+~++++++1'+11!~ -~- ~*********~+ + NOVEMBER 1914 + ~ ~ t T E CHRON CLE ; + + r A Monthly journal devoWd Edited by and Published in :!: ~ to the Spirit of Reform and to the Interest of the Inmates ~ + the Onward and Upward Lift of the Connecticut Refonna- + + of the Reformatory Inmate tory at Cheshire, Conn. + ~ + + + + + -.~r ....
~. ' . ,( > v · SPECIAL NUMBER
DEDICATED TO THE WELFARE OF THE MEN ON PAROLE FU -4 1916
GREETINGS The Chronicle believes that the Press, as a moulder of public opin ion, can be, if so utilized, the great est force for good in the world. In accord with its belief, a copy of this issue is being mailed to every news paper of importance in the State of Connecticut. mqr VoL. I CHESHIRE, CONN., NOVEMBER 1, 1914 No.lO OPPORTUNITY ~ ~~~~;?,~!~.uE,.~~~!:!;!!. DIFFERENT VIEWS OF WHAT THE REFORMATORY OFFERS I of the Reformatory-especially the membe1·s of the I teachmg force--are requested to read the followittg in BY AN OPTIMIST BY THE EDITOR I the sincere hope that theymoybenefit thereby.--Editor) HE COURT sentences you to the Co'1necticut Re· A YEAR is but a period of time by which man mea- A MAN may resolve and decide to put aside evil T furmatory, where it is hoped you may learn by its sures his life. As our year here draws to a close and to lead a better life; he mc.y exhort, preach. advantages to turn from a poor beginning to a life of we can not help but think v. hat a momentous thing to write strong and convincing articles, and even implore usefulness to the community." us its passing is. Each sunrise brings us that much his fellows to do certain things; but if he does not per- Judge pronounced upon me words to nearer life, liberty and happiness- that much nearer sonally act and do the things he resolves to do and the above effect about eleven months ago. I heard the the moment when an opportunity will be given us to asks others to do, all will be in vain. The personality words with some question. Advantages? In a penal in- redeem the past and write with unfading letters in of a man is felt regardless of conditions. Especially is stitution? In my ignorance I said the thirig was impos- that r~cor~ wh:~h all men keep _in .~he inner chambers I this true in reformatory and prison ~urroundings. sible, but I've learned since thtn that there are ad van- of the1r bemg: I am a man aga1.n. The cold facts of existence here stnps one of all tages in all I do; it only remain~ for me to find them. The year will be gone, never to return, but it can masks, and actions speak louder than words. And let me say right here that I am an average in- never be forgotten. How can we forget when we Personal example, therefore, here as elsewhere, is mate and what I say of myself applies to us all. counted the seconds which made it a period in the the most powerful and effective influence that one The theory is that a man busy is better off and cycle of time's endless and eternal journey? Here we Ihuman being can bring to bear on another. It is more worth more, mentally and physically, than a man idle; appreciate more than anyone, anywhere, that . silent, potent than all argument and preaching. What a man therefore when I come here I must work . .Not useless never-resting thing called Time. To us it is not that actually and habitually does--his prevailing habits work--in the shops; in the yard, on the farm--all relentless, remorseless, unfathomable miracle that and actions--is obviously what he is; what he say;> work is for a definite purpose or as a means to an end. makes life too short and limits the achieve!Jlents and he is and believes in and what he does is often quite No more working only when I feel like it or throwing possibilities of mortal man. It cannot fly too swiftly different. The person who talks against things evil, up jobs every two or three months on some trivial for us, as we do not live, we only exist. may be forcible--even persuasive, but if, after di pretext. 1 have my place and 1 must fill it, or make Th~ugh our thoughts _are concentrated on. the fu- gesting his eloquence, you find or know of hi~ do~ng 1 way tor someone who can. I say MUSJ. or I face a ture 1t would not be am1ss to pause and consider not 1 the very thing he talked against, you forget h1s h1gh mtgilty unpleasantalternative that quickly makes me only the past year, but the other years of our short and righteous views in his practical conduct and one s.!e my mistake. life. Let us think of how we employed them, how we is more likely tu imitate his behavior than obey the 1 cannot become a useful member of Society until have lived, and how we will continue to live. In the principles which he professes, but does not follow. I learn HOW to study and have at least the ground years that have passed we have deviated from the path On the other hand, the man who makes no profes work of an education. Here I find my need provided that leads to happiness. We know that only too well. sion of being good and of being on the square with his for by a graded school. If I cannot read or write, I may It is right that we look the situation squarely in the fellows, but does good and is square, whether it is Jearn; if I have been to the fourth or fifth grade in face, admit the truth and confess the wrong. We have observed or not, is likely to have more followers and sch:wl outside, I may continue here to the point where not been diligent and industrious to do good. We have accomplish more of true benefit than the more ardent I would be qualified to enter high school. So here again not considered the feelings of others. We have not persuader to moral perfection, that ever filled a page I have the ground work on which, if 1 am ambitious, I kept our bodies te.nperate and healthy, or our hearts in a newspaper or attracted attention in the Yard by ·may build when once again I return to the outside clean and our minds pure. We have been, though his fine argument-- and then does nothing else. world. cruelly negligent in · caring for and protecting those There is invincible strength in such a man's position No man may become great or good unless he have dependent upon us. We have followed tracks which he blows no trumpet; he rears no standard; he goes great or good thoughts. One way, probably the best Jed us into error, vice and sin, and finally brought us simply and quietly about his own business; and does way, to acquire right-thinking minds is as~ociation here to nothing-- worse than nothing, disgrace and what he thinks is right, because that is what he prefers with good clean books. It has been truly said that any shame-- almost ruin. It is up to us now to decide to do, independently and unobtrusively. It does not oc man, when alone, could be in no worse company. The what the final record of our Jives shall read. cur to him to be concerned as to whether his fellows only way while here to turn my thoughts from my own We were not put into the world and made a part of regard him as a fool, a freak or something worse; as to sordid world is to find companionship in a good book; the universe to do nothing, or to forever mi~spend our whether they applaud or they condemn him; he does and that is possible by using the library. Therefore I lives. Everyone of us in some way or another can do not seek to compel them to adopt his mode of life, and may find a book to fit my every mooc--serious,gay, some good. We can be useful even here. We may in he will not be diverted from pursuing that mode on studious--and with the assurance that it is clean some degree be of worth to the world by encouraging, account of others' disapproval. If he be religious [in and wholesome-one which I may read with profit. advising and instructing each other. Be cheerful under the broad and deep meaning ofthe word] he keeps his Every man, no matter who he is, where he is, or restraint, resigned under disappointment, charitable accounts for the eye of his Creator; and is amply con· what he is, craves friendship. That is fundamental. for the faults of others, and challenge the world to pro- tent if the balance shows fairly true and indicates hon He may shape or change the whole course of his life duce anyone who will bear our Jo~ better than ourselves. esty of purpose. to good or bad according to the judgment he uses in Those of us who go out can with our experience ac- Men who manifest strength of this kind here, as choosiTlg his friPnds and companions. This is true complish much; we can point out the Better Way. well as outside, are influential because those who ob- outside-it is none the le~s true in here. In our little Resolutions without results mean less than nothing, serve them perceive in them not a theory, but a con city of some two hundred