The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-04-26
STATE BOARD OF CHARITIES.
Mr.. Nicholson's Valuable Observations on the
Prison South Investigation.

The State Board of Charities held its
quarterly meeting yesterday, with most of
the members present. Governor Matthews
announced the resignation of Mrs. Fair
banks, who is in California for the benefit
of her heslth. He said he had not decided
whom he would appoint to succeed her.
Resolutions were adopted. expressing re-
greet that Mrs. Fairbanks was compelled to
resign. Secretary Johnson made a detailed
report OF his Visit to the State institutions.
The substance of this has been made pub
lie from time to time heretofore. The at
tention of the board was called to o threat
in Fort Wayne paper to make startling
disclosures concerning the School for Fee
ble-minded in its next issue. 1t was not
announced what action was taken.
The board received q report from limo
thy Nicholson, chairman of the committee
on prisons. concerning the recent legis-
lative investigation OF the Prison South,
in the course of W hich he said.
deem it proper. however. as chairman of
your committee on prisons, 10 refer to the so
called Investigation by the committees OF the
late Legislature. OF certain charges preferred
against the warden and directors OF the southern
prison.
The unfair methods of that Investigation, and
the character of the majority and minority re.
ports. are such as have usually occurred, and as
will continue TO occur in institutions under par
tisan control: and the honest witness. who is
guarded in his statements of facts, and cautious
II CAIiCcciuE PiuAoh uhu AAhattidl otNtcu
the contendfng parties. Is sure TO be misrepre-
sented and abused by one party, and sometimes
by both.
AS the prosecution and defense, for it was not
properly an Investigation. proceeded, I care-
fully read the reports and editorials in four
newspapers, and when the proceedings stopped,
they were not finished. l reread the testimony
as given In the papers.
5 the report in one paper severely reflected
1pon our secretary's testimony, and charged
him with being the guest of the warden's family.
and with identifying himself with the defense OF
the warden and prison management. l procured
the sworn stenographer's typewriter copy or
Secretary Johnson's testimony, both direct and
upon cross-examination. and read it with great
care, and I desire TO say that the secretary's
statements | believe are true, and his opinions
as therein expressed agree with my own.
Upon investigating the other charges. I found,
the secretary slept during the investigation in
the house. belonging To the State. a part OF which
is occupied by the warden and his family; and
that he took his meals, not as a guest of the
warden's family, but as the guest of the State
boarding house. and at the same table with
members of the committee. OF both parties,
hence no censure can attach to him on this ac-
count.
In conclusion permit me to state that one fact
was elected by the investigation above alluded
to, that gives "A strongi additional argument,
against the contract system OF labor that pre-
walls I'm our prisons this was that a large num-
Der of the cases OF punishment were inflicted az
the instance. or upon the complaint OF the fore.
men and superintendent. who are employees OF
the contractors-and not officers OF the prison.