The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-05-03
THE COMMITTEE ROASTED.
Chairman OF the Prison Committee
Expresses His Views.

The regular quarterly meeting Of the
state board OF charities was held Tues
day. Secretary Johnson made e lengthy
report OF the condition OF the Institutions
visited by him throughout the state.
clipping from the Fort Wayne Times
OF the 24th was read. Itrefsrred in scath-
ing terms to the rottenness and corrup-
ton in the management Of the home for
feeble-minded children, saying that the
trustees had known for a year past of the
nG-doing OF "hypocritical Bishop
Blake" Some interesting aud sensational
developments were promised in the near
future. The contents OF this article were
discussed at some length, but Just what
action, If any. the board took upon il is
not knOEn. An investigation will proba-
bly, be made before anything is made
public.
The committee on prisons submitted
the following report, which was adopted:
To the Board of State Charities:
At my suggestion Secretary johnson and I
spent q week, from The 18th of last month to
the lS;h OF tue same. In visiting and carefully
inspecting our state prisons and TefOTIaatories.
We also spent enc day on our return at the
northern hospital for the insane, as We could
The secretary report will probably give in
detail an account OF cur observations, OF our
interviews with officers and inmates. and our
suggestions and advice. / deem it proper. how
ever, as chairman Of Jour committee on prisons.
20 refer 10 the sO-caled investigation By the
committees of the late legislature of certain
charges preferred against the warden and di-
TectoTs OF the southern prison.
The unfair methods % that investigation and
the character of the SHORTY and majority re-
81,
will continue 10 occur in institutions under
partisan control; and the honest witness. who
is guarded in his statements of facts. and eau
tiOus in expressing opinions, and impartial be-
tween the contending parties is sure TO be mis-
represented by one party, and sometimes By
both.
As the prosecution and defense-for il was
not properly an investigation-proceeded
carefully read the reports and editorials in four
newspapers, and when the proceedings stopped
they were not fnished-I reread the test.
mOny given in the papers.
As the report IN one paper severely reflected
upon our geeretaTys testimony, and charged
him with being the guest OF the wsrden's family.
and with identifying himself with the defense
OF the warden and prison management, pro-
cured the sworn stenographer's typewriter
copy of Secretary JOhnson's testimony. both d.
rect and upon cT0ss-examinstion, and read ia
with great care; and desire TO say that the
secretary's statements l believe are true, and
my own.
Upon investigating the other charges found
the secretary slept during the investigation in
the house belonging 20 the state, q part of
which is occupied by the warden and his fami-
ly. and that he took has meals, not as q guest
OF the wRrGen's family, but the guest of the
state boarding house, and st the same table
with members OF this committee Of both par
ties, hence no censure can attach to him on
tins account.
In conclusion permit me TO state that one
fact was elected by the investigation above al
luded TO that gives a strong additional argu.
ment against the contact system OF labor thai
prevails in our prlsOns-this was that a large
number of the cases OF pUnishment were in
tlcted at the instance or upon the complaint
of the foremen aud superintendents, who are
employees of the contractors aud not officers Of
the prison. TIMOTHY NICHOLSON,
Chairman of Committee on Prisons Of Board
of state Charities.
Richmond. Ind.. April q. 1898.
1t was agreed that the whole board
should act as delegates to the national
conference OF charities TO be held in Chi
cagO juno S to IL. Heretofore only one
or two members of the board have been
delegated, but the conference is so near
this year that it was deemed eXpedient
for all the board to go.
It was decided to subscribe for fifty
copies OF the proceedings of the national
conference at Denver last year and fifty
copies of the one to be held in Chicago.
This Was done on account of the many
applications to the board for these pro-
csedings from colleges and libraries, as
well as individuals throughout tho state.