fell_ow~ we have the oppor· fo~ a failure to li_ve up to _a high resolve is on~y a _weak - ~ dition. Here is no :Visionary_ project of existence, but an tunity to reshape a poor begmnmg. It does not take emng of the cham that bmds us to that wh1ch 1s rna. ex1stence proceedmg steadily and successfully on prov one long to discover that here a man is not judged by terially good in us. Set your standard of hope and ed and substantial principles, determined by experience. his past misdeeds, but is accepted at face value for expectations high, but remember that to hope for or The observer is prompted to say to himself, "If he can what he is rather than for what he was. All of us to expect impossibilities is foolish. Therefore, sur- do that and get away with it, so might I also; what are on the same level, no man better than another rounded as we are, by circumstances that try men's one man does, another may do." The impulse of im · but out of this huge melting pot VIe n:ay, to .a certain souls, paying the penalty of our past life, face to face itation is aroused - not in itself the loftiest impulse, extent, choose our own companions. Will we make with the results of folly, penitent for our misdeeds, but effective for starting a man on the road that leads the same mistake again? Probably not, for every one and chastened by adversity, let us with a grim, but· to higher things. He feels that he is not playing the of us is possessed of the same ambitior.--TO MAKE honest determination, resolve to arise out of, and from, game blindly and in ignorance, but that he is treading GOOD! And when any man seriously strives to rectify the ashes of our dead past and with a brave spirit on firm ground and in a path that is already laid out. past mistakes he will find men desiring to cultivate face the future, living right and doing right. Then, We do not mean to say that writing and talking are his friendship. and only then, will we be of benefit to ourselves, our not productive to good. There are and always will be If a man is not master of himself he certainly can associates, and our families and to the world of which men gifted to announce in words the way of right and not control others .We who are here are on the threshold we are a part. the beauty of goodness. Their work is beneficial. Sin· of manhood and a vital question tor each one of us is The pessimistic viewpoint asserts that while the Re- cere and hearty speech, uttered in good season, is in it· "Am I subject to the dictates of my whims and de formatory means Opportunity totheyoungdelinquent, self a good deed, and bears fruit. But every man, in sires, or am I master of myself?" We pause to take still it does not directly reform him. It offers him a his decisive moment, finds himself face to face with stock--and find deficiencies. Here again we n ay golden opportunity TO REFORM HIMSELF and in so do- his Maker, and God alone can help him. In such mo start anew. The regular hours, the work demanded ing justifies the title of Connecticut's University of ments the memory of another man's go0d life- his [ . r:ontinued 011 PaKe 3 ] AnothH Chance. [Continued on Page 8] 2 THE CHRONICLE THE CHRONICLE passing moment. But in order to write a worthy Jetter to way" at once, and soon get dissatisfied; but they are a fl"iend , one is naturally moved to look inward and to the class who have always expected as good thin,lls as ISSUED MONTHLY AT THE CONNECTICUT REFORMATORY draw upon the reality permanent and fixed convict· the other fellow whether merited or not. Our little CHESHIR E. CONN. ' ions of experience and character. Not only does ht> world is much like the greater one outside -- merit thus recall to his correspondent the more vital and receives the reward -- and wishing or whining, does SUBSCRIPTION PRICE · · · · so CENTS PER YEAR. j significant cont~nts of his nature, but he may often be not bring the things desired. THE CHRONICLE is published regularly the 1st of each month come thereby h1mself aware of impulses, tendencies, ~ ~ the _Co nnecticut . Reformatory. _and _is edited, contributed to I and resources in himself which might otherwise have .md pnnt ~ d _by the mmates. Its o b1 ec ~ 1s to encourage moral and remained unknown to him. • T · mtellectual Improvement among the mmates; to devote its ener- Th . h . . . . . Parole Suggestions 0 YOU BOYS who Will gies along !ines calculated to lead recreant ones back to useful- ~ ere IS no ot er SJtua_twn II1Cident ~ 0 mortal hfe soon re-enter the out- ness m soc1ety; to acquaint the public with our true status, and more powerfully conduc1ve to search111g and even I s;de world THE CHRONICLE sa .. od b " d t d. 1 th · d' h. h · · · h h · ys go ye an to o 1spe e pre1u 1ce w 1c ex1sts agamst those who have paid creat1ve t oug t than IS enforced sojourn in a this farewell 1't dd · · the penalty of their transgressions I · T . . a s a suggestiOn of someth111g of . . . · grea~ pns?n. h•s_ IS true of ~very inmate in his de- l which in all probability you have not thought. There Address all commum_c auons Intended for this paper to THE gree, but 111 all pnsons there IS a number of prisoners is none of you while h h ld h · · Cl I RONICL E, Connecticut Reformatory. Cheshire Conn. who, in the outer world, had been accustomed to apply Jy added a jot t~ the bur~:~ :hi~:~~ of ::;~~~;.n~~o;~~ Register Number 82 B., Editor th_e energy of strong and able . intellec~s to dealing would have wi11ingly so arranged matters that 'a fellow w1th the problems of external hfe - ch1efly of course inmate would have been forced to Jo f such d . h J' se •me. NOVEMBER FIRST . as are concerne w1t wrPst 111g wealth and posi- While on parole you hold in your hand the power to "lli :UWI IIIIUl llll lllllll !IIIII' llllllllllli tllll 'IIIII' 111111 11 111111111' 1•111• 111 11 ~11 . tlon from the wor~d. W_h~~ these men are suddenly aid all of us in a far greater degree than you ever pos- l removed from ~he1r act_JVItles and ?revented from fur- sessed before. See that you have our interest at heart : :. E 0 I T Q R I A L .. iii ther ~se of thhe1r faculties on _the hnes they have been 1 while you are free as you did while rubbing shoulders _ ~ pursumg, a P enomeno~ of smgular psychological in- with us here. Your attitude towards your future is far ii!II'· U•II,UII IIt 'illllrll lllll :• ll• lll .tllll: ,11!1 11 ltllll 111111,1 n,;l 1111• 111• 1: 11• 11 ·,1 111111 terest takes pl~ce. The Immense mental energy which more reaching than your individual life. the man has h1therto. . been . applying to the manage- 1 Whether you make good or not means e1t· h er on!' The Good in Us PROOF TAKEN FROM ment of matenal th•_ngs, 1s sud~enly and violently 1 more example added to the argument that men can poorly set type was placed thrown back upon h1mself, and 1t generally creates reform, or it gives the cyn1·c a reaso f t · · A. d I . . d th t fi t d' . f b 'ld n or no glvll1g in our hands for correctwn an ong anc111goventan ere, a _rs_,acon 1t1ono ew1 ermentanddistress. the fellows who follow you on parole that long-looked observing the character of the work done our first in- In_ t hbee mfaJbO~Itfy of c~ses, however, this chaotic state for chance. Forget that there is such a term as indi clination, since we were in a. hurry, was to take the 1 WI 11 o :1e cont111uance; a_reactionoccurs, and the vidualism. To you there is no such word. By your galley, dash 1ts contents· to the floor, and have the mat- mand now· du·ects ·the force. wh1ch had been used in the 1 acts are all men · who have been P1 ace d 111· your poFI·. rer set over agam. But th~> thought occurred tousthat or enng_ and subJugatiOn . . of concrete matters, to the tion , 1·udged . When you go out f·tom th1s' ·m stJtutJon· . in the galley were a lithe elements necessary for mak- reg1_on of the 1mmat~nal-- that is, of thought. He what you do will either be a help or a hindrance to tht> ing the proof sho"": up cle~n and correct, placed in ~g111~ for the fir~t t1me and he has time to spare-to hundreds of fellows here now beside those later t AN OPEN LETTER To You, Mr. Editor: This number of THE CHRONICLE is being mailed to every important newspaper in the State. As with other issues, it is edited, contributed to, and printed by the inmates of this institution, and by them alone. The object in distributing it to the Connecticut press is two-fold. Your comment, Mr. Editor, is a moulder of public opinion, and as wards of the State, we are vitally interested in the general public's idea of prisons and prison reforms, and its attitude to the bewildered "Prodigal Son," returning to the outside world. Hostile Society has driven many a man back to the depths, from which he had risen