The mirror., 1923-09-06
PIERIAN CHAUTAUOUA CIRCLE

tember-a curious blend of coolth and
warmth in the refreshing air which makes
one think of the nearness of autumn. Of
course we shall have many more warm
and hot days and we shall enjoy many
more yard privileges before the weather
becomes too cool. But we seem to sense
in the present crispness, unusual at this
time of year, all the harbingers of fall
and early winter; and we are reminded
without any meteorological data that Min
nesota is near that zone which suffers
much extreme cold weather.
And, too, the cool weather brings to
mind those activities which superSede the
yard privileges with their ball games and
fraternising: chief among which is the
annual term of the Pierian Chautauqua
Circle. The Chautauqua Circle OF this
institution was founded good many years
ago at the old prison and the appellation
"Pierian" adopted as a distinguishing
title. 1t has for its object the encourage
ment of men who aspire to fit themselves
educationally for the problems of life,
who wish to obtain wider range of good
literature and, being studiously inclined,
desire to follow a selective course of read
ing and discussion. The Chautauqua Cir
Gle is not gathering of "highbrows;" as
a matter of fact few of its members have
had more than a common school educa-
ton. A man may aspire to greater at
tainments and higher ideals who possesses
but a rudimentary education provided
he decides that knowledge is worth an
earnest effort. This desire, simply, is
what the circle aims to encourage and, as
results in past seasons will indicate, has
been highly successful. The regular course
of reading and study, as assigned by the
Chautauqua Scientific and Literary Society
of Chautauqua, N. Y, was followed for
while but proved unsuitable due to many
factors: an eight months season, restricted
hours, wider curriculum, etc. The altered
course allows for more general, if not
as profound treatment of literary themes,
and for the preparation of essays on var
ious industries, moot questions of the day,
music, the arts, science, etc.; all of which
are intelligently discussed and debated.
Meetings are held every other Sunday
afternoon in the prison schoolroom or
auditorium, beginning about the middle of
September. These meetings. are governed
wholly by the inmate members under the
parliamentary rules laid down in Cush-
ing's Manual, presiding officers being
chosen by ballot and elected to serve one
season these officers are, president, vice.
president and secretary. A critic is also
appointed to serve two months and his
duties have considerable bearing on the
progress of members as his criticisms are
carefully followed. New members are ad-
mitted to the circle by vote, subject, OF
course, to the Deputy Warden's endorse
ment. A liberal sprinkling of entertain
ing features and interspersed throughout
the seasons activities, enough to add zest
to the programs, and, as In the past, sew,
eral quarterly meetings will be arranged
for the entertainment OF members, COM
prised of musical programs by Professor
X. 7. Reichktzer, Musical Director OF the
institution orchestra and band; phono-
graph concerts; readings and other fea-
lures. A reference library belonging to the
circle is at the members disposal and extra
cards for drawing on the main library
are issued, thus affording means for study
and research during the season. The
benefits to be derived fom the circle are
many but depend wholly upon the use
made of the privileges and, likewise, the
success of the season depends wholly upon
the members collectively-it's just what
they make it.
Inmates who are interested in chautau-
qua work and desirous of applying for
membership should get in touch with the
Deputy Warden or the Assistant Deputy
Wardens, all of whom are honorary mem
bers, or, talk things over with the inmate
members before the season starts-on the
ward Saturday afternoon. Points that have
not been made clear can be easily ex-
planned by any of the members.
For most of the foregoing details l. am
indebted to Mr.. F. T. p, former secretary
of the circle, who, being the oldest mem
ber of the circle, is thoroughly familiar
with its traditions and progress, and to