The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-06-07
On PRISON POLITICS.
How the States Business is Ham
pered by Partisans.
IT WAS FORMERLY 4 MODEL.

3aBJor Hopkins the Ideal Warden OF
the RenitentTary for Fourteen Years.
In connection with the political strug
gle for Office generally and the appoint
ment of the new warden in particular a
gentleman, we'll versed in the affairs at
Lansing said to JOURNAL reporter:
"The penitentiary appointments made
by Governor Morrill, clearly indicate that
instead of omprehending the magnitude
and Importance of that institution he
considers it merely an asylum for those
who will contribute TO maintain the polit-
ical standing of himself and Cy Leland.
''In 1888 when Major Henry Hopkins
retired from the wardenship which he
had held for fourteen years, the Kansas
state prison was classed among the very
few model penal institutions of the civ
jlized world, surpassed by none and
equalled only by the Illinois penitentiary
at Joliet Under ajor Hopkins, who
devoted the best years of his life, to its
upbuilding, the penitentiary was kept
aloof from politics and though OF course
a political pull was sometimes necessary
to secure position, nothing but ability
| and strict attention to duty would suffice
to retain it. No political arguments were
permitted among the officers but they
|
pleased and when one voted other than
the Republican ticket it excited no com
ment.
| "Under such a regime the system and
discipline was constantly improving,
reaching the highest point it has ever at
tanned in the spring Of 1888, when Major
Hopkins was elected railroad commits
sioner, mainly through the efforts of then
Governor Click, who wanted to appoint
-r3av- Of l. foi Int
| knew that any attempt to GUST Hopkins
would be condemned by men cf all par
ties throughout the state.
"The desire of Hopkins to be relieved
from the tremendous responsibility of the
| prison, which was wearing out his life,
coupled with his ambition to be one of
| the board of railroad commissioners, cre-
ated by the act of 1888, gave Governor
Click his opportunity, and aided by other
members of the executive council he sue
ceeded in electing Major Hopkins to the
of lola was appointed warden fol
the unexpired term and. realizing
what he had undertaken, the new off
cial made but few changes for political
reasons and none or the thoroughly com
petent officers were molssted. 1t was
impossible, however, for Col. Jones tc
maintain the Institution at the high
! STANDARD IL n2Q Qa1n6Q unuer MS pr0Q0-
cessor as the state administration claimed
too much of his time for political pur-
poses, but no serious retrogression &C
CURED.
when John A. Martin was elected
governor he selected the late Capt. Johr
H. Smith to take charge of the peniten
tiary. Capt Smith appointed an Office
of five years experience under Major
Hopkins as his deputy an(
turned the discipline Of the prison owe
to him, holding him to rigid account
bility. This deputy warden WAS and i
a maa thoroughly qualified for the posi-
ton, and nnder his control the disciplin,
of the prison was greatly improved. H
held the place under two wardens anc
until Chase assumed control May 1
1898; making national reputa
ton among prison men as
prison officer and disciplinarian. Chas
departed from the safe rule which had
guided his predecessors and immedi
ately proceeded to discharge all Repub
lican officers, regardless of their exper
fence or qualifications, until he hat
hardly a competent officer remaining
Under such management the instiru
ton could but retrogr&de very rapid,
as is shown by the testimony taken By
the investigating committee.
"For the last two months, however, tn