National Republican., 1883-12-10
Movements to Dust Gen. Croolcr and TO
UtLlIze the Prisoners.

Movements TO Dust Gen. Croolker and to
Utilize the Prisoners.
Many rumors and reports were ahoat Saturday
and yesterday concerning a proposed change in
the management Of the United States Jail in this
city. one report was TO the effect that Warden
Crockers resignation had been asked for while
another was that Marshal McMichael was trying
to get the institution under his control, as had
been the practice IN years gone by, with an allow
nnce olhity cents per DAY for the support OF each
convict,
With head full Of rumors n REPUBLICAN re-
porter called at the department of justice, aud
upon inquiry was informed that, while chief
Justice Cartier confirms all appointments and is
In charge of the jail, the department of justice
pays all expenses, without having authority to
control them.
except that under his m an agement the jail costs
three times as much as the United States jail at
Fort smith, Ark. The latter hayng less mum.
Der OF prisoners, would naturally cost a greater
amount per prisoner for their support. In view
OF this fact the department insists that II the Jail
was put under the control Of any OF the govern
ment departments, ns the Fort Smith Jail is, tho
expenses would be reduced. ai
II Is the opinion of the department of Justice
also that the jail here at present II run In the in
terests Of the wardens family This brother being
guard and his son clerk), and not in the inter-
The warden himself was spoken of in high
terms, but 1t is believed at the department that
the employment Of his relatives demorarizes the
service. For instance, the warden relies on them
duties of his Office. The consequence is that this
lax management gives rise to disgraceful scandals
and for some reason the guards who violate the
warden's orders, and subject the institution to
these scandSlous attacks, are not removed from
office.
The position ofmarshal is q responsible and un-
pleasant one, and If the salary was double 1t
would be difficult to ind a more responsible
person than Cen Crocker to accept II. But the
opinion of the department is that the jail ought to
be placed exclusively under the control OF that
department which bears Its expenses, so that n
more economical managemoI may be insured by
making 1t public rather tnau family institu-
ton.
=, The department of justice officials also think
that in any prison where large number of
female prisoners are confined there should be
matron. One could be provided for by dispensing
with the services Of an ornamental guard.
In this way alone can the jail be relieved from
repetition of the recent charge that certain
guards debnuched female prisoners. The matter
was Investigated by committee appointed by
the warden, and the department has been ex-
pecting daily to see the announcement that the
chief justice has removed at least one, aud per-
haps two, Of the guards.
The department believes, moreover, that the
labor OF the prisoners should be utilized some
way. In fact, the prisoners In cells, In order to
benefit their health. would be glad IL some such
arrangement could be effected. A number of
suggestions have been made to the attorney gen.
eral, among others the manufacture of gas for
the public buildings and grounds of Washington.
Inere are other plans. however, for utilizing the
labor OF the prisoners, which more practicable.
Ihe jail has been under the control of Warden
ment 1t was under the control OF Marshal Lamond.