The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-09-03
e DIT o II 1 A l. -.
TALKING PRIVILEGE is EXTENDED

TALKING PRIVILEGE is EXTENDED
HEN Warden Wolfer. accompanied by his
lwI wife, entered the dining hall Sunday
noon and was seen in consultation with
Deputy Warden Sullivan for some time,
II we realized something unusual was to
take place, but were not prepared for
, the munfcent immunity that he
nounced would be granted us, and were
II as much surprised as the rest of the in
mates when the Warden raising his
hand for silence, said:
'Men, am more than pleased
with the way you have used the
privileges granted you, and as stated
at the time, other favors would be
tended as soon as l saw that you in
earnest and deserving of same-and
commencing on Tuesday you will be
allowed to talk every Tuesday and Thurs
day moons, same as you do on Sundays.
l thank you"
And, although we have witnessed some demon
strations the outside, we have never seen a
party of eleven hundred men who were more gen
uine more conscientious grateful than
was the manifestation which followed; and we
noticed on our way out to the cell house there
was many man whose eyes we're dimmed with
the stars" of thankfulness, especially amongst
the odd timers,' who. before the silent system
was abated had to wait for years, from one ho-
day to another, counting the long weary days be-
fore they would have the privilege of conversing
with their fellow inmates.
In our interview with Major McCaughry last
week, he stated, as said in last weeks Mirror,
that the wardens of all penal institutions
changing their ideas in the manner of reforming
the inmates and are glad that such is the case,
for today we have in Minnesota the model prison
of the world in regard to sanitation ventilation,
light and heat and as we read time ago,
the methods of treatment after all, simmer down
to personal equation A prison is only the length
ened shadow of the warden He has in many
ways a curiously despotic power over the inmates.
He can make life hideOus for the unfortunates
der him, or he can tighten their burdens; aud,
as All inmate of the Minnesota State Prison,
can say that although the discipline here is very
strict it is compatible, and with the privileges
that have already been granted, and with those
that will follow in the future, agree with the
commissioners of Germany who sent to this
country to study pathological institutions when
they declared the best prison either in America
Europe was found at Saltwater, Minnesota and
although they had the opportunity to visit and
for themselves all penal institutions, basing
opinion on the reading of the papers published
by the different institutions of the United States.
If you will 60 back with us few months ago,
you will remember that in a talk given us by the
Warden, he told us not to lag along in our line to
work. to the dining hall or to chapel services, he
told us to try and march upright throw out our
chests and look straight ahead Well, Sunday
morning when he reviewed the inmates at drill,
when for the first time he could see all the inmates
at the same time and watch each squad keeping
time to the music of the prison band, every man
trying his best to out-drill the squad in front of
him. we think he more than pleased We
don't know if this had anything to do with the
pedite granting of the extra privileges or not but
at the same time it didn't delay them.
1t is up to as inmates of this institution to
show officers that we are willing to do our best
in everything that is asked of us, and although it
may not come for time, we will get privileges
in the future that we have never dreamed Of