St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-03-09
WHIPPING PRISONERS.

The RefoTmatOry Investigating
Committees Report Gab.ed.
The first sensation of the day ensued
over the report of the committee that
had been delegated to investigate the
alleged custom in vogue of whipping in
cOrrigible prisoners. The committee
cOndOned the practice upon the theory
that it is necessary to preserve order
and discipline. Senator DOanelly
fought the report with aSperity, and
pronounced it one Of the most astOund-
ing documents that could be presented
to the legislature. He branded whip
ping as brutal. and he was aStOniShed at
..e character of the report. lie did not
believe it possible TO reform young men
when whipping is employed as form
of punishment.
Il believe that every time a man is
whipped he becomes SO much less a
man. There are other forms of punish
ment that are just as severe and that
are not SO brutal"
Senator McIIale replied at length,
describing the methods of intlIcting the
punishment that had provoked the in
veSligatiOn A common strap is used,
but only as last resort. There are
young men there who are turbulent, Oh
durate and who hold in utter contempt
all rules and order. The committee Of
investigation had beeu shown that
confinement i'll dungeon on
bread and water for as many
as l46 hours was without effect
and four to six blows with the strap
have never failed to produce the de-
sired results. Senator McHale explained
that the committee had gone TO the re-
fOrmatOry with the very views that are
entertained by Senator DOnnelly, but
the investigation had partially removed
that feeling. The committee had con-
clud. d that the best interests, order and
discipline of the refOrmatOry are neceS
Sary. for the reason that no other meth
cd of punishment is efficaciouS. Sena-
tor Crate emphasized the Importance of
maintaining discipline and obedience.
and he upon this hypothesis excused the
course of the superintendent of the re-
tornatory.
Senator DOnnelly urged that salts
factory confinement alone should be
used in tine extreme cases that the COM
mittee had cited. He made a spirited
speech,in which he cited that whipping
is contrary to the constitution of the
state. He promised to present resolu-
ton at the time the reformatory bill is
under consideration. Senator McHale
moved to adopt the report, and Senator
Craven moved to amend by laying the
report OH the table. lie took the posi-
ton occupied by the senator from Da-
koia. and ne hoped the senate would
not go OIL record indorSing the whipping
system. The amendment prevailed,
Senator Davis bill relating TO the lin
itatiOn of actions to recover property
was passed. 80 to u.
Senator Leavitt offered an amendment
to Senator Keller'S bill relating to the
management and fixing the salaries of
the officers or employees of the state re-
fOrmatOry, cutting the salary of the
superintendent TO 81, 800 and to leave his
assistant at 81, 900 year, as at present.
The bill went to the committee of the
whole on general orders.
Section in the bill fOrthe rejection.
propagation and preservation of fish and
game proved a snag in the committee of
the whole. 1t will be recalled that all
Tuesday afternoon was consumed in
considering this bill section by section.
and Senator Hompe moved to rescind
tue action TO SO consider the bill. but ne
was ruled out of order by Chairman
Tawney. Senator Day moved to recon-
mend the passage of the bill, and this
prevailed. The committee then arose
and Senator Keller moved to amend the
report so that no man shall be eligible
for employment under the provisions of
the act unless he shall have served at