Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-05-25

of their hands. This was done, aad now
with much reduced force they turn ont
about eight wagons q day.
discipline in the penitentisry is better
now than it was. There have been no Ell
treme cases Of punishment, and in fact
there has been no call for it. If there ID
any trouble, il is because the contractors
are asking too much. Other Superintend-
ents let the CONTRACTORS run the peniteu.
tisry and do about as they pleased with
the convicts."
1t is in this department that W. 8.
Douglass, of Grant county, is employed.
Douglass is one of the most intelligent and
capable Of the inmates of the prison.
When granted permission to talk he gave
his opinion freely and unreservedly. He
said the discipline was good and as much
work was turned out now as at any pre-.
yious time. Superintendent Robertson
tried to treat both cOnvicts and contract tori
fairly.
The chief bones of contention seem TO b
the whip shop and the broom shop, In
which about 120 men are at work. The
contractors, Messrs. Weaver & Bsrdall and
Weaver & Humphreys, were very emphatic
in their statements. Both Mr.. Weaver
and Mr.. Humphreys claimed that the
work was poorer in quality and less in
quantity than should be turned out.
They said they had
MADE FREQUENT COMPLAINTS,
but there was no improvement. They had
given notice that they would relinQuish
their contract within six months.
The guard in the whip shop, Mr.. Fereu.
SOD, OF Wayne county, said he couldn't see
what cause the contractors in this depart
ment had to complain. He was in posi-
tion to see the work that was done and
Judge of its character. He had no interest
in turning out more or less than o fair
amount, but 81 think" he said, "the
work is as good and Of as good quality
as at any time since I have been on the
force. The men are well disciplined and
every case of insubordination is promptly
punished. Mr.. f. Ryan, guard in the
broom shop, made Q statement almost
identical. He has been q guard in the
penitentiary for over sixteen years, and il
we'll acquainted with the work that ID
done. ~ was in the broom department. "
he said, 'as early as the wardenskip oi
Mr.. Bridges. The character of the work
turned ont il about the same now as then
If there is any difference, it is easier to gel
the men to do their work now than for.
merly. There are not so many cases Of
severe punishment and discipline is better
l do not belicve.that during any time that
have been connected with the institution
have matters worked more smoothly and
satisfactorily as far as the convicts are con
cernod than at present"
The police records of the institution
were next examined. II appeared thai
the reports of convicts under Warden Rob
ertson's administration were fewer in mum
bers and for less grave offenses than under
the administrations immediately preceding
and when both Messrs. Humphreys and
Weaver admit that the discipline was good
Two months were selected at random for
comparison, and il was shown during the
first fifteen days OF July, 1886, when tn.
penitentiary was under the management
of Mr.. Peck, 19l cases of dis0bedience, in
subordination and non.performance oi
duty were reported, while for the firsl
fifteen days Of January, 1883. under War
den Robertson,
ONLY 45 CASES
of insubordination occurred. It was no
ticed that of the 191 cases, 127 were report
ed by w. b. Humphreys of the
broom shop. Mr.. Humphreys ha'
been very active in making com
plsint against Superintendent Robertson
In several cases during this time the cap
tain Of the guard stated that he was com
PEELED TO refuse to report men when
Humphreys requested it, because Of tn.
trivial character Of the offenscs. Careful
examination of the record further showed
that the punishments prescribed in the
rules had been inflicted in every case O.
disobedience or insubordination. Cases o.
incorngibility had been visited with tn,
EXTREMIST punishments prescribed in tn,
rules governing the institution. Thess
rules have been in force for number o
years, and the contracts for letting the mer
are based upon them. In carrying them
out strictly to the letter Mr.. Robertson
has followed his plain duty, without hest
tation or avoidance. There Is no power
vested in the Warden TO amend or overstel
them. They are binding on his conduct
and if there is any laxity Of discipline II ID
chargable, not TO the executive officer, bui
to the long-eIisting regulations Of the in
stitution.
All the partisan hog wash that has been
published and bawled about in regard to
the management has resolved itself into
two specific assertions that are easily eI'
planned. 1t is charged that six prisoners
have escaped and only one has been re
captured. Two of these escaped shortly af
ter the appointment Of the present warden
while Superintendent Peck and family still
occupied the penitentiary building. Two
of the others were convalescent patients
that escaped..from the hospital. They wers
recaptured
IN SIGHT OF THE WALLS.
The remaining two escaped through tn.
carelessness CT a guard who had them in
charge at q quarry six miles abov,
Moundsville. None Of the escapes ar,
Justly attributable to neglect or carlessnes'
on the part of the warden, and four Of the
six persons have been recaptured and arr
now within the penitentiary walls.
The great hue and cry that was raised
over the suspension Of work for the frs
four days Of February is equally baseless
1t is the prerogstive of the Warden to a.
siau the guards to their positions Becaus,
he would not allow the contractors Il
usurp this privilege and chose Whist guard
they pleased. these high handed gentle
men shut their shops and refused 10 fnrn
ish material for work, although the mer
were ut their benches during the time ant
ready for their task. The animus of thil
action is seen when Il is known that th,
guards rate the time Of each convict, and
this is the only protection Of both State and
convict from any exactions which the II
pacity Of contractors may inspire. Mr.
Robertson changed the guards because, IN
at least one OF the shops, o systemati,
method Of undertaking was being worked
with the result of defrauding the Stat,
and putting couvicts who are at task worl
at great disadvantage.
Mr.. Robertson expressed himself ver1
warmly on the upjusti6able asaaults thai
have been made on the institution. As to th,
charges Of laxity Of discipline, he said
'The only objection anyone has TO MI
management Is that do my duty as th,
rules and regulations prescribe and do no
allow than to run me. IL / would LEI
them take the men and do as they please
they would get the services Of the convict
for next TO nothing. This Ia not the firs