Newspaper Page Text
iKtrrnr Entered at the postoffic* at Stillwater. Minnesota. as second-class mail matter. , Thx Mirror is issued every Thursday at the following rates: One Year H.o® Six Months 50 rhree Months M To inmates of all penal institutions per year.... .50 Address all communications to Thx Mirrox, 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 peno logical information and to aid in dispelling that prejudjce which has ever been the bar sinister to a fallen man’s self-redemption. NOTICE TO INMATES: Each inmate is accorded the privilege of sending one paper home, or to friends free of charge. To do this you should write your own name and register number and the name and address of the person you wish to send the paper to. and hand same to your officer. If you desire to send more than one paper, each additional copy will be charged for at the rate of 50 cents a year—The paper delivered to your cell each week must be kept clean, and should be folded in the same manner as you receive it, placing it at the foot of your bed on the morning follow ing the day on which it is delivered to your cell. CHURCH NOTICE. Services in the Prison Chapel at nine o’clock every Sun day morning, Protestant and Catholic service every alternate Sunday. Rev. C. E. Benson and Rev. Fr. Corcoran, Chap lains. Notice —Contributions submitted to tbe Mirror for publication must be absolutely original; if not original, proper credit must be given, if known; if writer s name is not known, it should be so speci fied by said contributor. Should contributor fail to comply with this request he will henceforth be dropped from the Mirror’s contributing staff. Signed by Editor. Approved by Warden. Notice to Inmates War Saving or Thrift Stamps can be purchased each month by all who so desire. You mus)t notify your officer not later than the 20th of the month if you wish to purchase stamps during that month. C. S. Reed, Warden. .-. COMMENTS Ltbtur to keep •live in your breast that lit tle spark of ce lestial fire — conscience. George Washington BUY 4th LIBERTY BONDS Keep the Hun on the run The Kaiser discovered America in 1918, just 426 years later than Columbus. Peace! Peace! President Wilson tells Kaiser Bill to get back on German soil before asking favors of the Allied nations* Buy a Liberty Bond! By Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States Again the government comes to the people of the country with the request that they lend their money, and lend it upon a more liberal scale than ever before, in order that ther great war for the rights of America and the liberation of the world may be prosecuted with ever increasing vigor to a victorious conclusion. And it makes the appeal with the greatest confidence, because it knows that every day it is becoming clearer and clearer to think ing men throughout the nation‘that the winning of the war is an essential investment. The money that is held back now will be of little use or value if the war is not won and the selfish masters of Germany are permitted to dictate what America may and may not do. Men in America, besides, have from the first until now dedicated both their lives and their fortunes to the vindication and maintenance of the great principles and objects for which our govern ment was set up. They will not fail now to show the world for what their wealth was intended. Romantic Sicily Sicily’s history is as vivid and picturesque, as ferocious and creative and destructive, as mythical and intensely practical as the stories of all the rest of the world put together. And in beauty of nature, of climate or man and of beast the island is a para dise today, whether or not it was ever the workless, painless, passionless elysium where our first ances ters enjoyed all the good things of life without hav ing to toil. Nature, itself, now in the guise of the misun derstood gods of old, now in convulsions or in quiet fertility that science has made plain to us, weaves its mysterious shuttle through and through the highly colored fabric. And men —such menl —tower above their fel lows in the story like Titans —Pindar, Aeschylus, Theocritus, Thucydides, Archimedes, the two great Hierons, Cicero, Verres, Diodorus, Hamilcar and Hannabal, Roger the Count and Roger the King, Belisarius, the great crusaders Richard «of the Lion Heart and Louis the Saint of France, Charles of An jou, Frederick 11., the “wonder of the world.” Even this partial list reads like a compendium of ancient and medieval romance and chivalry. —National Geographic Magazine. Several years ago the late Archbishop Ireland was discussing the subject of the crypt in the new Cathedral, the place intended for the burial of the Archbishops of St. Paul. Suddenly he exclaimed, “Oh, bury me in the sunshine when I die.’’ A few days before his death the venerable prelate gave ex pression to the same sentiments when he said: “Let me lie out there with my people, under the green sod of Calvary; it is my wish,” says The Catholic World. Mr. James Nolan, who was present at the above meeting, put the sentiments into the following ver ses which were published at the time: Start the song of the Star Spangled Banner up on the crowded streets —revelry ceases, reverence steals upon them and thousands pause and bow their heads. This signifies that thousands who came to our shores seeking liberty, justice and equality of opportunity have learned and understood that under this flag, we have “a government of the people, by the people and for the people.” It signifies that the native American understands how dedicated to the freedom of all mankind this emblem is and wor ships willingly at its shrine. Its Stars and Stripes hearten today the boys in training camp, in barracks or upon the sea —in bil let stations, in the fighting line and in Red Cross hospitals behind the line—and keeps the home fires burning in their hearts, ' It has taken the pain of parting from your heart and placed in it the courage to await his return —or a message of his sacrifice. It will shield thousands of our boys asleep in the soil of France; asleep that liberty and this Flag may not become a memory and a by-,word. Waß ever flag so beautiful; did ever flag so fire the souls of men the world over as this flag does to day? It is kissed by warworn thousands as born proudly through the streets of London by an Amer ican army of Freedom. France bathes it in her tears as it takes its place in the battle line side by side with her glorious tri-color. Prostrate Belgium recognizes in this Flag the nation which succored her and the army that will drive the bestial invader from her soil and restore to her that of which she was robbed —freedom. The wounded soldier struggling to his knees to carry on so long as strength may last, sees it Hashing in the sun-light on the Marne, at Cantigny, at Cha teau Thierry, at Belleau Wood and reads its mess age to the Hun: “Thou shalt not pass!” Beware th a t our Govern ment be kept pure and incor rupt in all its parts. Woodrow Wilson To us at home this Flag must mean the love of women—the tenderness of baby arms —and the sense of duty to protect them. It must mean the heart throbbings that impel the humblest American to stand by his colors in defense of the freedom of the world, and holding it sweet, if need be, to die for it. And by every sacrifice of every character which we can make we must defend it. Without it there is no ray of hope to man. —By H. M. Magevney. Dear Mirror: A notice has been sent recently to persons en gaged in war work” requesting that everybody write a letter to his Home Paper by way of helping the United War Work Campaign for funds. One such notice came to me and after some consideration I de cided that The Mirror came as near being my home paper as any. For one thing, it is the only paper I receive regularly and when it arrives I frequently get word from the mail distributor that there is a copy of my "little home paper” on my desk. Another reason why I am glad to write this letter is that it will reach a good many persons who are going to subscribe liberally to the new fund. I remember how the previous causes have been re sponded to at Stillwater. So I want to tell you all (as we say down here) that your money is being spent in ways that have made the army the most wonderful army ever seen. It is an army not only of trained fighters with good, strong bodies but it is an army with brains and souls. It takes more than brute force to conquer. It is spirit that takes men "over the top” and what ever has helped to keep up Bury Me in The Sunshine Bury Me In the Sunshine Bury me in the sunshine There would I have my rest, On some fair slope, tree-sentinelled, In the great all-mother’s breast. Rain-swept, wind-swept, snow-swept. As the seasons come and go, And God renews the gala dress Of this His world below. Sarcophagus of porphyry In dismal crypt or vault, — If this must be the seal of fame, I gladly make default. For me the sunshine, twittering birds, The waters’ gurgling flow: Where God renews thp gala dress Of this His world below. Eulogy to the Flag' United War Work Campaign Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 30, 1918 the enthusiasm of the soldiers has been as truly in strumental in winning the war as have been tbe mu nitions themselves. I read a story in The Mirkob a long time ago which refered to a bridegroom who was seen to be looking extremely down-in-the-mouth. “What’s the matter. Jock” anxiously inquired the best man. “Hae ye lost the ring?” “No” muttered the unhap py Jock, “the ring’s all right enough, but, mon, I’ve lost my enthusiasm!” Next to a bridegroom without enthusiasm imag ine a soldier in the same cold state of mind. What could the future hold for either of them? Certainly the soldier would not come out a winner. We hear a great deal about the “morale” of the armies and the seven organizations who will be asking for funds in the united campaign are all contributing to this fundamental need of keeping the minds and spirits of the soldiers high and eager. The king of the or ganizations working for these ends is the Y. M. C. A., the amazing efficiency of which in its successful meeting of the normal young man on his own ground and ministering to his highest and also his homeliest needs must receive unquestioned