Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-11-26
Hatch Speaks.

Waning interest in the recent charges
against DR.. Palmer has been revived
by the appearance IN an afternoon paper
of Jackson OF lengthy alleged intervie
with Warden Hatch. in which he express.
ed the opinion that the charges are sub
stantlallY true. He l. represented as say
ing that his uspiciOn aS TO Palmer actions
was aroused "A year and a half ago 10y find
ing that conyicts Tom Nayin. Fred Rob
ert>on. VIM. Austin, Lowry, Mckinney,
and Others, were taking their meals in the
prison hospital, where the fare was Of
course great deal better than at the reg
ular prison table. He says he did not feel
warranted ia going counter 20 the prison
physicians recommendation based on
medical grounds, but he spoke TO
the doctor about it, and the latter in
sisted that what he did was necessary.
Weeks after, there being no change, he
again spoke 20 the doctor and requested
that the whole crowd might be sent back
10 the regular prison table, on the ground
that the other couvicts were complaining
OF favoritism. This was accordingly done,
but u was not very long before, one after
another. all were back i'm the hospital.
The warden says he then called the atten-
tentlOn of the inspectors 90 the fact and
they summoned the doctor before them.
lie made the anne defense 10 them as 10
Mr.. Hatch.
Matters then ram on after this fashion.
The warden -uNs be was dissatisfied and
suspicious. When Paytons time expired.
oct -u hC was informed bY one OF the
prison officers that PAXTON had said that
he would tell something about how tho
doctor did business and 80 when Pavton's
time expired he kept au eye on him. Just
before he was ready 20 leave the prison he
observed Bob Mckinney with a hack out
side and the doctor was in the hall. Pretty
soon he saw the doctor and Bob whisper
ing together, and he saw that they were
hXlng up scheme u get hold of PaytOn
TO keep him from telling what he knew
against the doctor. Then lac set an
officer ON Payton'S track with the result
already made public in statements
published few days ago. The investiga-
and an attempt will be made 10
get az the bottom facts. Warden Hatch
closed his interview with the following
just and sensible remarks:
In order 10 get good men TO have
charge Of penal institutions the latter
should be elevated out of politics. No
man should toe subject 10 tho huctuatiOn
of an election who has charge of prison.
OF this point ! am certain: 4 man can't
become an experienced officer in one or
two years and when man is a good
officer be should be- retained in his place.
When they are turned out OF office once in
two years no one can be expected 10 have
any great efficiency or experience. Ihope
our legislature will take our penal institu-
lions entirely ont OF politics. This view |
advocated at Atlanta. and / find most OF
the wardens agree with me. a. far a. /
my self am concerned have done the best
! could TO make the prison selfsustaining
and improve the condition Of the men in
all ways that could. In thi, | have been
moderately successful. When I became
warden / had had five years experience
as contractor and knew something of
and now after two years
actual control over them. find where
have made mistakes that | would not
make again. Experience teaches us all
and in no place any more than in charge Of