with a firm resolve to rehabilitate himself. To us, Mr. Editor, this is the vital question of the day. Benevolent Connecticut in its wisdom has established here at Cheshire an institution for its juvenile delinquents. With the mass of us in this Reformatory progress downward has gone but little further than a bad be ginning. The Reformatory aims to check this tendency and signifies by its release on parole its belief in the former inmate's desirable qualities for good citizenship. Space is too limited to record the many hardships and temptations that befall the released prisoner. Your columns, day in and day out, chronicle thedownfall of former prisoners. Some of these are inherently bad- it cannot be denied. But, Mr. Editor, if the majority of these cases were traced to the source, and the cause found, So ciety would turn its face away in shame. "Man's inhumanity to man" is shown in the lot of the released prisoner. We, in the Reformatory, KNOW. We have tasted of its dregs, and bitter were they, indeed. I The Press chronicles many false reports of prison happenings and it is to give a correct impression of the situation at the Connecticut Reformatory that this issue is distributed. One of the permanent aims of THE CHRONICLE is "to acquaint the public with our true status, and to dispel the prejudice which exists against those who have paid the penalty of their transgressions." In this issue the attempt is made to give you an idea of the life and surrounding of the Reformatory inmate. Nothing terrible in it, is there? Can you find a good reason why a graduate of this institution should be in any way shunned or treated with contempt? It may seem strange to you, but very few men in this "school of learning" are ashamed of the pre dicament they find themselves in. We do not slouch around with head3 h:mging low, lifele33 and without ambitio11. The tendency is decidedly the other way. We realize that we are in a "Univ~r::;ity of Another Chance" and a "CJ' lege of Betterment." There is very little degrading in our daily life. We are being trained, and trained to a good purpose, from the viewpoint of the educationalist, the vocationalist and the disciplinarian. True it is, that it is against our will and consent, but Hope is held b~fore us, and we. gradually strive more and more to better ourselves. On the day of his release on parole the former inmate is super-charged with confidence in himself and in the world. Prospects look rosy to him - he has faith in his fellowmen to give him a square deal and an op portunity for rehabilitation. Is it not vital to the interests of the comm'lllity t'l1t his flith s:-nn be su3taine:l? When you save a man you save a unit; whe:t you save a lad you san a m·1ltipli::1ti n t 1')l~. To is is fran!c spe:1king -- but the truth is easily discernible. It is therefore to everyone's interest that the public be correctly inbrm=d of our status in Society. This is not a state prison for young men. It is a Reformatory in every sense of the word. Its graduates are not har dened criminals, but young men, on the threshold of life, ec;uippEd as they tad nve1 CH n l:efcre, to fight life's tattles. We realize that this is the season of politics and war. Editorial space is scarce. But in "our day" we have furnished ample copy for your columns. We would so do again but of an entirely different nature. Would an editor:al plea for a sane, friendly attitude to the released prisoner take too much of your. space? Remember, that we are a vital, living part of the community and, using politics and war as an illmt1aticn, we either l:eccrr.e law-abiding citizens with the privilege of the ballot, or a roving band of Society's enemies, preying on its weaknesses. Hlhat sny you, Mr. Editor? If editorial or other comment be made, marked copy of same would be appreciated. The Editor. THE CHRONICLE 5 -, THE REFORMATORY fAl{M BRIEF HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION }Fit be true. thaL "the way to a man's heart is through I Ius stomach", there is no department in the Reform OF atory with the probable exception of the kitchen, of as much interest to the inmate reader, as the institution CONNECTICUT'S UNIVERSITY OF ANOTHER CHANCE al farm. It comprises some 450 acres and furnishes em· ployment for about EO inmates. The farm is un:ler the immediate supervision of Farm Supt. Robinson, a graduate of the Kanoas Agricultur ~ ol/ol[fuN June 21, 1913, the Reformatory was ies, men not un:ler im:nediate surveillance and farm al College and the Vermont School of Dairying. He is (a g formally o;>ened for inspection. Over gangs under the supervision of guards. About ninety a practical and technical farmer, and combines a thor- ,1150 tock advantage of theopportun- are e nployej 0:1 the Reformatory grounds within the ough knowledge of the art, for farming as carried rn 1l!:!J ity, the assemblage including some walls, doing such work as road-making and graveling. by Mr. Robinson is an art, with a keen interest in the ~, 0 Yti"'\\'10 of the state's most prominent citizens. The m~:1 are a:;J;:>:>rtioned to the different depart- work. la M Gov. Simeon E. Baldwin officially de- ments a> tJilo N>: Farming anj gardening 50; teachers Thf' dait·y, while not a large one, is of advanced reg- ~,Q D I@ dared the institution opened for the and clerks. 10; printing, 7; tailor shop, 7; laundry, 9; istered stock. The herd is headed by Litchfield Prince, a:lmittance of Connecticut's juvenile delinquents on s~enography an:l typ~writing, 14; kitchen, 20; bakery, I a registered bull and contai'1ssuch cows as Owl's Mod the 24th of June. Sheriff Dewey of Hartford, conducted 4, c:>ld stora-se. l; pa1nters, 2; carp_nters, 8; machinists el Fox Auburn Mary, Reg. No. 59682, with a milk re the first delegation of future inmates to the institution, etc. 11; tea'lnters. 8; dairymen, l; hall men, 9; power cord from Aprillst to October 1st of 5208.8 pounds. An there being twelve in the party. h 1 u3e, 3; barbers, 3; hospital, 1; grading and road build- other member is Puin Marigold, Reg. No. 218697 with The cJnstruction and administration of the institu- ing, 93; of CJCJne, s:>·ne of these men are employed in a two month record- Aug. 1st to October 1st- 1576.6 tion had been placed in the hands of a board of direc- m Jre th 1n ')lle department. pounds. The latter gave birth to the only heifer calf tors and a superintendent. It is at the present time School atten:lance is co:npulsory, each inmate having raised this SJ •n-tu•r, the other four of these being bull under the supervision of the same commission as had at least twJ hJurs' tuition daily during eight months calves. One of these was also raised, being six months charge of the construction. The Board of Directors has, of the vear. Classes are held morning and afternoon. old at the present time. a3 it3 president, M.Jrris W. Seymour of Bridgeport; The school is under the supervision of the superinten- The pigg ry has some thirty-five inhabitants at the vi:~-pr~3i:l~nt, MH Adler of New Haven; secretary, dent and of a graduate of Wesleyan University. present time but Thanksgiving day will in all proba- J.Jnn P. Elto::J. of Waterbury; treasurer, E. Kent Hub- Recreation in the institution is diversified. When the bility finJ th~ p.J_)ulation greatly reduced. Eleven 14- bard, Jr. of Middletown; Char!P.s Hopkins Clark of sumner schedule was in force, an hour's exercise was month- old porkers, averaging about 250 pounds will Hartford is the fifth member of the Board. The sup- granted each eveninJS in addition to the regular Satur- be slaughtered for institutional use. erin:~n:l~.1t a;:>;JJinted, and under whose immediate day h'llf-holiday and an h:JUr on Sunday mornings. At Both sweet and field corn were raised, about 40 acres SJ,:>~r>'isio::J. the buildings were constructed, was Albert the present time Saturday afternoons and Sunday morn· being cultivated. About l!:CO dozens of sweet corn Garvin, ward Other buildings are a powerhouse and a trade building Tne mini 11 1 11 p.lr:>le eligibility has been placed at squash. w1th ano~her neanng completwn. The only otherstruc- one year. W.len a'l in nite enters the Reformatory he 9000 heads of cabbage were set out but ~hese were ture mstae the enclosure IS the horse- barn. All these is assigne:l to the second gradP., from which he may greatly _reduced, owmg. to the d~y spell wh1ch settled bJ,tJ,n.s.> are of re::C!nt construction and up-to-date in work his way up in six months to the first grade, or over th1s sect10n of the count! y. About 1800 head ev~ry d~tail. A model dairy plant capable of housing a may bi misc:>.l :iu::t be dropp~d into the third grade at 1 weathered the drought.. . fiity-head herd IS situated about one hundred feetfrom any tim~. After six months of good conduct in the first The Steward was.furmshed w1th 135 bushels of apples the wagon gate. gra:le 11 i 1 n 1 ~e i.