Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-06-11


Something About the Management of
the Iastitution.
WASHINGTON. d. c., June 6.
70 ths Editor OF tie Rsgias-:
SR$r0n May 31st, an article ap-
peared in tAe Wheeling Intelligence,
entitled Hell on Earth" This article
alleges that the State Prison of West
Virginia is inCompetently and cruelty
conducted, and 10 prove this assertion,
the IptelJigeRccr claims TO give the tes-
timOny Of two eX-convictS-Pine and
Holmes. The HltelIigHcer'S action 10 this
instance is in the line Of its conduct gem
orally, rs usually In assault or defense
this organ draws upon its malice for
material and its imagination for facts.
In justice 70 superintendent NanPelt
1 will say that / was Captain Of the
Guard at the West Virginia Peniten-
tiary for fourteen months, In 1850 aud
1890. Besides being Captain OF the
Guard, when the Superintendent
was absent, / acted 10 his
place, held police courts, had
general management Of the entire pris-
on and uperIntended sick call every
morning. know Frank Bush, named
by the Intelligence, and who was an in
mate OF the Penitentiary during my
term OF office He was then one Of the
most dangerous, unreliable and mallci-
Gus men In the Institution. On one oc-
caSiOn be was arraigned before the
Police Court for trying 60 cut out Of his
cell, and when confronted by Superin-
tendent Van Pelt, before this Court,
Bush drew a knife from his sleeve aud
attempted TO cut the Superintendeut's
throat. Van Pe.t threw up his arm TO
ward Of the stab aud the knife was
brOKeA by becoming entanRled in the
sleeve Of heavy coat With the broken
knife Bush made two other efforts 20
stab Van PelJ and only desisted from
his fierce effort 70 murder him when be
saw that ! had secured a large clue.
Eos this OffsuSe Bush was indicted be-
fore the Grand Jury Of Marshal county
and sentenced TO three years longer in
State PenitenJiarY.
AS TO the TutCliiGCNcCr'S witness, Van
Baker, l will state that be was looked
upon as being a dangerous man. PhySi-
cally he was not strong, but be was
possessed OF intelligence, and was Of a
cOnSpiring, cunning, and mutinOus ma
ture. The brutality of the double MUIR
der be committed, and the cunning he
displayed in cOncealing the crime, show
ed the character of the man. So much
for two of the MtCUigCuCCr'S witnesses.
Neither is entitled TO credit, and the
auimus OF the Hgtc'ligCUCCr is clearly
shown when Ia d.StOrts and parades
statements made by these COnviCtS TO
injure the reputation and character OF
an honest, efficient and deserving public
officer
Let me remind the IptclligCgcer that
n Information is wanted regarding
the prison, and the way 10 is con-
Quoted, the proper channel to fol-
low would be 20 bring any
charges against the management
OF the institution to the attention Of
the Legislative Committee, which visits
aud examines the workings Of the insti-
tuition, or the Board OF Directors. This
Committee and the Directors are com
posed of men Of both political parties,
have given especial attention TO the
sanitary regulations, methods OF discl-
pliue employed by officials and the cult
nary department. Their reports made
since Van Pelt has been uperintendsnt
have been deServedly complimentary 70
his administration OF affairs. / will
also say that the medical department
under the supervision Of Doctor
Bruce, gentleman who stands
we'll in his profession, was
! properly conducted VIII was
Ghe-C. 7 have often thought that Dr..
Bruce, because Of his great kindness OF
heart was frequently imposed upon by
convicts. He invariably gave the con-
Victs the benefit of all doubt, and a
majority OF the inmates of the Peniten-
tiary liked him.
When at the Penitentiary, I noticed
that the guards then under me, were OF
good average Intelligence, fair practical
education, and OF respectable families,
and many OF them, / have thought,
capable OF filling higher positions Now
the mlCIigCUCCr tells Us that when IN,
usually intelligent men, with no per
sonal grievances, agree in certain state
ments after observation for several
years, it must be considered that there
Is some foundation for the story"
ask the TptClli1CucCr who are THESE IN
usually lnLGlllgtul men, Win uO per
sonal grievances? Are the ex-
convicts and criminals whose tes-
timony is already quote d such
persons? The IntCUigCUCCr might be
more specific ia its efforts 10 bring
charges destinations are easier made
than proven 10 be true. And this Is
but fragment of the Sickening story,
says the Intelligence. Like a garrul-
Gus old woman the IBtINg0CCr pre-
tends 10 have held something back and
insinuated that more might be said on
this subject. Ii would be more decent
for the IHtclIiqcRcCr TO have the fair
ness and courage % make charges 90
its own responsibility, and not make In
situations based on the testimony Of eG'
convicts. Mr. Van Peit is humane
and an honorable gentleman Of high
character and OF excellent capacity,
and executive ability. His manage
ment of the Denitentiary has been sue
cesstu and without criticism, and be
will not be injured by trumped up stor
les OF criminal, whose maliCiOuSneSS
may find expression IN partisan news
papers. JOHN II. VAN buren,