Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1915-10-08
e n WATSON WRITES
ABOUT TIN PENrrENuARy
TO The Editor OF the purant News:
narant. Oklahoma.

man again have almost served a
second sentence for an act witch
many know was justgiablc. Seven
Ions years OF my llfc have been s,ent
IN the State Prison. years doubty
hard on me. because n deprived me
O. the eompanienship Of my children
az a time In their iivcs when they
missed me and needed my help most
time irreiricvahiy lost to me aud
10 them, Nothing can ever compcn-
safe mo or them fer that loss. They
can never have the education witch
it was my duty and would have been
my pleasure to haze given them. Tor
they have reached the axe when they
must assume the stern dutis OF life.
and ! have become an old man with
the vigor Of youth snd manhood for.
ever gone
You viii please bear With me n I
allow myself the luxury OF a few inn
personal remarks Human nature
seems TO have changed very little
since the days OF our Lords cruoi-
fixion. In His case those In high
places were formenters-they work
ed on the minds OF the people until
a victim was demanded plate gave
them their victim. even though he
washed his hands Today. when
crime. real or imaginary. is commit
ted. the people demand a victim. The
High Priest selects one. and plate.
carefully washing his hands. gives
him TO them. knowledge OF his guilt
OF innocence are unnecessary. The
High Priest selects him. the papers
condemn him. and the rest follows
naturally Many an innocent man
Is condemned TO suffer for the crime
OF another. and coademned often
when no crime at all has been COM
mitted: either framed by the police
to cover their inability. or sacrificed
on the altar OF ambition by some
judge. l; is necessary. OF course.
when crime is committed by a man
that he should be punished. but moth
ing Is sadder or more unjust than
that the innocent should suffer Civ
ilization and the teachings Of Chris
tianity demand that this practice OF
seeking victim be stopped.
ma writing this with no feeling
Of revenge in my heart II you think
that I have committed a crime.
have already paid the penalty inn
posed on me; and I want 10 return
TO spend the balance Of my days with
my children. at peace with the world
and with malice toward none Hence
forth ! want to devote my time to
making amends to my children for
what they have lost. and to reestab-
lish myself in the good opinion of
the good people with whom I may
come in contact.
In this letter feel that will have
failed OF my duty II do not say a
few words about the institution in
which passed the long years since
have been away from my home and
friends. II has teen my only home
for practically seven years. went
there al an age when my habits we're
formed Therefore. was able 10
withstand any evil influences that
might be met In a place OF that sort.
AT an early date after my arrival I
became convinced that Warden Dick
had the welfare OF every prisoner at
heart. and that he vas doing his best
TO make the time as light and short
rs possible. when consistent with the
law and his official duties. deter
mined that everything did would
be In accordance with his wishes and
plans as near as possible. AS con-
sequence I am proud TO say that ]
had his confidence. and. think. his
respect almost since my first arrival
at the prison. Mr. Dick is doing a
great work there. so great. in fact.
that both he and the Institution have
national reputation. one 10 be truly
envied. He has acted upon the idea
that there Is good in everyone, and
tina, the good will Dredominate IL en-
couraged In the right way; and his
ieeS has worked out with the great
est success. Half OF the inmates OF
the prison are trusted 10 go to their
work without guards. Some go to
the farms. while others go to differ
ent parts Of the State 10 improve the
public roads or work on other State
improvements. This Honor sys-
tenn" as Il is called. has already saw
ed the State many thousands OF dol
lars each year. and n II Is continued
and carried out according to the ideas
Of Warden Dick II will continue 10
save many more thousands OF dolIarf
10 the State annually. But OF even
greater importance Ia the fact thai