> elisible br parole, provided the and 200 gallons of vmegar was made from the uneatable f L! m>tltJLton owns between four and five hundred court hB n)t fi '<~:i his sen ten::~ at a definite term. Pa- ones. a ;r~;, aal t.l~ _b.li!Jm.s.> _are spl~ndidly si_tuated_ on a role is 5raat! 1 ) lly after th~ a:::j~isition of suitable A~ yet no slaughtering of any account has been done, CJ.n nandmg htll. Travelmg fa_ct11tiescons1s~ mamlyof employment. The paroled inmate remains under the but 128 pounds o£ veal and 38 pounds of pork have c:>.n n.lnlcatwn by trolley, the mstttutwn bemg equally I control of 1 •1 ~ in;;titution and is not given an absolute be~n rereived. This amount, however, will soon bema accesslble to Waterbury, Mcnden, New Haven and release fro.n his o'):igations to the Reformatory until tenally 111creased by the Fall slaughter. Hartford. he ha> s'n.v 1 th~ mlnaJen!nt that he can conduct On August 5th two acres of a l ~a l fa were sowed and T.1~ c~d block is of steel construction and has accom- himself properly. Ith1s now measures about eleven mches. It has been ol.lLI.Jns for 400 men. Every inmate has a separate cell, T le 0 lr Jl:! Sf.>te 11 t:> date has enjoyed great success. scientifically treated, and is expected to be of great aid each of which is provided with a bed, chair, shelf, mir- The R':!fJr.n 1 u1ry h'ls been in operation some sixteen as fodder. ror, electric light, carpet, stationary wash stand and mJnths an::! 3.2 h:we been paroled of whom but two The most modern method and machinery are in use toilet bowl. have d!fa·1· te:l. D 1ring these sixteen months265 men and the boys employed on the farm are well instructed In summer khaki clothing is worn while the winter hwe been re::~ i ve:l an::! the population now numbers in the vnrk. CJnne:tiCLit agriculturists in the need for uniform is made up of a dark gray pattern. The style 228 of whom 134 are in the first grade, 89 in the sec- intelligent farm help could well avail themselves of the differs with the grade of the inmate. ond and 5 in the third. opportunity of employing these boys when they are The institution has two chaplains, services being slated for parole. Each meeting of the parole board cJnJucted eli!ry 3Jn:lay morning. Catholic services finds some of them being granted release, conditional are from 8 to 8.45, the Protestant services being from 84 A. sends his copy of THE CHRONICLE to Rirm- upon the obtaining of suitable employment. 8.5) to 9.4:). Christian Endeavor meetings are held ingham, England, which he tells us is quite a ways off. Thursday evenings and are conducted by the Protestant "Jerk" says he would like to take the December num A Jefferson Cily, firm. employing convict labor has chaplain. ber over that way himself but is afraid England might closed contracts with the British government for 165, The majority of the men are employed out of doors, want him to play second base in the world series with 000 saddle trees. This is probably the largest contract a ·))Jt fifcy 01t.>ide th~ en.:Iosure. These include trust- Germany. 1 of its kind ev~>r made in the U. S. 4 THE CHRONICLE SPICY SPINNINGS FROM THE WHEEL OF TIME LOCAL NEWS§ "BRICKBATS AND BOUQUETTES" §SHOP NOTES Take my Grade and Number, Guy, and 48 E. became excited t'other clay, thinking about the ' It may be true, as some claim, that "bars and bolts Finish out my Time filthy lucre he will garner when he goes home to North do not a prison make," but there is no dt>nying the fact Words by Duffy,; M. Whiskey. Music by Lydia Perkins. Scituate, and he gave a fellow worker an apple. that the former performs quite a function in furnishing You heard a song one summer day We miss 146 W. who has superseded 49 B. as pig inhabitants for such places and that the latter is a meth Entitled, 'I'm the Guy;' . gery man, according to the bulletin pos ed in the left od sometimes resorted to for depopulating the same. The singer's voice was clever, but hand corner of our imagination. Heard at dinner during the world's series: The verse was rather shy. 105 B., who broke his leg some seven weeks ago is 37 H. - If Christy Mathewson wanted to go across It seems he'd done most everything the Hudson in a rowboat, would Tesreau? progressing finely and ir. all p1 obabilities press time That's down upon the map- will find his old chee y disposition back with us again. 102M. -No, but Joe Wood. Except his little 'Bit in Stir'-- Somebody send for an officer, quick! He didn't mention that. If you are really f md of good bi-;cuit, Alonzo, marry a homely girl. All a prt>t ty girl knows about dough is 81 G. is wearing a broad grin nowadays being ex· CHOROUS tremely confident that he will leave us for a better how to spend it. He was always doing, doing, land soon after the next meeting of the Board. He The things both good and bad, The teaching force at present consists of 98 C. says he is going back to dear old Winsted and forget And a leaning toward the latter 102 M., 111 T., ~38 S., 167 S., and 172 G. 70 H. and 113 J. I that Cheshire is in the state. The tendency he had. are acting as clerks for Prof. Rich. If he still continues making According to the say so of the boys employed in the 186 C., the former is a versatile member of the , machine shop that department will cease to be along Such 'doing things' his line, ~ar, power house force. He can chew gum, wink, smile, in January, as they are all going home about then. He can have my grade and number Anrl finish out my time. jig and work all at the same time. Oh! Mr. Dream Man, please let them dream some He's been a very merry guy A mick in the yard said, "just let me get at the Ger- more. At 'making girls leave home;' mans and there will he no sauerkraut in Germany this When you hear a gink meowing about how THE But let him face a jury with winter. CHRONICLE ought to be run, ask him if he ever con Some families of their own. They say that sugar is coming down again. Hum. tributed a trifle to its support. Those who cuss the When the learned prosecutor we did not know that it was up. It snrely would be loude~t are usually the least able to fill its columns. (With a voice like oiled silk) sweet if it would come our way. Get us, Mickey? Delivers iorth his masterpiece, 131 D. has been called upon to assume the duties of 137 C. has been trying to inflate ye editorwitr.large This ·passion flvwer' will wilt. head waiter in the Perfect men's section of the din· quantities of hot air. Th"re's no use, Jackie; we have 17J W. says that the Reformatory idea is all rig:1t ing room. 131 D. is vivacious and Rccommodating and no use fort he "filthy weed" and po~ itively refuse to men only he does not want too much of a cure. should make an excellent maitre d' hotel. tion you in the paper. Work on that lad known ?S '·My sister's something or other" for a while. Says 103 M., the only flowers that bloom for hi .11 It's a great thing to take a ride in a "gasoline bug are Washburn's XXXX. gy" but when you have to get nut and push-oh We all, no doubt, have had the bPst of service in all me, oh my! But then boys, you shouldn't have laughed. kinds of restaurants, both good and bad; but the ser· Take May Irwin's advice and ''don't argufy but just No--not at all! vice we re::eive f TO THOSE WHO ARE GOING BACK ELM CITY OF LOCAL INTEREST May the gates open wide to admit you. On October 14, the Reformatory was honored by a May the grand light of day show the way. FUN MAKERS visit of the Trustees of the Connecticut School for And the friends who I aN always stood by you, Boys. Supt. Garvin and Deputy Supt. Lins ott accom Gather clol'e to encourage lfl,"llllnl llllllllUIIIII'I11111111DIIlll IIIII' Ill IIIII 111111 IIIII llllll IIIII IIIII ,UIIIII I I •IIIIi:' 11110' 1111! II~ 1111 111111 .1111 .11 1111. 1111 ,:IIIIi illltl 1111 ;[Ill! I I IIIII! II IIIII IIIIJI I : IIIII I I 111111 11 111 11 'I I 'Ill · IIIII COMMON SENSE BUT NO SENTIMENT Iii iii THE SUMMARY II Iii IJn J I. I II IIIII IIIII IIIII. 11111 111111, IIIII 111 111 .!111111,1111 ' 11111 1, 11111 11 IIIII. IIIII !IIIII! 111111 IIIIUimlllllllllllllll lll 1111'1111111''1111 11' 111111' 111111 11111 1'1 11111 IIIII 111111 1111 IIIII ~I I .I 1:11~ 111' , 111111' I I IIIII I . 