Laredo Weekly Times

Think It Over.

Here is a story that will be of interest to the humanitarian. We are inclined to think it contains a considerable amount of truth:

"I was discharged from San Quentin six weeks ago. I was given a new suit of clothes (that was branded 'prison' all over, but no matter about this.) I was given clothes to cover me, $5 in cash, and the good wishes of the warden and the man who drives the van. Very good. you say for an ex-convict? Well. listen to this. On the day I was given my freedom, my picture, with my description, was sent to every sheriff of every county in the State: 'This man is free -may be coming your way. Look out for him.' Now, there is nothing dangerous about me, or, at least, there never was. I was a street- car conductor, a decent enough sort, when one night I got drunk and hit a man. Unfortunately for both of us, it nearly killed him. I paid the penalty. Should I be let alone now or not? I gave more than four years out of my life to the State. I lost my health. For that reason I thought that, being 'free,' I would go out into the country and work there until I got my strength back. From county to county I have been told to 'move on.' The first man to whom I applied for work gave it to me; then I took my honorable discharge out of my pocket and showed it to him. He picked up a cane that lay across his desk and yelled at me: 'You get out of here or I'll knock your brains out.'"

It is needless to draw any facile moral from this condition. The facts are intricate. The difficulties are many. A bitter situation faces the prisoner who wishes to lead an honorable life after his discharge. A delicate situation faces the man who would employ him. The employer knows the rule; it requires some sacrifice to principle and humanity on his part to test the particular case in order to avoid helping to crush a man who may be one of the exceptions. Sentimentalism in the treatment of crime is not to be encouraged. but injustice is still worse.-Collier's.