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Stye Ultrrnr Kntered at the postoffice at Stillwater, Minne sota. as second-class mail matter. Thk Mirror is issued every Thursday at the following rates: One Year SI.OO Six Months .50 'lTiree Months 25 To inmates of all penal institutions per yr. .50 Address all communications to , Thk Mirror, Stillwater. Minn. The Mirror is a weekly paper published in the Minnesota State Prison. It was founded in* 1887 by the prisoners and is edited and managed by them. It aims to be a home newspaper; to encourage moral and intellectual improvement among the prisoners; to acquaint the public with the true status of the prisoner: to disseminate penological information and to aid in dispelling that prejudice which has ever been the bar sinis ter to a fallen man’s self-redemption. TO INMATES for the information of new arrivals and all others desiring to send The Mirror to friends, the privilege will be granted by complying with the following rules: Write your own name and I register number and send same to this office with name and address of i>erson to whom paper is to , !>e sent. Kach paper must be kept clean and fold ed in the same manner in which it is received and placed in your door every Friday night. All in mates are requested to comply with this order whether sending out a copy or not AGAIN-A CHANGE OF EDITORS The cycle of time moves slowly, but its measured tread forward brings with it, changes in the lives of men and in the conduct of things material which bring sorrows and regrets on one hand and unbounded joy, happiness and thanksgiving on the other. It has only been a few months since the Mirror announced the re linquishing of the managerial reins of the paper by Mr. N. to his suc cessor Mr. W., the former having been favored by the Board of Pardons, and sent forth to enjoy once more the freedom which he so well earned through his conscientious and enthusiastic attention to his duties and conduct above reproach during his stay at this institution. And now comes another change; Mr. W., “Gayhoppin,” whom our readers have come to know and love so well through his brilliant editorship of the Mirror and through his crisp and always attractive con tributions prior to his assumption of the editorial duties, has been in formed by the Parole Board that his debt to the state has been paid in sofar as further confinement here is concerned, and he goes to begin life anew amid environments more pleasant in northern Minnesota. The Warden, Mr. Henry Wolfer, has appointed as Mr. W.’s successor, Mr. McN., with whose contributions to this paper over the uom de plum of “The Bluebird” and “Kour-Double-O-One” you are no doubt familiar. Ordinarly, the readers of a paper held dear by them, express feel ings of sincere regret when they learn that its editor has decided to make a change and enter new fields of activity; but in the case of a change in the Mirror management it is quite different. While we all feel sorry in a sense that former pleasant associations are to be severed, we rejoice in the fact that change means freedom for the one who has served them so faithfully. So we all join in saying to our departing comrade, God speed you on your way; may the lesson you’ve learned guide your footsteps in the future; may your career be one of brilliance and your every endeavor be marked by the greatest success; may thoughts of mere self give way to consideration of the welfare of others, and your heart be tilled with love, love for humanity —the love of God. lu assuming the duties ot the editorship of the Mirror, the writer appreciates the responsibility of the task in hand to its fullest extent, fol lowing in the path of some of the brightest minds that have unfortunately been compelled to temporarily abide here, and through whose efforts the Mirror has been raised to a standard of excellence not surpassed by any similar publication, the new editor realizes how much will be expected of him in the matter of maintaining the paper’s enviable position and holding it to that point of supeionty which has been gained through the efficient management of his predecessors. It is the appreciation of responsibility which always proves the strongest incentive for a man to give the very best that’s in him to the successful accomplishment of any task he undertakes, hence the readers may feel assured that the writer begins his new duties with a determin ation to give his very best efforts toward making the Mirror just the kind of a publication they want it to be—a bright, clean, entertaining paper, the influence of which may prove helpful and uplifting to all. But in this clay and age of lapid progress, when customs and usages oftimes change overnight; to stand still means the gradual dropping to the rear rank in the forward march of the army of achievement. Iu other words, the business which does not advance with the times, but is content to drag along iu the same old rut will soon find that others of more progressive tendencies have strong-shouldered their way to the front, aud instead of enjoying the proud distinction of being leader, it finds itself plodding along a road made rough by the cutting wheels of more alive competitors. So the Mirror will uot be content to stand still. We have a higher ambition than to merely hold our own aud live on the glories of past achievements, no matter how glittering they may be. The command, forward march” has been given and we will keep step with the music ana at least try to keep our place among ttie leaders. But one man cannot accomplish all that we hope to accomplish in. the matter of Mirror betterment. The most brilliant aud efficient editor in the world would be utterly lost without the assistance of a corps of live writers to give their enthusiastic support t„ his efforts. Fortunately the Mirror has a staff of correspondents of which any paper might be proud, a staff of