Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-11-02
THE ONE, WHY NOT THE OTHER

THE ONE, WHY NOT THE OTHER
We are told that Governor Brews-
terss message to the Maine State
Social Workers has caused some ap-
prehension Of an effort to turn back
prison reform in this State. But
considering the words what are those
to which exceptions may properly be
tazen?
!. Do we object to his conclusion that
prisons exist primarily for protec-
tien of citizens and secondarily for
reform? We might wish to qualify
with the comment that If prison life
;degrades rather than improves the
character, then is not suitable pro-
tection afforded society, but protec-
.tion is sufficiently comprehensive TO
cover that feature If protection is
properly administered. There's the
rub; there's where authorities diff
fef. There should the stand be
taken: make protection comprehen-
,sive. And having taken the stand
how get. into accord as to method?
80 It is noticeable that those who ap-
Ipear to have given the most thorough
lstudy to penology are opposed to
harsh measures. yet they would re-
ssent the idea Of ''coddling". We do
mot for a moment suppose, for in
stance, that those responsible for
methods employed in our State
.prison regard those methods in any
sway a coddling of prisoners. Sure
,Iy 1t is not coddling to leave the in
innate q chance to maintain his self
respect, his health and stamina, in
tcluding his sanity. Nor do we for q
moment suppose that Governor
brewster. would wish to be under
sstood as making such accusation.
There appear. however. to be some
who place that Interpretation on his
words.
Then as to what he had to say
respecting the use of the pardoning
spower and his manifest apprehen-
ision of the threatened superseding
| of the functions of our courts. He is
jby no means alone in that APP
lrrehension. With due respect for the
Integrity and intentions of those
swho would extend the pardoning
spower, we nevertheless share in the
apprehension. II our courts are
what they should be-and If they
ARE not or rather do not as human
approximate to that 1t
,would seem that our endeavor should
be-to improve rather than to super
.sede them-what good reason exists
why the pardoning power should in
terfere except in instances where it
Is proven that there has been mis-
carriage of justice? The idea of
Christmas presents Of pardons never
appealed to our sense Of fairness or
respect for law and authority. For
one. thing there is grave chance that
some of the most deserving do not
get them and reasonable certainty
that the deserts Of all do not.
Yes. it is an appealing argument
that when prisoner has become a
changed man or woman 1t Is cruel
and unwise to deprive such Of the
opportunity to do their part as recon-
astructed human beings in the work of
the world. But who is to determine
whether they are changed? Are we
to turn them out to experiment on
society? Does society deserve such
treatment at the hands Of those,
whom they select to protect them?
Is there not altogether too much of
that sort Of experimentation? And
has there been any diminution in the
percentage Of crime by reason Of
such methods? On the contrary,
crime never was SO rampant, so de-
faint. never so openly contemptuous
OF society. its laws and the admins
traitors. How about judging by the
fruits?
The criminal elements have declar-
ed war to the knife on society. This
reminds us of what was done in the
recent wsr with comparatively nom
criminal people. We then thought it
proper to take the best of our youth:
to subject them to rigorous discipline.
to ardous training; we took from
them their individuality in large
degree, considering the Individual as
nothing, the whole as everything.
Whimpering or disobedience were
ruthlessly suppressed Shall We do
less with the prisoners of the war
on crime? Does society require
better treatment Of them than it. re-
CURED for our best blood consecrat-
ed to the cause?
What happened then? Much
individual injustice, no doubt, but
there was no fiinching on that ac-
count. Individuals. who never had
learned that self-control Is essential
to success, who never had undergone
discipline We're swept along in the
group discipline and emerged from 1t
with greater or less capacity of
self control, and. this is important
I profound respect for it. Reaction
AhRas somewhat impaired It but It
survives and is strong. The Amer
.4ean Legion of today evinces a pro-