The Saint Paul globe., 1897-10-26
Mako TT EXHAUSTIVE.

AS a result of the publication in the
Globe Of astounding statements by
eve witnesses of cruelty and inhuman
brutality in the administration of the
state prison at Saltwater, it is already
assured that an investigation Will take
place. We ask that this investigation
be made sweeping and complete. This
is no case for halfway measures, nor
for whitewashing. What is to be the
reliance of the defense in this case has
already been disclosed. We are not
surprised to see their local organ,
which has applauded the clubbing of
inoffensive citizens by brutal police
men, look with equal satisfaction upon
the pounding of convicts in the state
prison. Indeed, if everything asserted
of the administration at Saltwater be
true. it is no more calculated to stir
indignation in every human breast
than the acts of the police
department of st. Paul. They
are on a par, and they find at
least one newspaper apologist for the
same reason. To it all is sacred and
holy that may be done in the name Of
party politics. There is no outrage too
causeless or too f1endish to command
either it's approval or silence, if the in
spiration behind it be Republican. 1t
regards a murder committed by a Re
publican with more liberation than a
are not surprised, therefore, to have it
meet sworn charges by eye witnesses
with the explanation that the animus
of them is political" and we are
glad that it has done so, because it
discovers the line of defense to be
adopted. The men who are charged
with msdemeanors are to rely upon
party support for their eXoneration. 1t
is to be claimed that it would be in
f1nftely better to cover up and dtsre-
gard breaches of duty, violations of the
law and outra ges upon humanity, rath-
er than to reflect upon officials who are
claimed as parts of the Republican or
ganization.
The Clio b does not need to say
that in this matter, as in all others
that affect the public welfare from the
large and human point of view, it
knows no party and cares nothing for
politics. When a Democrat shall have
been installed in the st. Paul city hall,
as he will be next June, the G l O b
will say and do just what it has said
and done, if police officers should
make a pastime of beating peaceable
citizens while confidence men and bur
glars take possession of the town. We
cannot find any politics in breaking a
cane over helpless mems heads, in
filling either graves or cells of insane
asylums, in torturing human beings by
a punishment far worse than the pill
lory or the stocks The difference be-
tween Democrat and Republican does
not suggest itself to us when an en-
ploye of the state violates law of the
state that forbids him to strike a pris-
oner except in self-defense. Neither for
the men who do these things, nor for
In6 men WIZ, DSIlIS III dulIiOIIly over
them, permit them to be done, have we
a word of condonation. The Clio b e
has but this one word to say in an
swer to the charges that there is poll
tics behind this matter, and that is
that word was conveyed to it some time
ago. when this investigation was
known to be on foot, that it ought to
go light on Deputy Warden Lemon,
because he is staunch Democrat. To
the discontinue and shame Of the
Pioneer Press be it stated, if capacity
for shame still exists in that quarter,
that the official upon whom falls the
brunt of these charges is reported to
be lifelong Democrat
We care not what his politics, nor
what those of Warden Wolfer, nor