The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-09-28
Nine Hundred ConVlcts Send In
Sealed Testimony.
SOME DECLINE THE OPPORTUNITY
The Letters to Be sorted and Opened at
Albany-The Chief Clerk, an Ex-Con-
vict, Appears Before the Com mittee-
Efforts b. Newspaper to Investigate.

ELMmA, N. VI, Sep. 28.--The Elmira
Reformatory Investigating Committee met
at the institution at Q q. m Nothing has
rs yet been heard from Mr.. Ltchfeld, the
third member Of the committee.
DIR. May will alone conduct the examin-
alton Of witnesses on both sides, and will
receive suggestions as to a line OF question
ing on either side.
OF the !, 400 envelopes and sheets Of pa
per distributed among the prisoners by
which they were to make known to the
committee any complaints they have
against the institution, about 900 were
returned sealed, and they were turned over
to the chairman, who will take them to
Albany for sorting.
Oscar Hoppe, chief clerk of the reform.
atory, was called and sworn. He sub
mitted the records of the institution, in
Guiding the record of the work and de-
meanor OF each convict, and showed the
punishments doled out to each convict.
They were put In evidence.
This book shows the number of spank
ings given to each convict and the number
OF blows inflicted at each paddling-the
latter being designated on the records from
"A to L." according to the number of
blows dealt between one and twelve. Mr..
Hoppe testified:
Usually the highest number of blows
struck with the paddle il twelve. Some
times twenty -four blows are struck which
is indicated on the conduct book ELL"
No other method of corporal punishment
is used" He thought all cases of padding
were entered.
There is nothing on the hospital or con-
duet books TO show that the physicians
have made examinations to ascertain the
result to convicts who have been padded.
He had never known injury to result from
padding.
The witness said he was once a convict
here but since his release has worked In
the institution. He then described pun.
ishment cells saying there were no solitary
cells.
He testified that he has made transcripts
from the records, showing the treatment
and punishrnents OF those whose names
are mentioned in the charges made against
Superintendent Brockway. He promised
TO give the committee copy Of such
transcripts so that they can take them to
Albany and compare them with the
charges preferred during the coming re-
cess. He said that the original reports on
punishments were made out by Superin-
tendent Brockway, and from those trans
ferred into the record book by himself.
Mr. White, from New York newspaper
then, through Judge Gilbert, asked per-
mission to examine the records of the in
stitution to obtain more information re-
garding the administration of affairs and
punishments. Acting Superintendent
Rsthbone and Mr. Stauchfsld objected
Mr.. White, through Judge Gilbert, said
it was not the intention to conduct the in
vestigation alone on the charges preferred,
as the investigation embraced the entire
administration Of tho institution. Judge
Gilbert said that he stood here acting for
both Sides On the one hand he found the
managers with full access to the records OF
the institution, on the other the complain
ants who wished to examine the records
with the view OF verifying their charges to
ascertain what other abuses existed, and
also to enable them to prepare for their
witnesses. He thought they should be al
lowed to do so.