St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-08-18
The Discharge of Clerk Ferry
at Saltwater Not Owing
to Religion.
Warden Wolfer Makes a State
ment Giving Reasons
for His Actions.
Senator O'Brien Denies He Is
Connected With the Mat
ter in Any Way.
The Dismissal Was fastened
by the Publication in
Minneapolis Papers.

a sensational article was published
III one OF the Mimi eapolis morning
papers yesterday, stating that Frank
Berry, clerk at the prison. had been re-
moved by reason of his attitude in the
publc-paroehial school question Mr.
Berry was chosen member of the board
OF education at the last meeting. and
personally was against the employment
OF Sisters OF Charity in the public
schools, and so expressed himself when
he took his seat on the board, introduce
ing a resolution that no Sisters Of Char
lily be employed as teachers in the pub
lie schools. He was honest in his con-
vlctions, and acted as he did because he
thought he was doing right. Warden
Nolfer was seen at his Office yesterday
morning by GLOBE reporter, and WAS
Shown copy of the paper containing
an interview with Mr.. Berry. After
reading the article he expressed him
sell as very sorry that this religious
controversy had been mentioned III con-
nectiOn with Mr. berry's dismissal. and
spoke as follows: "There is
No Truth in the Statement.
as made. so far as my knowledge goes.
II Is absolutely false in every particular.
HE real and only cause of Mir. Berry'S
removal is that he has shown himself
very diSagreeabIe, dictatabiP. cranky
and unreasonable. j. 5. O'Brien has
not dictated to me. | did il of
my own free VIII and accord,
and assume all responsibility.
His statement that acknowledged that
he was removed 10y request OF Mr..
O'Brien Is falsehood. | told him my
reasons for discharging him. and also
that assumed all responsibility. He
asked me if his voting as he did with
reference 10 the public parochial school
question was the cause of his removal.
and l told him that his action in that
respect mad no weight whatever. The
school question is one which | know
nothing about. So far as the position is
concerned l have been looking around
TOR his successor. and from recommend
ations from well known parties outside
OF the family | had made up my mind
that Mr.. O'Brien. whom | have ap-
pointed as his successor. was fully
capable of filling the position with
credit to himself and the institution l
had sufficient reasons for discharging
Mr. Berry, ana did It in friendly man
Rer. | did not intend TO carry these
have been attacked IN an ungentlemanly
manner, l deem ii my duty TO state the
facts as they are. | wish you would see
Senator o Brien and ascertain from him
II he endeavored to influence me in any
way. While l ain connected with this
institution as warden propose 10 run
ii As | think II should be regardless OF
what may be SAID"
Senator O.Erfen
was also very much surprised at the
statement made by Mr.. Berry. and con-
scented to the following interview:
u never made request of Mr.. WOlfer
that Mr.. Berry be discharged. He has
been an unsatisfactory man TO Warden
A-olter, and he made uD his mind TO re-
move him two weeks ago. and asked me
what l thought Of it. l told him that if
he was not satisfactory L would remove
him or any other man connected with
the institution. | would nave men that
suited me. regardless of who it inter-
fered with. As to the article in the
Tribune, if they wish TO drag religion
INTO the management of prison affairs l
can have no objection. This is a biguted
idea OF Mr.. Berry's. expressed by him
as soon as he was notified in regard to
his dismissal. and Mr.. Berry can not
say that L ever spoke to him
in regard TO the Catholic school
question or ever asked him to vote one
way or another. 1t had nothing to do
with his removal as far as | was con-
cerned. He would have been removed
whether he was member OF the board
OF education or not. and II Is only an ac-
cdent that he was not removed six
months ago. l say boldly that since |
have been one of the managers there
have been four different wardens, and |
say, defying contradiction, that | have
not asked for the removal of any man
connected with the institution. He be-
Titles the warden and other members of
the board by. for moment. saying that
l would have the power TO remove any
Of his subordinates. Any action of
mine as manager OF the pris-
on. If not already public. is
a public record. and l would cheerfully
consent TO the people of the state hay
ing full access to the prison records in
regard TO appointments or otherwise.
1t only intimates 10 me. in referring TO
this Catholic school question. how much
more serious the question appears to
him and his SymDathIZeTS than ii does
To me-"
There is a large amount of unfinished
work in the prison Office. and Mr..
" VhVl OOHtClupldtcu lStdlIIiHs MI.
Berry until everything was in shape.
but little difficulty arose yesterday
over the interview published in Min
neapolis paper, and he was discharged
forthwith.
Mr. Berry is confident, however, that
his discharge was due 10 his attitude on
the school question. and so expressed
himself yesterday. but ii IS merely
suppoSition. The matter has caused
considerable comment, and was topic
for everybody Yesterday.
saltwater nipples.
The delegates who will attend the
congressional convention in st. Paul TO-
day from this county are: W. q. Bon