endorsement. Working hand in hand with it we find the Catholic “Knights of Columbus,” the Jewish Welfare, and the American Library Association. This latter organi zation is a modest one which however has for its medium of work one of the essential articles in life, namely, the book. Wherever you can put a man you can put a book. Great organizations like the Y. M. C. A. and the Red Cross realize this and as part of the equipment of every building they erect they include shelves for books. This they have done from the beginning of the war before the American Li brary Association was called upon to take direct charge of this work. Now the selection, distribu tion and administration of the libraries in camps and overseas is the responsibility of the A. L. A. working in close connection with the other organiza tions. Much that has been accomplished in the pre paration of the men for advancement is due to the libraries provided. The army haH amazed us all by proving to be an army of ambitious men who are de termined to take advantage of every opportunity to get ahead. Is a man a cook? He resolves to be come a mess sergeant. What must the library do? It must provide cook books for study. One camp librarian told me that he had seventeen cook books and they were all in use. Suppose the camp is given over to a quartermaster’s corps. Beef, leather, re clamation methods, harness, shoes, and similar themes are not easy to study for there is not much in print that is available. What do they do? The officers write or prepare what they wish the men to learn and the source material is provided by the li brarian. He gathered it from the four quarters of the globe probably, but there it was in a pile of type written documents ready for the continued use of classes. This illustrates one phase of library work but is representative of much that is done in every camp on account of the determination of the men to get on. W ithout the services of competent persons whose sole responsibility is along such lines only a 1 part of what has been done for the army in this way could have been accomplished. Of course there is a great deal of reading for recreation. And what men like in the army of that sort is much the same as what they like everywhere. The most popular writer is Zane Grey. No camp has enough of his works to satisfy the demand. Next comes Beach, Bower, London, O. Henry with Kip ling, H. B. Wright, G. S. Porter, all sorts of detec tive stories and adventure following. But you never can tell what a man will really prefer. One there was who got into talk with a librarian who noticed that he bore the marks of overseas service, wounds, and honors. It transpired that the man had been on the ship that chased thfe Emden. He said he did not read much, especially fiction. “No” said the librari an, “you have lived it!” “Well” the hero went on “there is one novel I have read more than once and would like to read again; it is ‘The Harvester,’ by Gene Stratton Porter!” As I stated before, you never can tell what a man will prefer. For myself, I can only say that “The Harvester” is quite to slow for me. Much is being done for the soldiers and in re turn they are doing wonders for us and for the world. I am sure we are all feeling that nothing is too much which will help them to keep up the spirit and en thusiasm which are so impressing both our Allies and our enemies. Plain Tales From the Bible (Short sketches of the men and women whose hopes and ef forts, mistakes and attainments are recorded in this history. Their very strength and frailty, goodness and badness, wisdom and folly afford each individual of us the appropriate and ap plicable example, counsel or aid that we are continually need ing. These characters are presented here as persons who were actual, living personalities —as they surely were—and just mor tals as are we. In their humanness are the lessons in living the Bible holds for us.)' NABAL AND ABIGAIL A most difficult thing for folks to learn is that life is made up of little things. It is a law of nature that never changes; and no thought or desire of men can change it —the law qf little things, of beginnings. We may deem it of no importance, and many do; we may be entirely ignorant of its power, and many are; we may throughly understand what it can do and give, as some few wise mortals do; but whichever of these we are, nature’s inexorable rule of “little [Continued on page three, column 4] Yours Sincerely, Miriam E. Carey By Al Truism QUERIES NOTICE TO INMATES For the benefit of any inmates who appreciate and see the op portunity that their spare hours give towards a means of self-education through correspondence school courses, study of good literature, acquir ing an education in our Night Schools, or, who need helpful informa tion in connection with their work in our various departments, will here with be privileged to use the "Query" column. You are welcome to send in any queries of serious interest to yourself. Thk Mirror with the kind collaboration of Miss Miriam B. Carey, Supervisor of Institutional Libraries, will gladly endeavor to supply the requested information. NOTICE —In order to regulate the conduct of this column in mates must sign their name, register number and lock number to all queries submitted for publication. Inmate’s names, of course, will not be published, only the initials of each querist being used. (Ed.) Q: —Please give the area and population of the U. S., also of Russia. —V. A. L. A: —U. S. area (continental) 3,616,480 square miles, insu lar possessions about 125,000 square miles; population (contin ental) 102,826,000 (insular possessions) 10,341,900. Russia— Area, 8,647,000 square miles; population, 175, 137,000. Q: —Kindly state in your query column how many Satur day holidays were permitted during the month of October, 1917.