1llt :111 ' I I 1111111 ,1 I IIIII IIIII II 1: IIIIIIIIIJIII' ' Il~~ ~& 3d~ E HAVE seen thewritingofmany So far, public opinion has undoubtedly accomplished These are but a few of the great basic truths of the romances in the past, centering practically all of the reforms of those conditions with new regime, but these things, that stand out plainly to about the situation of a delegation in our prisons, that, until recent years, had each day the public gaze, are not the whole of the system, for from the possible inhabitants of been crying to high heav.en in silence of the despair an entire change in the attitude of the prison authorities Mars visiting our planet, and deal of those who were the victims of brutality. everywhere has, and is taking place, tending toward W The papers tell us of these things; so do the maga ing with their subsequent surprises more liberal 'more humane' and more sensible treat ~~*'-i§OO 3d~~ as they saw our modes of life and zines, and both have assisted materially in influencing men tof the prisoner in his everyday life. --our institutions. But in all of the latter, the prison for good. Now let us see the tangible results of this regime. has, for some reason, been excluded. Why? Is it be What has been the result? Under the old treatment, a man who has committed a cause the writers overlooked the prison and its deni- As always, we find that there are two sides to a ques crime, is tried and, if found guilty is sent to a prison Z;! ns, or is it because the working out of the story in tion; as ever, we discover that where those \1\ho be for a definie perio.~ of time, say, for fifteen years. He CJnducting the delegation from Mars to view our pris- lieve in a liberal, humane, and uplifting prison regime is immediately termed a convict. Since, in New York, ons, as they were generally but a few years ago, would arc: legion, there are also not a Jpw who would have us the various trade unions have objected to the compe not only have made it imperative to depict the feel- go back to the benighted conditions that characterized tition of prison labor with the labor of the man out ing of surprise, dismay, and horror, but also logically, our prisons a decade ago. side, and since they have won their point, the man the positive ridicule of intellects that were no wiser But, as we study the problem that these two unev serving a fifteen-year sentence cannot be a producer. than to subject offenders to torture of both soul and enly divided and conflictiug groups present, we be He is put to work on the rock pile, or at some equally body. come congnizant of one all-telling fact. It is the certain unprofitable and uncongenial task, irrespective of his Fortunately, however, the lock-step, stripes, the ball discovery that no possessor of a truly big soul, that ability as a producer in other directions, and so spends and chain, the vermin and germ-inft-sted dungeon, the no intellect and imagination of the first magnitude, his days, his weeks, his months, and his years, never paddle, the coffin, an:l all other mediaeval methodsof sides, to any tellable degree, with those who would earning sufficient to cover even the meager expense of dealing with the offender, that brutalized both the have barbarism rather than twentieth-century civiliz his keeping. prisoner and the prison-keeper, have now been large- ation within our prison walls. And, since the possessor This means that when you place the man behind ly abolished, and the reason for the change has been of the big soul, the brilliant intellect, and the true and bars and keep him there for fifteeu year~. society is the public opinion. practical imagination, is generally the one who takes loser from an economic point of view; for, compelling From one of the benighted interior sectionsofChina, a lead in the shaping of the public opink•n, we, who him to exist under such conditions, he is useless both there emerged not long ago, an explorer, who, among strive for advancement rather than for retrogress:on to himself and to society. But this is not the whole other things, sighted an experience that sounds like a need have no fear. ' story, for the treatment accorded him under the old night-mare and does not seem to the thinker to be of While we study the modern prison propaganda, as regime is always brutalizing and makes of good men, this bJurn~. but rather of that realm where Mephisto- exemplified in the practical prison-management in bad men, and, of bad men, degenerates. Then, at la!'t, pheles reigns supreme. It appears that a visit was the United States, and, also, as depicted by the changes the man has served his fifteen-year sentence and he made to one of the government institutions where both for the better that public opinion slowly but surely is duly released. He has outlived his friends, he is an criminal and political offenders who had been sentPnced has instituted within our prison, we are made aware chored nowhere, he is broken morally, physically, and to life imprisoment were confined. The explorer was of one basic truth that stands out above everything unless he is exceptionally strong, also mentally. ushered into the place of confinement by guards who else, like a beacon-light in the darkness of a storm. From what has been said before, it is obvious that were heavily armed. Down, down they went from one And this truth? Is that henceforth those in charge of no sentiment enters into the treatment of the criminal stair-case to another, until somewhere they entered a prisons MUST BRING OUT EVERY MANLY QUAL under the new regime. IT IS A MATTER PURELY subteraneanchamberofampledimemions. Asthedoor ITY AND ALL THAT IS GOOD within those placed OF b.CUNO.VIICS A D OF HUMANITY - ·NOTHING was thrown open, the eyes could see nothing. A decided under their care. This is a decided antithesis of the MORE. stench, however was present. Then, gradually, in the old diabolical system which apparently sought to bring Under the new system, the man is sentencPd to an gloom, one saw what appeared to be boxes all about out only the unmanly, the brutal, and the bad factors indeterminate period to an institution and to conditions the floor. They were coffins, and, horror of horrors, of the prisoner's make-up. made as humane as the laws up to the present permit when the guard brought a light one could see, here So far, they have succeeded well in the new propa and the time of his release depends entitely upon him a'ld there, sticking out through holes in the sides of ganda, taking all things into consideration, but there self. He is placed upon his honor in many ways, and these coffins the heads of living human beings! The is still much which remains to be accomplished in the is finally paroled. In the majority of cases, the parole revulsion of feeling was a terrible experience. Inform- onward movement. is always observed, and, while the man ls working at ation, gleaned s.Jbs ~ qc~ently, after one, had to some Let us glance to some extent, at conditions as they some useful occupation outside, his absolute release e~tent, ma3tered one's repugnance of the inhumanity are. takes place, long before the expiration at his sentence. exhibited, proved that many of those confined in these In several states, both East and West, the practical This means that he has been saved to society Al\D steel bound coffins for the remainder of their natural operation of liberating prisoners on their word of honor THAT SOCJE1 Y IS THE GAINER THEREBY. '1 he lives, were high born. and liberally educated, and were not to escape, and giving them the term d honor men, contrast is as great as that between night and day. pu 'liohe::l only for political cri nes. has to a greater or less degree snccessfully been at;com- And yet we have those, albeit they are few in num When these men had been sentenced, they were im- plished. The prisoners do first class work on roads, and ber, who would have a criminal treatetj with only re mediately confined in one of these coffin~. and from farms. and elsewhere, and traverse large distances with venge as the object! They are not aware, apparently, that day to the day when compassionate death should out an escort, while their nights are spent in open camps. that, if tl1is be done, they as well as the criminals will claim them, they would never under any pretext or for For these men. there is no consumption, or any of the be the losers. any reason whatever, be permitted to leave the con- I other diseases of either mind or body that confinement Because of our ignorance of proper methods in cur fines of these boxf"s, which was just large enough to within prison walls for long yem s not only makes pass ing the evil of crime, we need not, necessarily, aggra permit them to maneuver their bodies with great diffi- tble, but all too certam. vate the matter by caging our criminals. treating tnem culty so that they might ~queeze their heads through Then, from one end of the country to the other, we like animals for long years, and after having made de the very small