experienced news gatherers aud feature contributors, loyal to the core, every member of which at all times stands ready to lend his aid iu making the paper newsy aud worth while. The new manage ment solicits from them the same kindly support and consideration which they have shown so faithfully to his predecessors, aud asks them all to continue iu their respective positions, furnishing copy in the same manner and through the same channels as heretofore. Xo immediate changes iu the form of publication will be made. Gradually new plans aud methods may bs adopted which we hope will add to the attractiveness of the paper. Its columns will be filled not prison ©ffirtala Hoard of Control C. E. Vasaly, ... Little Falls C. J. Swendsen, - - St. James Ralph W. Wheelock, - - Minneapolis Downer Mullen, Secretary. Hoard of flarolr C F.. Vasaly, Chairman. Henry Wolfer, Secretary. Rev. S. G. Smith. Charles S. Reed. Heath rnt Officials Henry Wolfer Warden J. J. Sullivan Deputy Warden J. Bnckland Asst, Deputy Warden New Prison John Whelan Act’g. Asst. Dpty. Warden Old Prison E. Dera gish Stewa rd G. A. Newman Physician Miss Mary McKinney Matron Clins. Corcoran Catholic Chaplain C. F.. Benson Protestant Chaplain SALUTATORY 'viiaaL-i* only with live news of the happenings daily ocouring in the institution, but also with matter which will combine N interest with the elevation of thought. Our aim shall.be to make the Mirror a medium through which the outside world may learu the true character of the men now confined within these walls, a paper whose influence for good may be felt by all its readers, the result of which may be reflected in their future lives. The editor earnestly asks the support of every man in this institu tion both at the old prison and at this handsome new'edifice to which he has just come. He solicits also the assistance of members of the boards controling the institution, and of its officers. In return he will give his very best efforts, praying that he may he given that w r isdom and guidauce which wdll insure ultimate success in the undertaking he has assumed. “The Bluebird.” With this issue of the Mirror we lay down our pen and le«ve to take up our duties iu the world beyond this city. An actiou of the Parole Board made this step possible. In years gone by the guiding hand of the Mirror has been changed many times; sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. When we took over the reins the Mirror was among the best of prison publications, and we do not believe that it is far behind the standard set today. It was never our boast that w-e could fill our editorial chair —we knew’ that it was beyond us, but at that we were willing to try. Sometimes we have made some of our brother inmates sore, for which we are heartily sorry, for no “slam” at another was ever taken with the intention of making enemies. To edit a prison publication is no picnic; you have to make your news from in consequential things —things which amount to nothing and jokes, or slams” as some prefer to call them, w 7 ere only meant for ourselves. The officials and guards have been very considerate and have given as sistance in every way possible, and we want them to accept our hearty thanks. The contributors have all rendered able assistance and have stood ready to help at every call, and to them do we owe thanks in more ways than one. The incoming editor needs no introduction to you. For some time he was a contributor to the Mirror under the pen name of “Four-I)ouble- O-One.” He has been iu the newspaper and magazine business for many years, and we have not the least doubt that the Mirror will soon, under his leadership, be the foremost prison paper in the world today. We only ask that the officials, guards and contributors give him the same assistance as has beeu accorded us. Just a word iu part’ng. men. A frieud of mine wrote me a letter a few weeks ago and iu that letter said: “You cannot beat the game of being on the square, because —well just because it is about the biggest thing there is.” Take that passage unto yourselves. Goodbye. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Yours truly, Year, I am, THE “GOOD FELLOWS” AND CHRISTMAS It was a happy thought inspired in the mind of a writer for the Chicago Tribune which several years ago resulted in the organization of a ‘Good Fellows” movement in that city, the object of which is the furnishing of Christmas cheer to the little ones whose parents can ill afford the expense of buying little Mary a dollie or Willie a sled; and it is indeed gratifying to note that other cities have taken up the idea, and similar organizations will this year bring gladness to the hearts of thou sands of little ones who otherwise would not know the joys of the day and no doubt wonder why Santa Claus had not remembered them as he had other, more fortunate children. Christmas at best is a children’s day —the day of days looked for ward to longingly by them year after year, aud it is quite right that it should be. The day itself is in celebration of the birth of a child —a Christ who taught through his whole earthly life, love —peace —good will; who through His words and example set, taught the world a higher regard for the little ones —“for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” The Santa Claus period is the happiest of life - the time when life seems a pleasant dream —when thoughts of fairies aud the building of huge air castles by tiny minds fill young hearts with love —not for them selves alone, but for all about them. To rob a child of his or her be lief iu childhood’s patron saint is almost a crime, and if you’ve ever noticed the sad look of disappointment that usually comes to the boy or girl when they “find out,” you can readily understand how really sorry they are that their pleasant illusion has been dispelled. There is no doubt that the custom of exchanging presents has be come an expensive