—Ande. A:—Above question, which appeared in this column Sept. 26, was incorrectly answered. There was but one Saturday afternoon permitted—October 6th. Q:—Given a drawing composed of a right triangle whose perpendicular is 18 feet and the angle opposite the base is 42 degrees, followed by a right triangle whose perpendicular is 10 feet and the angle opposite 60 degrees, followed by an oblique triangle whose base is 15 feet which includes an angle of 120 degrees on the right and an angle of 30 degrees on the left, what is the distance from the vertex of the angle opposite the base of the first right triangle to the altitude of the oblique tri angle?—L. J. A: —44.76045+ feet. Q: —Kindly give the meaning of the word “terrain.”—C. A: —The word ii of French origin and means the ground, and the configuration thereof, where military operations are conducted. Q: —Are Irishman and Australians to be treated as British subjects and drafted into the American Army after October 12, or are they to be sent questionnaires and treated the same as other subject people or Americans? If an Irishman has de clared his intention to become a citizen and is willing to do his share as called upon he will be sent his questionaire and allow ed to take his turn in the draft order or will he still be con sidered a British subject and get his questionnaire after Octo ber 12?—B. I. L. A: —Article 1 of the British-Canadian convention * stipu lates: “That no citizen of the United States in Great Britain and no British subject in the United States who, before pro ceeding to Great Britain or the United States, respectively, was ordinarily resident in a place in the possession of the United States or in his majesty’s dominions, respectively, where the law does not impose compulsory military service shall, by vir tue of this convention, be liable to military service under the laws and regulations of Great Britain or the United States, res pectively: Provided, further, that in the event of compulsory military service being applied to any part of his majesty’s do minions in which military service at present is not compulsory, British subjects who before proceeding to the United States were ordinarily resident in such part of his majesty’s dominions, shall thereupon be included within the terms of this conven tion.” Residents of Ireland under this definition do not come within the meaning of the act. —Lieut. T. Glenn Harrison, In telligent Officer, Office of Adjutant General Rhinow. What is the meaning of Habeas Corpus?—S. T. A. A: —The Habeas Corpus Act, passed in the time of Charles 11., piovides that the body of an accused person must be brought (if he insists) before a judge, and the reason of his confinement stated. The judge will then determine whether or not to admit the accused to bail. The guilt of an accused per son is to be finally decided by a jury. N 0 TIC E—All inmates using the Query Column and desiring more de tailed information to their queries are invited to use the splendid ref erence books in our library to be had on request. The International Text Books are especially complete in their information on technical subjects. Consult the Reference, Useful Arts, Literature, Chemistry, Biography and Science divisions of our library catalogue for diversified subjects. UNANSWERED QUERIES The Mirror will publish answers and solutions to the following queries in due time and consecutive order, and in the meantime all de siring to contribute solutions are invited to do so. Q:—Please state in your column whether all shells are ex plosive.—R. A. R. UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT War Savings Stamps Are The Safest Investment That You Can Make They have the same backing as the Liberty Loan Bonds —the resources of the United States Government. They are different from the Bonds for the reason that they may be purchased at a dis count and at their maturity (Jan. 1, 1923) you collect both principal and interest; where with the Bonds they are bought at par and the interest is paid semi annually. United States War Savings Stamps are as good as cash any time, by giving ten days written notice at any post office, or redeem able Jan. 1, 1923, with 4% interest com pounded quarterly. During The Month of October the Cost is $4.21 November, 1918—54.22 January, 1920 —$4.36 December, 1818—54.23 January, 1921—54.48 January, 1919 —$4.24 Januafy, 1922—54.00 January, 1923—55.00 Be a Patriot and start today buying stamps i H