OCR Text |
Show TREATMENT OF CONVICTS. Ono of tho curious phenomena of tho present day Is tho ngltntlon which is being conducted by llfo-torra convicts con-victs for tho virtual abolition of llfo Imprisonment, by providing that thoso so scntonccd shall bo liberated after a fixed number of years of good conduct. Thcro nro doubtloss some llfo prisoners who aro proper subjects of clemoncy, hut thoro Is another class whoso members cannot bo out of prison a week without committing crlmo. Tho public safety demands moro and not less sovorlty to hibltual criminals, nnd thcro is gravo reason to doubt that tho discretion of our prison authorities In permitting and apparently assisting In this appeal to maudlin sentiment in favor of a general gen-eral Jail delivery. San Pranclsco Chronicle |