The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-09-11

Formerly g. r 1oe Ump rxs"e % BOSTON
What Will Be Gained?
Peter schiele may attract a lot of attention within the
next few days.
He is the man who was arrested at Towner after es-
Gaping from custody eight years ago and wno' unless
something unforeseen happens. will shortly be nr"ught W
the state prison here to begin serving the sentence wn'cn
he has heretofore escaped by reason Of his break from
custody.
schiele is the man who, after his escape, went to Pom
tiac, Michigan, and who now operates a garage 'ne'e"
During the eight years he has acquired a wife. and four
children have been born to them. II the so-called in
exorable law takes its course, the garage Will be deprived
Of a proprietor, the children will be deprived OF their
father and the wife will be deprived Of her breadw1n-
ner.
But somehow, we rather hope that the law viii not
be so blind, unless there is some real reason 1or us De-
ing so in this particular case. The states dignity mas
been insulted other times far more seriously than Peter
schiele could insult it and very little has been done
about it.
The question which arises in sctiele's case is what
good will be done by his serving q term IN prison now7
Would the state or any individual profit, and would any
one lose?
There may be q lot Of things about this case that We
know nothing of and we make no claims to being an
expert in penology or the reformation Of criminals. Yet,
some things about the case strike US as obvious.
In the first place, Schiele seems to have been conduct
ing himself as a respectable person during the last eight
wears. AS to his record before he was sentenced for
stealing an automobile, we know nothing. But during
the last eight years he has evidently been performing
the duties of a citizen and a normal family man. looking
after his business and taking care Of his wife and chill
dren.
AS we understand 1t, the law has three purposes IN
placing a man in the penitentiary. The one stressed
-.-A .k.>~c1,, a. That III $iuna In rV1enn II In he devoted
to reforming the individual. The second. and this is
soft-pedaled for the most part, Is that the individual
should be punished for his m-isdeeds-provided of course
that he is caught and convicted. The third Is to furnish
an example to others, who might be tempted to trans
gress the law. and thereby encourage them to keep on
the straight and narrow path.
We look over these principles and apply them to
schieles case. There may be some sound arguments as
to why he should go to prison. but what they are does
not appear on the surface.
The thing that stands out like a lighthouse Is the tact
that he now is the father of four children and husband
to a wife: the head of a household which he has built
by his own efforts. To deprive those children Of their
father now may be the means of increasing the prison
population at some later date.
In fact, the only one Of the three reasons which re-
tains any basis of justification for sending Schiele to
prison seems to be that of punishment. To wreak So
cietys revenge upon the ~wrongdoer.
In this case it will be revenge, true enough, revenge
upon Schiele and still greater revenge upon his wife and
children.
II this were the Middle Ages one could get real salts
faction out of the state thus demonstrating Its power to
the weak and the helpless. But, since this is the United
States and the twentieth century. 1t. seems to us like
gross stupidity.
The Tribune gives no support to the %wrongdoer. 1t
sheds no editorial tears on the shoulder Of the man
whose revolver snuffs out the life Of another in a rob-
berry. It sends no editorial flowers to brighten the path
of the professional criminal.
But this case does appear to be different.
II this stupid thing IS enacted, the state pardon board
must bear the responsibility. The law-enforcing Of
ficials have no choice but to send Schiele to prison.
The pardon board. however, can take appropriate &C.
ton. The emergency board, consisting OF the governor,
attorney general and chief justice Of the supreme court,
meets regularly to hear pleas Of men who are In prison
and who want to get out. It is only a matter OF 10
minutes to call this group together.
Usually. they meet only to consider q definite appica-
ton. and 1t seems to us that an application should be
made in Schieles behalf. II none Is received. members
Of the pardon board should investigate the case on their
own initiative. A parole could be granted and the rec
ord kept clear without s~ubjectins four little children to
the loss of their father. and that without apparent
necessity.
The thing which makes the whole business look so
children.
wonder. II schiele goes to prison. what the verdict will
be In that eternal court Of review when those four chill
dreu appear there as witnesses.
What Makes Heroes?