opening at the side, through which they have Reformatot ies. Cf these the questc.n is often aske::l, generates of them, turn them out upon themselves. were fed. They could never stand, nor sit nor might do they really reform? The n •ply of the expert must al We do not want any more sentiment in this matter they have the Cl)mfort of lying at full length. ways be, that they do, wherever it is possible, DESPITE than is required m the successful conduct of any oth The filth, the uselessness, the utter horror of it all THE SADLY LIMITED MEANS AT THEIR DISPCS er everyday business, but -we do want to tEar in mind were superlative. AL. that each of us has only one life, whether we be on SUCH IS INHUMANITY TO MAN WHEN PUBLIC I Again, we have the parole system, which is not only the outside, or on the inside, of prison bars, and it be OPINION IS ABSOLUTELY EXCLUDED. a part of the reformation scheme of the Reformatory, hooves us to help each at her make the most of this We need all the public opinion we can obtain in the but which is also ustd in connection with state-prisons one life, which is a thing that cannot be done, nor can management of the institutions that make the United and oenitentiaries. In the stateot LoL.i.;iana f01 inslance we be true to ourselves, if our motto be 1'eve11ge, since States the nation she is, that make her the most pro. a person sentenced to prison may be released on parole revenge al\1\ays and unfailirglyJt2ct;,uj:cn tl.ue \1\l·o gressive country of the world at this very mom<>nt after serving one year of a five year sentence, or five seek it, a11d in f , e case of the C011Vill£d c indnal, u ho is and there is no one institution that needs the atten- years of a life-sentenre. the time of release being sub ·made brutal o11ti degc11c1nll', 1/ 1rorts 1 P011 nrgrmized so- ti 'ln of the public so much a" our prio;;ons. ject onl)• to the conduct of 1 he pri!'ont'r!'. l rirty. 10 THE CHRONICLE PRISONS AND PRISONERS E XCHANGE COMMENTARY Our exchange list has steadily grown larger and we ' "Mitch" of the Umpire, that spunky progressive C. A. Kohl, recently di scharged from the Federal are now in receipt of 35 publications from 22statesas little weekly, published by the boys of the Eastern penitentiary after completing a tY.o years' sentence, follows: California 1, Colorado 1, Connecticut 3, District penitentiar:; at Philadelphia, Penn., comes forth with was rearrested in Chicago the other day, to stand trial of Columbia 1, Georgia 1, Illinois 2, Indiana 1, Iowa 1, a suggestion to prison editors that, if carried out as on another charge which may return him to Leaven Kansas 3, Kentucky 1, Massachusetts 2, Minnesota 3, it should be, will be of the utmost importance to pris- worth. When arrested Kohl grinned and ~hoc k hands Missouri 2, Nebraska 1. New Jersey 2, New York 2, oners everywhere. In a splendidly written editorial he cordially with the officus, and incidently gave the rut North Dakota 1, Ohio 2, Oregon 1, Pennsylvania 2, Ver- proposes that all editors of prison papers obtain the inary department of the Federal pen, a little advert is· mont ~. and Washington 2. The list is made up entirely opinions and views of the more intelligent and conser· ing by remarki?lg, "During my two years at Leaven of prison, reformatory and reform school publications. vative of their inmates on the question of prison bet- worth I tasted more tenderloin and sirloin steaks than We have yet to hear from The Monitor of Huntsville, terments and the best means to obtain these through I ever expect to see while at liberty." Can you beat Texas, and the Advance of Ogden, Utah. There is state legislation. He further suggests that these be that? also a sterling little monthly published at the state pri. carefully considered and weighed and the expressions A Pennsylvania jury recommended an old man to son, Windsor, Vermont, which we have not received for of the hot-heads and radicals thrown out. He advises the mercy of the Court, and the Judge sent him to pri some time. the editor to place himself in the position of an injur_ son for from five to fifteen. "Mercy" was evidently ed member of society or that of its most straight. not in a good humor that day. In giving an account of the congress of the Ameri laced l'haracter. After looking carefully into both can Prison Association, one day's session of which sides of every opinion submitted the editor sho•Jid L~nd A Hand, in its October number prints the fol- 1 was held at the new state prison at Stillwater, Minn., endeavor to evolve two or three ideas of unquestioned I o~mg: . the Mirror says: ·t d d th b 'ld to the lembers An Associated Press dispatch, sent out broadcast men • an arou_n ese Ul a P1 ea n . from San Francisco reads: Albert Garvin, formerly Warden of this institution, of the state legislature for the enactment of laws m . ' · 'th th b 'tt d It IS learned that escapes from prison are far more and at pres~nt Superintendent of the Connecticut accord w1 e p 1ea su m1 e . Reformatory at Cheshire, being introduced to the The idea is without doubt worthy of the consider· num~rous ~han the pu~li~ knows about. They hap assemblaR"e. advanced to the front and as a prelimin ation of all penal publications. If the latter make a pen hke this: A convicts term expires. He is called ary turned to Gov. Eberhart, and referring to sever simultaneous attack upon the different state bodies, f~r to go to the warden's office, and a man presents b d h't th k d It · good h1mself. There are a lot of convicts and the warden al men of the orchestra "who had served over twenty 1 111 some are oun to e mar an resu • can't remember them all. 'J he man is released. Short- years," asked. "Why dou't you pardon these men?" "Mitch" asks for criticism or objection to the pro- and then continued, "Mr. President, Ladies and Gen position and we shall speak frankly on the subject. ly afterward the right convict clam~Jrs loudly to know why he was not released at the end of his term. He tlemen, Boys--." That little word "boys" certainly The idea is a spendid one--with (to our opinion) sounded good, for it informed the orchestra boys one possible fault. It is too vague. We are great be- proves conclu!;ively that he ought to have been released that he was addressing them as well as the general lievers in concentration. Let all editors participate a_nd the authorities have to let him go. In the mean assemblage. He then went on tn speak about the now in a general discussion of the subject and let the tl~e ~ 0 · 1 ?as ~ut as much_ distance between himself changes that had been made for the better in this concensus of opinion choose just what remedies an t e pemtentlary as possible. institution, and said he was very glad to see that the should be urged a11d petitioned for. It is certain that He-haw! Where is Maud the Mule? Of all the assinine night school which he started over a score of years success would be obtained more more quickly if ali i pipe .~reams originating in the opium-soaked head of a ago had reached such a wonderful stage of advance· were urs;(ing the adoption of a particular reform or of $9 r~porte_r, the above i~ the limit. How~ver, it is in ment. He spoke in glowing terms of the great work reforms than would alone appeal for diversified ones. keepmg With the usual mformat10n furmshed by the that Warden Wolfer has done. If all should concentrate on an urgent appeal for the ne>wspapers regarding prisons and prisone1 s - pure That's our superintendent all the way through; if countrywide establishment of the office of Public De- , imagination. Only one thing is the matter with the the Mirror had accidentally left the name of the speak fender or to show the necessity for the revisement of above stunt- it can't be done." er blank there is no one of whom we would have the general statutes so that criminal law everywhere In an able editorial the editor of the Index, the pris thought more quickly of to fill the vacancy than Sup should be more uniform, we think it possible that real on paper of the Washington State Ref0rmatory at M(Jn erintendent Garvin. The boys of Cheshire feel the good must result from the tremendous pressure brought roe, Washington, says: same way about him as you do, Stillwater. to bear by this countrywide appeal. Under present conditions it is next to impossible for Though our stay here in the Reformatory is dr_awing a man to enter a reformatory or pentitentia1 y and A welcome visitor to our sanctum sanctorum is Lend A Hand, published by the men of the Oregou state pris to a close and another ~ont~ . may ~~e a new editor at ! leave there better equipped to fight the battle of lift. the helm of The Chromcle, Mitch rest assured