Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-12
PRONOUNCED AFARCE
The Riverside Trial Criticised BY
Representative Stewart.
HE CALLS 1T NARROW AND UNFAIR
The Legislature Expected to Do a Little
Probing of Its Own.
ANOTHER CASE OF CRUELTY EXPOSED

Representatives Graham, Robinson, Stew.
art, Jones, Richards and Chalfant returned
to Harrisburg last night The general i'm
preston the legislators say they have of the
Western Penitentiary is that there is some
thing wrong in the institution, and that,
before any money is appropriated for its
benefit, full and open investigation, with
power to get and take all the facts, should
be made by the Legislature.
Mr.. Stewart expressed himself rather
forcibly on the subject as follows:
look on the Western Penitentiary as it is
conducted at present with great deal of sus-
picion, and for one will vote in favor of a
legislative investigation. The late investiga-
tion strikes me as nothing more than farce.
1t began at the wrong end. Somebody is the
man who is responsible for the institution, and
it should be seen first that he is all right.
The idea, in such an investigation confning
the prosecutor to certain specified charges, and
then
RULING OUT EVERYTHING
that showed that the subordinates were dere-
lict in their duties and that the institution was
not properly conducted! 1t was not a fair
mode of trial. All that the prisoners could
bring forward against the management of the
institution should have been heard.
Senators Robbins, who asked for an investi-
cation in the Senate, told me of a horrible case
of cruelty that came to his ears. long before
this investigation was started. A client of his,
a miner who had been convicted of manslaugh-
ter, was confined in the penitentiary. He had
man was killed. Somebody had to suffer
for it. and he was. selected. The Senator said
he was impressed with the mans sense of
honor and he still has perfect confidence in him.
10
that while he was confined at Riverside he was
asked to do something which he refused. To
coerce him they applied an electric battery to
him until the blood ran out of his ears.
This institution now asks for $4,000 from
the State. l, for one. will have to be satisfied
that such cruelty is not often practiced before
will vote for the appropriation,
PRISONERS ALWAYS KICKING.
Hon. James L. Graham said he thought
aLegislative investigation would be ordered,
but he was 10th to see it. He was Overseer
of the Poor once in Allegheny for nine
years. and, while in that position, had
visited all the penal institutions of the
State. His experience was that the
prisoners always had some complaint to
make and were never satisfied.
Mr.. Robson stated that his alien bill
would come up for first reading to-day. He
is confident the measure will pass. 1t pro-
vides that the property of aliens, acquired
during three years residence in the
country, shall be confscated, unless they
declare their intention OF becoming citizens
at the end of that time. Mr.. Robson said
such law existed in Illinois.
Controller Morrow and Delinquent Tax
Collector Ford also went to Harrisburg last
night; the former to explain few points in
new street bill to be introduced, and the
latter to use his influence against the bill to
tax the benevolent features of secret socie-
ties. Mr.. Ford claimed the bill was backed
by the old insurance companies, and that it
took away from the poor man the only op-
portunity he has of insuring his life.