Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-04-11
THE PENITENTIARY.
The Deputy Warden Attracts the AT.
tention of the Board.
And is Permi tied to take an Unasked
for Vacation.

[From Columbus Post.l
The examination into the charges made
against Deputy Warden Cherington by DR..
Clemmer were brought TO sudden and un-
expected close yesterday afternoon, when at
few minutes before four o'clock the board
annouced the following decision:
''That the charges preferred by DR.. Glenn
mer have not been fully sustained but, upon
full and fair investigation. the board do find
that Deputy Warden Cherington has been
guilty of serious impropriety and violation of
official duty, and in consideration thereof the
board do consider and adjudge that said
Deputy Warden Cherington be suspended
from pay and duty for thirty days from this
date. t
At the adjournment of the board at its
morning session it was announced the inves-
tigation would be continued in the after
noon. This was considered anecessity il the
board desired to give affair and full investi-
cation" to the charges as they say in their re-
ing the fact to say so however. For after ex-
amining the witnesses called for by Mr..
Cherington they suddenly shut of the exam
ination without giving DR.. Clemmer the
chance to call out the many witnesses he had
to substaniate his charges by sufficient and
convincing evidences.
The action of the board makes it appear
very much as it did in the start, that it was
intended to be a clean whitewash, as previ-
Gus examinations had been, but seeing that
even the unwilling testimony of Cherington's s
witnesses compromised him to a great ex-
tent, they no doubt thought it would not do
to pass it by entirely, in the face of the pub
lie clamor that Justice be given the prisoners
of the State, that protection to their copsti-
tutions aud lives, to which they are entitled
by the written laws and unwritten laws of
humanity, so they shut it off with mild sus-
pension.
The board were, however, not unit in
their work by any means, for Col. Baldwin
stood out boldly and courageously for the
prompt and absolute dismissal of the deputy.
Col. Baldwin is always fiat footed in his de-
cisions, and so in this case was decisive in
his opinion and convictions that the officer
ought to be dismissed for the benefit of all.
Although the deputy may be a splendid officer
in some respects, and may be man of good
judgment and also of business as was the
tendency Of the testimony of the contractors
in the institution and his associates, still
there is no doubt but that he usurped the au-
thority of the physician, whether knowingly
or not, and to this in reality he did plead
guilty.
Only last week, lust before his departure
for Tennessee, a prisoner was brought to him
by this same guard, Campbell, and reported
for not working.
The deputy said at once, "We will see what
good the cellar will do him." mean
ing the ducking tub, punishment which had
been abolished for soma years past ouly for
very extreme cases.
The prisoner explained to the deputy that
he had told the guard he was unwell, and had
severe pains in his stomach and bowels for
some days, which the guard did not deny, and
that was the reason he could not work. The
deputy made no reply to this, but said, 'Let's
see your tongue" examined the prisoners
tongue, pulsation and asked him question
or two as to the pain, and then told the guard
II guess he is not very sick; take him back
and if he does not do his work, bring him
Overland will see what good water will dc
him."
This in the face of the fact that the institu.
ton has physician to look after and exam
inc into such cases, and say whether or not
they are able to work, and whose word and de.
cision in such matters is supposed to be law.
But this is only one of the many occurrences
of the same kind that have taken place and
been condoned by the board. There is no
doubt in the minds of all impartial and unbi-
ased persons conversant with all the facts in
ish Bates in the ducking tub, knowing him
to be insane. He admitted as much, but
pleads that Bates was ont of the charge OF
DR.. Clemmer, and as he thought he was
feiSning insanity he had right to punish
him. Knowing he had been In the insane
asylum he thonght that the ducking tub was
the most human treatment to give him, more
so than the dungeon. ~ S%
In the face of thisis the record of the hos
pital, showing that Bates Had been given five
days in the idle house, and the necessary slip,
as required by the rules, forwarded to the de-
puty's office on the day it was granted This
slip in some manner has disappeared from
the deputy's Office, whereas all the other slips
for years back are on deck and can be found
30 the record shows Bates was in the idle
house. and before the time had expired he
had been taken out, worked, punished, and on
the fourth day again back iu the hospital, and
on the fifth day heis almost raving maniac
and attempts to kill himself.
This is substantially the status of the main
defenses and che casein It's entirety. But still
four members of the board say, Welb pool
fellows, We can only relieve you from youl
fenrs and anxiety for thirty days, and The
|deputy's pay for such time sis sufficient to
compensate for the physical injury and suf
fering of these poor mortals. It is safe te
say that the people Of this great State viii
never submit until this man resigns or Is re
moved for his tyranny.
To say the least, the entire proceeding wa