Most of t'le institutions have little systematic educa on. The "prohibition number" is a credit to its editor, ca~ that we can be counted on to the last mmute. tiona! direction and a bit of effort in that line would No. 6435. It is pathetic that a fellow as bright and un derstanding as he, and one capable of wielding such a _The_prisone.rs of Joliet are ma~ufactnring and con- ~ develop a special interest that would be of economic facile pen should be deprived of liberty for li ft'. Our tnbutmg an 1mmense lo't of Chnstmas toys for the value bvth to the taxpayers and the inmates. sincere hope is that the powers that be recognize th( Christmas ship of gifts for the poor children of the war- A modern educator would set a goal for the inmate capabilities of this man--- and reward him for hi~ ring countries of Europe. Secretary of War Daniels I to strive for and in that way add zest to the game. He splendid work. It is certain that Society can avail itself h~s placed a w_arship: for the transportation of these would learn the individual aptitude of the student and of talents such as his. g1fts, at the dJspos1t10n of the hundred newspapers appty himse f to bringing out the latent talent the in carrying on tl-!is commendable work. The plan origi- mdte might have for a particular study. WhethPr it is Our "swan song" has been set up, proofed, and laid nated with the Chicago Herald. Idairy farmiug or journalism would make no difference away for the next issue of THE CHRONICLE. Before it Tl-!e Kansas A{ricultural CJI\ege offers correspon- to the instructor for his aim would be to so fit the in sees the light of day we will, if fortunate, have removed dence courses free to inmates of the U. S. Penitentiat·y mate to take his place in society as to leave no excuse our labors to other fields. And so we say to our broth at Leavenworth, Kas. The courses are not all agricul-1 if again he broke the law. er editors, farewell. Farewell to you "Cuba." to you tural. There a recourses in history, civics, classics, Eng- Let us hasten thr- day when the qualifications for par "Mitch", farewell to you all. To "Bob" of Stray Shots, lish composition, rhetoric, philosophy and other sub- ole will be a man's fitness to re-enter society armed to Wilson of the New Era, to "W. F. G." of Our View jects. to meet the competition which is growing keener each Point, to "E. A.M." of the Index, to "Pendennis", "Bob Connecticut, with its many institutions of learning, year, and in order to fit the man for that qualification bles" and others of the Mirror, to the friendly editors could well afford to foliow this example and offer sim- let us broaden our educational system to that end. of the many publications that come to our exchange ilar courses to its delinquents, both here and at Weth- Hereafter the men in the State ]~ rison at Still\' ater t3ble. fare..vell. Keep up the good fight boys, and may ersfield. Minnesota will have the privilt-ge of conversing at you. one and all, have an early opportunity to publish Paul Graynor, who fifteen year~ ago was committed to meals during noon hours on Tuesda~ s. Thur;,days a1.d a ''farewell" editorial. We ask of you to give our suc a penitentiary in Texas under a forty-years' sentence Sundays. Discussing this change the Mirrnr, publishld cessor the sa '11 ·~ friendly aid and advice that you have for murder, has refused an offered pardon from the in the Stillwater institution, says: given us. Without it we are certain that THE CHRON ICLE would never have attained its present success, Governoron the ground that h ~ can do more good in A prison is only th:! length.! neds'1..1do.v of the war the penitentiary than he can do 0..1tside. Graynor is den. He has in many ways a curious.y despotic powtr be that what it may. thirty-seven years old, and says he expects to serve out over the inmates. He can make life hideous for tl e The Refoo·matory Pillar, a splendidly edited publica the remaining t-v !a ty·five years o f his sentence. Hav- unfortunates under him, or can lighten their burde1,;; tion, gotten out by the bws of the Minne,ota state ing expe1 ienced a ~. mversion to C'1ristianity, he has and as an inmate of the Mmn ~ s)ta State Prison, we reformatory at St. Cloud, announces that it is to be proved his faith most abundantly by his good deeds to can say that although the discipline here is very strict, published hPreafter in newspaper form. Accept ou1 fellow-prisoners, no less than fi ;'teen men having gone it iscompatible, and with the privileges that have al · congratnlation<;, brother, anrl don't forget to send a forth from the oris·Jn w1 > clai n' I ,h ~ ·r r ~ . >r '""" ready been granted, and with those that will follow in copy to Yours Truly. due to a'iS•>ciation with Graynor. the future. J( THE CHRONICLE A PRISONER'S APOLOGY COLUMN OF COMMENT Oh, yes, I'm guilty, right enough: WIT AND HUMOR If it were a part of every law course, a condition pre It ain't no use to throw a bluff, The wayward young man, broken in health, was sent cedent to admission to the bar, that the student serve An' yet, I guess society - to the southwest to recuperate. He was in jail for steal a term, of not less than one year, in the penitentiary, Kin share the guilt along o' me! ing a hind quarter of beef. He wrote home: "Dear Fa might we not have saner laws and wiser judgment in I ain't the kind to weep and whine? thet- I've picked up some flesh since I came here but the criminal courts? But say-- wot chance, what chance was mine? am still confined to my room. Please send me $100." The will of the late Justice Horace P. Lurton, of the Born in a dirty, reeking slum Where decent sunlight never come. An lola man and his wife disagreed on the question Supreme Court of the United States, has been declar· of equal suffrage. When the amendment carried the ed null and void for want of attesting witnesses. "Ig. An' starved for food an' starvl!d for air, husband comforted himself by warning his victoriou norance of the law" would hardly be expected of a Su Through all my years of boyhood there, and somewhat exultant helpmate that she would have preme Court Justice. Yet we find it so. None of usare While evil things an' low an' mean to serve on the jury. beyond the point of learning. Was nearly all the life I seen: "I'm not afraid of that," she said. A prisoner who on September 1 escaped from the I Of course I growed to be a tough, I "But," he insistei, "suppose the sheriff should come state prison of Oregnn left a note requesting the War A hoodlum and a bad young rough! after you, what would you do?" den to refrain from hounding him, as he escaped in But even then I might uv been "Why, I'd just tell him I didn't know anything about order to reform. Reformed to be some use to men I the case!" was the triumphant reply. If every time I left the trail One of the most pleasing instances of the active law They didn't slam me into jail While impaneling a grand jury the judge said that of compensation is that the rapid increase of crime is Where thieves and all that rotten crew those who wished to be excused from serving should cheerfully met and accommodated by a little more than Would teach me worse then all I knew. come to the bar and state their excuse. Tv.o had tried a corresponding increase of penal homes. The country Iin vain, when the third, feeling sure he had sufficient sees to it that we do not lack prisons, be other short Oh, yes, I'm guilty, that is clear: excuse, shouted: "I am deaf in one ear." The judge ages what they may. But every guy who's listening here replied: "It was long since decided that the grand jury An' all you swells and goodly folks have to hear but one side of the case. One ear will Warden Homer of Great Meadow Prison, New York, Who sniffs at me an' such like blokes suffice." is permitting a sextet, a soloist and a pianist- eight Is guilty, too, along o' me convicts- to make a concert tour of northern New York And will be 'till the world is free French Chanffeur [to deaffarmer on a Maine road) cities and towns, and they have no guards with them. Of stinking slums and rotten holes -"Can you tell me, sare, vere I get some ze gazzoline?" Farmer [with his hand to his ear)- "Hey?" A writer in an eastern prison paper recently asked That poisin people's hearts and souls An' cheat 'em from their birth French Chauffeur- "Non, non! Not ze hay-ze gaz the question, "What is justice?" zoline. Zizz eez a motor car, not a horse." Justice to the criminal is what the courts decree, no From any decent chance on earth: I ain't the kid to weep an' whine, more, no less. That answers the question fully and In thP. haymarket one after~oon recently a couple of But, say, wot chance, wot chance was mine? completely. farmers stopped to talk crops and horses. The Summary "Are you in the market for a good h ~ THE CHRONICLE is published regularly the 1st of each month at the Connecticut Reformatory i T and is edited, contributed to and printed by the inmat2s. Its object is to encourage moral and intellec- ~ + tual improvement among the inmates; to devote its energies along lines calculated to lead recreant + ~ ones back to usefullness in Society; to acquaint the public with our true status, and to dispel the preju- i T dice which exists against those who have paid the penalty of their transgressions. '":i"" + SUB.'