aud altogether uncalled for abomination especially in America, through the desire to give this aud that friend “something as good as he’s sure to give me” —but if we would confiue our gifts to the children, aud lend our efforts toward making them happy, it would eliminate the worry of choosing, save money and make the world brighter aud better. Yes, let the ' Good Fellows” work go on —its a righteous mission —a mission which brings man iu closer fellowship with his neighbor less fortunate today, but who next year may be performnig a similar service for your family; its a mission which tends to obliberate selfishness and bring forth in its stead “Thoughts of childhood’s happy hours When you aud I were boys.” “Lend a Hand,” a publication which lays claim to being “the lead ing prison magazine of the world.” published by the inmates of the Ore gon state prison, comes to us this mouth with a newly designed cover page, one glance of which is certainly sufficient to produce a terrible nightmare. The border is made up of a well forged chain sufficiently strong iu appearance tc hold an obstreperous elephant, the tittle of the paper is given in letters formed of stripes, and the whole is embellished aud made more hideous by a magnificent pair of handcuffs. All that is needed to complete the cover is a well drawn skull aud cross bones with the usual inscription “poison,” but the artist evidently could not find room for this finishing touch. “Lend a Haud” preaches the elevation and reform of prison inmates, and its columns are usually filled with matter which serves to carry out its doctrine, but the impression made bv such a cover we refer to is cer tainly neither elevating nor does it tend to inculcate thoughts of cheer or reformation. GOOD BYE—GOOD LUCK ‘‘Gayhoppiu.” BLACKSTONE The Sage of The Old Prison, and August Authority on Things Generally, Con tributes a Column of Pithy Paragraphs. Good resolutions in prison often spoil before they are used. Wooden shoes are made in this country and cost from 60 to 75 cents per pair. No doubt some of the school teachers could dispose of a few pairs, to match their pupils heads. Conditions in the leather market continue to be unstable and shoe manufacturers are kept guessing. All of the trade journals predict higher prices, one stating that the price for shoes will go higher than the wildest predictions of the radicals. An analysis of orders for next spring and summer show increases for dress shoes in patent, dull calf and kid shoes. Rubber sole shoes show a large increase while the demand for boots and oxfords is less than any former season. The West gives pref erence to “Mary Jane” styles. The East is more English, and favors English styles. I omitted to state last week in my notes that it takes seven tons of shoes to make the car load lot that is shipped daily from Lynn, Mass. The shoe office lost a good clerk when Mac left us on Saturday, but our loss is the Mirror’s gain, so here’s wishing our new Editor success in his new role. Selz, Schwab & Co., tell in “Hide and Leather” how and why they started their Blue Ribbon Line of Shoe. There entire line was composed of over eleven hundred numbers and listening to the complaint of “too many styles” they called in their road salsemen, and asked them to vote for the best forty four styles the forty-four shoes which received the highest votes are separated into a special line. “The Blue Ribbon Line”—the merchant can concen trate his buying on this line and save money at the same time secure good stylish shoes. Don’t you often wonder, how the world worried along for ages without low cut shoes? Think of wearing long legged boots and no chance to display the latest startling effects in silk hosiery. The “Tango” says Annie Rittenhouse is responsible for a new style dancing shoe— it is a heelless slipper with dainty satin ribbons to anchor it to the feet of the dan ger. The doctors also are having their say as to the effect of dancing fifteen varieties of the one step, the Argentine tango and' the Brazilian maxixe, in which the heelless, shoe and the corsetless waist win a victory. The Salvation Army in England is in the boot and shoe trade both as manufac turer and retailer. On account of the low price at which their product is sold they are meeting much criticism for using funds given for religious purposes in this way. A new heel for the coming season is call ed the Kidney heel, and is designed to cor rect the defects of the Cuban heel—during the past few years the high heel has been in vogue and as a consequence the bunion doctors have made fortunes. At present there is a return to comfortable common sense style having low wide heels. Mr. Harry Kirk of Chicago was a visitor to the factoty last week. Harry has been coming to dtillwater for over seven years and has risen from a fifteen dollar a week order clerk travelling man to a $2,000 sales man. Harry was lucky but he made good. A consignment of upper leather from England is expected at the factory this week having arrived at New York on Sat urday—all hands are anxious to see what John Bull has to offer in the leather line. Xmas Gifts for Inmates Numerous inquiries have been made con cerning the nature of gifts which inmates will be permitted to receive from outside friends at Christmas time, and in order that they may know just what to send, it may be advisable to inform them accord ing to the list given below: Fruits, tooth powder, talcum or paste preparations of all kinds are barred. Each prisoner will receive a generous supply of fruit, candy, nuts, cake, etc., here, so that an additional supply from friends will be unnecessary. Articles that are permitted include: . Handkerchiefs Socks Underwear Mufflers Ear Muffs Gloves Shoes Slippers All packages should be plainly addressed to the person for whom they are intended, Box 55, Stillwater, Minn. 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