Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-11
Mr., KELLY RESIGNS.
Anew Prison Board President
Has to be Chosen
IN A VERY FEW DAYS.
Growth of the Penitentiary in the
Last Fifteen Years.
In A VERY FEW DAYS
CHANCE FOR A GUOD DEMOCRAT

is imperative, it becomes the duty OF the
Allegheny County Bench to appoint sue
cessor.
Although Mr.. Kelly's resignation was
rendered over a month since no action has
been taken, for causes which Hon. E. III.
Stowe, President Judge, states at length. As
Mr.. Kelly has been so long and so honorably
identified with the Prison Board OF River
side Penitentiary the news of his retirement
from the position of President will create
great surprise.
Mr. Kelly was seen at his residence on
Western avenue and informed that the
rumor OF his resignation was public prop
erty. He was visibIy ANNOYED at the mat
ter receiving publicity, but finally consented
to make statement of the reasons which
impelled him to sever his long standing and
arduous relations with prison matters in
Western Pennsylvania,
NIB. KELLY's POSITION.
1.-THE move has been in contemplation by
me for some months, said Mr.. Kelly. 'In
nv letter to Judge Stowe as President of
the County Bench, 1 gave my reasons for re-
signing, somewhat in detail. The position is
one that must be considered very honorable,
and in ceasing to be one of the Prison Board of
the Western Penitentiary. 1 appreciate the
confidence which has been reposed in me, as
shown BY almost continuous service for over Is
years But while my interest in the work has
not diminished, yet account of pressing
private and business affairs. and many matters
of public nature which continually come up.
/ feel compelled to secure respite from such
onerous responsibilities by relinquishing my
duties as President of the Prison Board. Over
work is bound to tell in the end and it is in
some respects a precautionary measure with
me to divest myself OF some of my round of
duties
In choosing a time to withdraw the present
seems opportune. The Prison Board CON-
peteut, and is composed of sagacious
and experienced men, and Warden Wright
is beyond just criticism in his man
agement of the prison. But even with
the future of Riverside assured it is with feel
q ings Of genuine regret that law down a work
which has been sointeresting and has extended
over so long a period of years. In the CON-
munication to Judge Stowe reference was made
to the fact that there has recently been COM
pleted and put into active operation an elaborate
cheek and balance system by which every item
in the subsistence OF the prison, even the
minor disbursements, are accurately Jabulated.
The system is quite complicated, and will
probably receive attention from other prisons.
So far as Riverside is concerned the system
works very smoothly.
AS GOOD AS THE BEST.
"The Prison Board can claim with satisfac-
ton that in external appearance and adapta-
bility to prison uses, Riverside is equal if not
superior, to any penal institution in the United
States. 1t stands to represent much hard work
and anxious thought. and l can frankly say
that 1 feel pride in my humble share in
the erection of a fine prison under
circumstances varying from favorable to
the reverse. The building is architect
urally complete, hut in completing the
south wing further appropriation must be
made by the next Legislature. The money will
be necessary for the plumbing. tagging steam
heating and other details of the interior. Over
81 100000 has been expended, and the work
of the prisoners has saved large sum of
money to the State.
THE problem of employment for prisoners
has been hrSt and last. knotty question, and
has demanded grave consideration of every
prison board upon which have served. 1t has
been practically solved, and nearly all the in
mates are now employed. In the near future
with a 1air chance given. the charge to the
various counties for maintenance of prisoners
will be steadily reduced until eventually the in
stitution can be made self supporting.
"As I have said before it is with great regret
that retire from connection with the prison,
but feel assured that the public will be quite
as well served in the future. have not ap-
pTised my associates upon the board Of my
action as l had hoped 10 see successor ap-
pointed without any publicity
WHY ACTION is DELAYED.
Judge Stowe was seen last evening at his
residence in Edgeworth, On the Fort Waype
Railroad. He had not at hand Mr.. Kelly's let
ter of resignation, but stated that it had been
in his possession over a month. THE Bench
would have acted upon Mr.. Kellys resignation
before this" said His Honor, "but that it is ex-
tremely difficult to get the judges together 1
will. however, call a meeting some time this
week for action upon the letter. l am person.
ally very sorry that the Prison Board is to lose
its head, and so conscientious and capable an
Inspector, in the person of Mr.. Kelly. His
services have been most valuable to the com-
munity, and being an enthusiast. he has de-
voted very large amount of time to the re-
curing problems of prison life. The expert
ence OF Is years has been OF the utmost service
to the institution: especially in the expansion
to its present proportions The terms of his
resignation preclude any possibility of recon-
sideration, so the judges will address them
selves to the task of securing successor"
'Has MI. kelly's successor been determined
upon, Judge?"
f'Oh, no. The judges must meet before
that matter can come up. Mr.. Kelly stated
in his letter that he would serve until re-
lieved."
HAS anyone applied for the position?''
SHOULDN'T SEEK THE PLACE.
His Honor looked grim. mo. No one has
applied. 1t would be a very reliable proof of
unftness for such a position. were anyone to
make an application. We NAV have some
trouble in securing just the proper person."
Mr.. George A. Kelly is the only member now
alive of the Prison Board. which he entered by
appointment of the Supreme Court in 1873
Under the old constitution two inspec-
Court and three by the County Court. Under
the new constitution the Supreme Court
Senate confirming. The members of the first
board Mr.. Kelly served upon were
Messrs. T. H. Nevin, President: Ormsby
Phillips, Robert H Davis. John Dean and
George A. Kelly At Mr.. Nevin's death Mr.
Ormsby Phillips was made President. At Mr.
Phillips decease Mr.. Kelly became President
which be has since been without intermission.
The present board is as follows: James r,
Reed, James McCutcheon, Benjamin Trimble
and John S. Slagle. Mr.. Kelly's resignation
will necessitate an election for president the
forthcoming appointee being simply an In
spector. Messrs. Slagle aud Trimble were ap-
pointed by Governor Beaver
The Western Penitentiary has taken the in
itiative in abOlisbing the solitary system of con-
fnement, it having seoared the passage of a
State law allowing convicts to be congregated
for labor. learning and worship" The East
ern Penitentiary has stuck to the solitary sys-
TEN, but has not Jared well in recent Guberna-
torial messages.
MAY BE DEMOCRAT.
1t is rumored in connection with Mr. KeIly's
retirement that several of the county judges
are debating the expediency of appointing
Democrat to I'LL the vacancy. there being now
no Jacksonian representative upon the board.
There has been no Democrat on the board since
Governor Pattison's appointees served. The
argument advanced in favor of the choice of
Democrat is that there being no emoluments
attached to the position it would be on the
higher plane If partis9nsh:p we're shelyed and
the minority party recognized.
But the thoughtful politician will be ready to
cry wolf on thinking over the political situa-
ton of the future. Should Democrat be an
pointed by the county Judiciary and Deme-
cratic Governor happen to make the rifle.
with two appointments at his command the