.'CRIBE FOR THE CHRONICLE SEND + ~ It is sometimes pleasant to consider the different notions 'Nhich different persons have of the same i T thing. - Addison. FIFTY '":i"" + SUBSCRIBE FOR THE CHRONICLJ': + ~ Now that you have read The Chronicle, how does it impress you? Don't you think it is worth the CENTS i T price? '":i"" + SUBSCRTBE FOR THE CHRONICl-E STAMPS + + If you are a subscriber to the "Chronicle", pass it on; if not, read, subscribe, and then pass it on. OR + SEND IN A SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE CHRONICLE I ER ~ Many inmates find in The Chronicle a monthly visitor - perhaps the only visitor that comes to S LV + T their cells - - and it breathes to them the spirit of hope and encouragement so vital a need to men i ~ in their situation. FOR A ~ + YEAR'S + ~ WHAT OUR PRISON CONTEMPORARIES SAY: i T SUB- '":i"" ~ The Cheshire Chronicle represents the fine type of prison publication in its eight pages of splendid i T letter press designed to interest and instruct its readers without being "soggy." - The Umpire of Phil- SCRIP- '":i"" ~ adelphia, Pa. i T TION '":i"" ~ The Chronicle might well be classed as a member of the "Big Brother" movement because of the TO THE + T brotherly attitude it assumes toward its re1ders both inside and outside the institution. Penitentiary L Bulletin, of Lansing, Kansas. i T CHRON- '":i"" + The Chronicle is of neat appearance. It is well edited and we find it has the moral st.:rength to say + what needs to be said while, a't the same time it shows a commendable kindness for the men it must ICLE + criticize. - The Prison Post of Joliet, Ill. + + The Chronicle is a publication that should do much to increase the prestige of "inside journalism." + + -- Our View Point, Walla Walla, Wash. + ~ The Chronicle, of Cheshire, Conn., reformatory is not the largest p<~per on earth, but is one of the best. i T It has plenty of time in which to grow. Lend a Hand, of Salem, Oregon. ~ + + ~++++++++++++++++++++++++~ . wa<> great, foolmg <>very one wtth ltts as- instructive. confidence and enthusiasm. From James Gaffney the sortment of tricks. but it was as a jokesmith that he President of the club. to the bat boy, they wert- in pc r made his big hit. When he retired, he left the specta- 1 Inmates of the Catholic faith were permitted to attend fect harmony. Good fellowship prcvailt d to ~l ' t h a tors in ~uch a good humor that Cummings and Flan- the confessional in the chapel on Saturday, the 17th, high degree that they could not fail to give t-ach other agan, songsters and hot air merchants, had no trouble Iand on S~nday morning_ they atte_nded Mass and Holy gi.t edged support. getting by with their comedy dialogue. They sprung CommuniOn. Father Gtunan offictated at both serv1ces. A man must have something more in mind than some of the latest jokes upon a poor unsuspecting au- ~ Last Sunday, the 25th, was observed throughout the simply increasing his battin~ average. There ate oc dience and were heartily app:auded for the effort. country a;; P 1·is >n S..t 1·1av. Chaplain Coburn of this casions when he must sacrif1ce d hit to advance ;mother The fourth num'Jer was the r·enclering of those old institution addressed the congregation of the Second player in the interest of victory. He must think by favorites "Last Night Was The End of The World' and Congregational Church of Waterbury. at the evemng cia} and dream by night of the success of his team. 'While The River of Love Flows On." Mr. Joseph Me- services. His subject was "Prison Reform" and wasso The man who only works for Saturday night and his (.rail sang these in an effictE>nt manner and was sue- well delivered that reports of it were to be found in pav envelope is no good in any depa1 tment of life. ceeded by Mr. Irving Ritchey and his talking dolls. The the State papers. The best team work is impossible unless the play mimics of the ''dolls" and lh E> ir gibberings as instruct- ers lead clean lives. Matht\\SCn is beloved quite as ed by the ventriloquist were well received. much for the splendid reputaticn he bears off the field All in all , a splendid time was had, and to no one, Among those expecting to heed the call of the out· as for his cunning delivery or keen mind when at wcrk. side world is the saver of our soles, 29 T. who expects with the exception of Supt. Gat·vin are we more in- An athlete cannot co the "red light" district eYuy to make his departure in t''e near fnture. He has per debteJ than to Mr. james F. Brennan. probation officer night, drink ''booze" with the fans or stay out until the formed his tasks well while here and takes with him of the city court of ew Haven. It was largely through wee hours with a gwup of l..idy admirers and be of any the w-ell-wishes of the inmates and officers. Ius eff trls that the Fun Makers were obtained. The value the next day. hear·ty a JQiau~ e with which the Fun Makers and Mr. "130 days more," blithely sang 172 G., the laundry's It is injurious to succel'sful teamwm k to be kicking Brennan's short speech was greeted, is only a slight representative on the teaching force. against the decisions of the umjJires. All the spectators t > ' c ~ ·1 •Jf t'J' waY t'l t! "B lY~ of Cht- shire" appreciated Say, old top. they can't really keep a fellow that and the players themselves together "ith the mana their generosity. ong. can they? gers could do very much better work than these guard THE CHRONICLE on behalf o( its inmate readers 9;) J. says h ~ would like to see his number in THE ians of law and order on the dtamond. But it is not •) ff CORRECTIONS tlwre was still some dirty work to do, so lie made the state t 11t la.v is s..t;>.erfln .B. If our la·.vs, he declares, T .1e enlargin-:?; of thi3 is>ue was not taken into con· beasts and re.Jtiles and pois'ln'lus insects, and when "were all wiped off th ~ b, Jks tonight, you would go on living just as good a life w:t .Jout them as you did sicleration until four of the regular eight-page issue had He had finished Ht- had some scraps that were too bad had been printed. The p3~ e '> , therefore, are mis·num · with them." to go into 1ht.> Rattlesnake, the Hyena. and the Scorpion, bered. Page 6 is marked as 4, 7 as 5, 11 as 7, and 12 as 8. LN U3 ln;>e this p= culiar idea will not be seen by On page 10. second column. reference is made of the Skunk. l'O he put all these tow•ther, covered it anybody in authonty. In the first place, if there were "Secretary of War" Daniels. This, of cour~e. should with suspicion, and wrapped it with jealnusy, markE>d no laws, there would b ~ nolawjers. If there would be no dtvorce cases, n'l pictureque murder trials and have read, Secretary of the Navy. it with a Vt>llow ~treak, and called it a KNOCKER. as an inevitable consequt>nce-no newspapers, as there Thi~ proclu cr was ~ J ft! arful to C'lnte•n;>late that He would be nothing but news to print. THE CHANGING POPULATION. had to make somet bing to c:mnteract it, so He took a But this is not all. If there were no lawyers, crime 1umbt' r of Inmates: 228 su nheam and put irt it the heart of a child. the brain would be punished so quickly that there would be no Last Registe-r Number : :.!7-l of a man. wrap;Jecl these in civic pride, covered it with excuse for committing it. At present the life of a crim Parol ~ d during the Month: 4 brother!)• love. gave it a mask of velvet and grasp of inal is so fa !Set nat ing as to be pracucally irresistable. Rt> eeiwcl d uring the Month: 21 He is worshipped b:,· wo.nen, envied by men, defended :o:teel, and called it a BOOSTER; made him a lover of First Grade 131 by a'Jle lawyers, ju lged and rejudged by famous judg field~ and flow i! n' and manly ports, a believer in equal· 1 Second Crade: 89 es and nJ))rte1 by t 1! stat ~. If la.v W.:! re abolished Third l.radt• : 5 ity and justice, and ever since these two were mortal. and Ia .v;·ers sh')ul I ce 1St.:, t'1ere would he no high cost Prnmott>d to First Crade During Mnrith: R man has had the privilege of choosing his associate~. of living. We shnuld even begin to cultivate our n' irc's. THE CHRONICLE 9