to date. The magazine
articles left him fighting for clean
government is his own county, and
leading a moral, thoroughly respect
able life. Now he is carrying the
fight into the politics of his state.
Career is a Puzzle
doubtless the career of this man
is puzzle to most people. Most
men who have been fortunate
enough to regain a standing in soci-
ety after Imprisonment are anxious
to lead quiet lives that do not tend
to stir up references to their past
history.
Not so with Al Jennings. He
has courage. He has discrimination
which the public usually lacks. He
has ability and he proposes to use 1t
to fight dishonesty and political
crimes and misdemeanors. 1t did
not deter him when men insulted
him because of his past. He has
all along, since his reform, been
conscious of his own honor. He
proposed to be full-sized man, and
was perfectly willing to fight for the
privilege.
Jennings has had a chance to
look at life from a different angle.
Most of us, who do not commit stat
utory crimes, or at least do not get
caught at them, have not been in
prison. We have not had the quie-
tude of the cell. and the brutality OF
prison guards to spur us to an un-
usual quality of thinking. Jennings
has had this opportunity.
Doubtless he thought great
deal about it while he was in the
Ohio penitentiary. After he got out
of prison and was leading decent
life, trying to regain his place in So
ciety, he would have opportunity
for more thinking.
Here is one of the conclusions
he came to, as he expressed his ideas
in New York this week:
Had Been q Train Robber
~ had been a train robber, a
crude open defer of society, and |
had been caught and punished. l
saw all aoout me men who wore the
best clothes and stood high in soci-
ETY. robbing the people right and left,
and not getting ceught or being
punished. They were not as primi-
tive as | had been in the method
they chose. They did things in the
dark and only appeared in the open
when they had on their Sunday
clothes, SO to speak. But, tell me.
what is the difference between the
man who holds up train at the
point of gun and he who loots the