Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-15

MED them, they went back to the old
game with the expected result, that in
time they. were caught and once more
sent to prison. The what's the use
point of view filled their minds. so they
resolved that when their term in prison
was over they would take up the only
trade they knew, or. at least, the only
one which they believed was open to
them.
Then it was that Mr.. Older. believing
that there was still a place in society
for men who could be shown that Grim
inality was a losing proposition in the
long run, even for the cleverest crooks,
made them plain business offer, as
one man to another. Obtaining their ad-
mission that If they returned to their
old ways following their release from
san Quentin prison it would be only a
question of time when they would be
again wearing stripes in San Quentin
or some other prison, he offered to give
them work on his ranch at fair wages
if they would promise to play straight
and not betray the trust he was willing
to place in them.
Il am willing to take the chances II
you will do Your part by me-" he told
them
They are big. rough and ready, keen
eyed. strapping fellows. who have lived
much outdoors: western men whose
worldly experience enabled them to read
other men. honest men as we'll as men
of their own class. An excellent Judge
Of human nature, Mr.. Older was con-
WINGED that if these ex-criminals gave
him their promise. believing that they
would be fairly dealt with, they would
keep it. So he took them out to Sara
toga and put them 10 work at fair wages
under the immediate charge of the for
mer bandit and stage robber.
That was several years ago. Not once
since then have any of them by word
or deed violated the trust placed in them
In outward appearance they are like the
run of their fellow-men, while their con-
duct is as good as that of men who have
never served prison terms.
them with my life Yes. SO much trust
have l in those boys that while much
of my time is necessarily spent in San
family at the ranch with no one else
there but those men. I am firm in the
belief that every member of my family
is as safe with them as II these former
criminals had never served a day IN
prison.
MY experience with them has con-
tirmed the belief I have formed after
talking with any number of other ex-
convicts whose cases / have studied and
with whom | have come into close con-
tact. That is. that former convicts are
not. as many well meaning people be-
lieve them to be. distinct class. differ
ing in many essentials from other classes
of society. but men with hearts and con-
sciences who are only too anxious to dc
the right thing and be honest II some
one will only aid them and give them
helping hand instead of a kick. There
is better side equally in the ex-con.
Wet and in other men. That is the side
to which I appeal in dealing with mer
of this class, and the onlys SIDE 1t mus
be evident. from which they can and
should be approached.
1T does seem that there is something
askew in our present social system when
We send men to prison for wrongdoine
and then make no provision to prevent
them from returning to criminal ways
after they are discharged upon complet
ing their terms Of imprisonment. W.