The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-06-05
HE WAS WHITEWASHED.
Warden Grimes Comes Out
with Flying ColorS.

Warden Grimes, of the Penitentiary,
was victorious yesterday in the battle
against Freeholder McDonough. To the
surprise of everyone but Mr. Nc
Donough's friends, indirect charges
against the Warden were pre-
ferred last Tuesday, and informal
testimony vas taken Yesterday Mr.. Nc
Donough was forced to make formal
charges, which were as follows:-
First |, Thomas McDonough, do here
by charge Warden Grimes, of the Hudson
County Penitentiary, with lack of disci-
pline.
Second. In the case of William Dunn,
who asked the Warden where he snould
go as a keeper, the Warden replied
You ought to go to -.
Third. In furnishing Prisoner Bolend
with implements to make a boat, and in
treating the keepers in an inhuman man
ner by cursing and swearing at them at
different times. "
At eleven o'clock the thirteen members
of the Committee on County Institutions
congregated at the penitentiary and
talked hOrSeracing until Mrs. Grimes in
formed them that dinner was ready. The
committee had tall been there before
many's the time' and they were not slow
in seating themselves at the table.
AFTER DINNER.
When knives and forks were laid down
all the members adjourned to the meet
ing room up stairs. Immediately after the
meeting was called to order Counsellor
Noonan asked permission to represent the
Warden as counsel if there was to be an
investigation
Freeholder McDonough objected
strongly and so did several others.
COUNSEL ADMITTED.
After hot discussion Mr.. Noonan was
admitted, but he was not to be permitted
to say anything.
This was of course, an impossibilitv for
the Counsellor, and during the entire in
yestigation he sat beside the Colonel and
prompted him as to questions he should
ask.
sPARRING FOR AN OPENING.
To obtain q pOStponement of the case,
Freeholder McDonough asked that the
investigation be laid over for week to
enable him to consult counsel He said
that Mr.. Grimes intended TO plead the
Veteran Act, and that he knew nothing
about the law governing this.
This was not allowed, and the question
of an oath was considered, it having al
ready been taken up and dropped.
Chairman Boyle asked nearly every one
present 10 do the required swearing, but
all refused until McDonough exclaimed
Give me the book, I'll swear them"
Director Steger warned him to be care
full, for he would be liable to indictment
if he did. A little thing like an indict-
ment did not worry Mr.. McDonough, and
he administered all the oaths for the COM
mittee.
WHAT NYLEs swoRE TO.
Assistant Deputy Warden james H.
Myles swore that the discipline under
Warden Grimes is very poor, and that
much boisterous and bad language is used.
II have" said he, 'seen tools in the
cells"
II have seen the storekeeper give
prisoners files and chisels and have seen
the Warden do the same thing at different
times, but not since three years ago"
''What other violations of discipline
have you noticed!" asked Freeholder Nc
Donough.
II object to the question:" exclaimed
the Warden before the witness could
complete what he had to say. Ex-Director
Pairson and Director Steger sustained
the objection, but Chairman Boyle ruled
that this answer was to show the lack of
discipline, and allowed him to complete
the answer.
II have seen keepers ana prisoners with
their hats on in the corridors smoking.
This never was permitted when Mr..
Bownes was Warden"
81 have seen, myself, Warden Bownes
there with his hat on" exclaimed Free
holder Kelly, "and you tell an untruth"
when you opened the doors late at
night to let in some of the keepers, We're
they drunk" asked Director Steger.
Yes, sir; and the Warden also. have
seen him and the keepers come in
drunk"
"Did you ever go into the penitentiary
drunkW
II did so once"
When cross examined by Warden
Grimes he admitted that he had been dis
missed by the Board in 1880, but said
that he did not know the reason.
mn u