PRISONER ARGUES WITH JUDGE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 197, 17 February 1912, Page 1 (Supplement)

PRISONER ARGUES WITH JUDGE.

The famous saying of Bishop Butler, who, seeing a man led to execution, exclaimed, "There, but for the grace of God, go I!" is recalled by a remarkable dialogue which took place at the Old Bailey between a prisoner and the Judge. George Thompson, a bricklayer, had been found guilty of breaking into a shop, and previous convictions had been proved. "Excuse me, my lord," he said; "you are a judge, and nave a good many men before you. Do you think they are all thoroughly bad through and through?" The Judge: No, I think some of them are thoroughly good through and through, but have happened to make a slip. But look at the immense list -of convictions against you for all kinds of things. Prisoner: Look how hard it is for a man who has once fallen to get somebody to "shove" 'him up. What chance have I got? How am I going to live? If I go to the Prisoners' Aid Society they send for a policeman to lock up the like of us. I went to join Mr. Wheatley's so-

ciety. He gave me a gratuity, and J ask' ed him for a situation, and lie said i "I don't want anything to do with such persons as house-breakers qx burglars." Yet thousands of pounds are paid into that society to help discharged prisoners. The judge replied tlwt the directors of the society had s?qpie hope of certain prisoners. But- could they spend money and tipe usefully on a man who had been stealing since he was 13? Pnnaner; If I had plenty of mongy Jie> hind me I should be out, the saffie As you. I might have had & co ]] ege educa . tion and been "shoved into a good job, like some of you people are. (Laughter.) It is no laughing matter for me." I ' The Judge: It is not necessary for a man to steal because he can't get work. Prisoner: If you beg you get locked up, so it is just the same. And if you try to sell matches you are locked up, too. The Judge: There is always the workhouse. Prisoner: You are as well off in prison as in the workhouse. The Judge remarked that he had been told so. Thompson was sent to prison for 18 months.