ten years for the same offense for which the Recidivist (second-termer), receives perhaps one or two years. There should be two prisons, one for first offenders and another for the Recidivist who is the real criminal per se. Short sentence should be the prevailing one for the former, and practical life detention for the latter, and both provisionally, under the Indeterminate sentence. The Recidivist rarely reforms. The way of escape should be made difficult both for his own sake, and certainly as a safeguard to society. His prison experience should not be made onerous. The second-termer should be leniently dealt with, as regards time of service. There is always a breaking point, I have noticed, in the detinue of every first offender beyond which he becomes embittered. He is then likely to become an enemy to society where, if the law had been more lenient, he might have been reclaimed. I advocate hard work, hard fare and strict discipline for these, to inaugurate a wholesome respect for prisonlife, and commensurately for the laws. A soft snap is the ruin of a prisoner, and an easy way out confirms the habitual and second offender unerringly in crime. In the meantime, we are entering upon a period of education. The public mind is just beginning to grasp the import of the problem in its varied economic, civie. and moral import. Crime costs the United States Government $600,000,000 per annum, or an amount about equal to one-half the one-half the public debt. California bears more than its proportionate share of this burden. The criminal wave breaks upon this shore and scatters its spume far and wide. Our congregate system is its greatest crime-breeding center. The criminal impact is appalling. The young offenders are here inoculated with its virus. No prison management however efficient can stem its influence. Only intelligent legislation crystallized into wise and efficient laws are equal to the task. This must be backed by an equally enlightened public sentiment to place us ultimately abreast with advancement along these lines other States. THE GIFT OF SONG BY ALONZO RICE "The gift of song is such a holy thing, So bright, apart from wealth or worldly fame, Men said my days were wasted, and indeed It seemed I went with empty hands, nor now Is there recalled one furrow that my plow Then made across the broad and fertile mead: And further, I could reap not, if the seed Were never planted; that the autumn bough Would barren be, nor could they but allow Such days at last to scanty want would lead! But He who clothes the lilies of the field And hears the hungry ravens when they cry, Has led me safely down the ways that shield From bitter blasts, beneath a cloudless sky; And song is mine; still passing moments yield That peace the gold of Ophir cannot buy. Marvelous Mexico-General interior of Santa Domingo at Oaxaca. This floor is entirely of tile and the church is said to have cost upwards of thirteen million dollars. A YOUTH OF PROMISE. BITTER-SWEET. Never yet has any kissed me But I've kissed him back again. Were it true all mouths have missed me, Off life's stage they'd all have hissed me; Never yet has any kissed me- CAPPING THE CLIMAX. Was once a gold miner out West; -Huntly Gordon. THE THREE PHILOSOPHERS AND THE COQUETTE. Three very Weird and very Long-haired and certainly very Wise Philosophers sat round a Table in a Cafe one Evening, as was their Wont, and Quaffed Ale the while they pooh-poohed Fra Elburtus and handed G. Bernard Pshaw a Couple in the Solar Plexus and coined Epigrams on the slightest Provocation. When these Matters had been properly Disposed of, they began a Discussion of the Evening's alloted Topic, "The Coquette," upon Which they had, in the Meantime, been thinking up some Extemporaneous Gems of Thought. "A Coquette," said the First, "is a Woman who Encourages a Man." "A Coquette," said the Second, "is a Woman who Discourages a Man." "A Coquette," said the Third, "is a Woman who Encourages a Man by Discouraging him."-Carrington Grant. |