The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-05
IN GETTING AT THE FACTS
as TO THE ALLEGED ABUSES All
THE RIG SALTWATER
INSTITUTION.
TESTIMONY TO BEGIN Nov. 10
First Hearing Is to BE Held at the
Prison on the Afternoon OF
That Day.

spoke to the commission appointed by
him to investigate the condition OF
affairs in Saltwater prison, when they
met for their opening session yester-
day mo man could be more anxious
than [ am to have this matter taor-
oughly and fairly inquired into"
The punctuality with which the
members of the commission assembled
yesterday augured well for an inter-
ested study of prison discipline and
methods, especially along the line OF
the governors suggestions. The chimes
had not struck the half-hour when
the members were in their places, and,
as soon as it could be done with due
decorum, Mr.. Harrison, the Minneapo-
lis member, nominated Judge Flandrau
to be chairman of the commission. MIR.
Farmer was agreeable, and voted aye
when Mr.. Harrison put the question.
AS soon as Judge Flandrau had shown
the proper spirit of acceptance, Gov.
Clough addressed himself to the newly
organized body, remarking:
Il have a few words to say to you,
and a few suggestions to make. L ap-
pointed you a commission for the pur-
pose of investigating certain charges
which have been brought to your at
tentiOn and with which you all, no
doubt, are familiar. 1t is for you to
ascertain how substantial these state
ments are. 1t is my desire to have
this matter given the fullest and most
thorough investigation, without regard
to time. L have but one purpose, and
Hi.
case, if it takes all winter No man
could be more anxious than [ am to
have these matters investigated. In
my judgment, the commission should
sit at the prison at Saltwater. You
will have the use Of the commOdious
rooms of the board of managers, which
are warm and comfortable. and very
convenient, as L suppose d large pOr-
ton of the testimony which you will
be called upon to get will be from in
mates or employees of that institution.
Further than this I have little to say.
If, as has been suggested might be
possible, the power of the governor to
appoint such a commission is ques-
toned, although [ do not doubt l have
that power, you viii report that fact to
me and [ can then appoint member
of the state board of corrections and
charities to m@2t with you, in which
case there will be no doubt of the pow
eli of the commission to summon wit
nesses, administer oaths and enforce
the attendance of witnesses"
Judge Flandrau at this point supple
n2ented his own belief that the COM
mission was properly constituted by
reading the following opinion from
Attorney General Childs.
Hon. Charles q. Flandrau, st. Paul, Mimi.
Iloor
view that the governor under the provision
of the constitution that he shall take care
that, the laws be faithfully executed, has
ample authority to create a committee to
investigate into charges of official miscon-
duct. Such certainly was believed to be his
power prior to the passage of the law pro-
Viding fer the board of corrections and char
tiles, and do not understand that he is
now required to invoke the aid OF that board
in prosecuting such investigation. II he
should be disposed to do so, it would be tho
duty of the board. of course, to comply with
such demand. As l view it, however it is
optional with him what course shall be pur-
sued in such a matter. He may, in his dis
erection, employ the board committee
thereof for such purpose
In view of the character of the institution,
and the nature of the charges preferred the
governor has deemed it wise to select a
committee otherwise than that prescribed
in the statute. which l think he had per-
feet right to do. L am very truly yours,
Attorney General.
Gov Clough introduced to the board
James S. O'Brien, of Saltwater, the
president of the board of prison man
ayers, who stated that he wished, in
behalf of the board, to state that no
obstacle would be thrown in the way
of the investigation by that body, but
that on the other hand, the board
would assist in every way in its power.
Chairman Flandrau said he had re-
ceived similar assurance from NJ. o.
Hall, another member of the board.
Gov. Clough closed his communica-
applications for the position of ste
nogra pher, and Judge Flandrau had
some other applications, the candi-
dates being Mabey & Hitchcock.
George & West, G. w. Purple r. j.
Smith and Miss Agnes Reilly. In this
connection he suggested that while the
investigation be made thorough, it
should also be made as economically
as possible, consistent with such thor
oughness. Judge FIandrau will COM
municate with the various applicants
for the position of stenographer, and
the Twin City members will meet in
a few days to choose between them.
The commission then discussed ways
and means OF notifying witnesses and
it was decided to have the chairman
prepare a notice to all who had in
formation bearing on the charges to
appear before the commission which
would meet on q certain date named.
Judge Flandrau-The Globe is the
chief accuser, is it not?
Gov. Clough-I so understand it.
Mr. Harrison asked what course the
commission intended to pursue as to
the taking of testimony. He himself
was opposed to the receipt Of any eX-
p2rte atiidaVitS.
Judge Flandrau said he had talked
with Mr.. Pyle, of the G. 10 e, who
had stated to him that while going
East in a few days, the investigation
need not wait upon his return, Mr.
FenWick, the city, editor, having full
information as to the whereabouts of
the witnesses.
Mr.. Harrison also wanted to know
whether it was intended that the COM
mission should so back of the inves-
tigation of 1891.
Judge J. G. NethaWay, of Saltwater,
who was present as counsel for Deputy
Warden Lemon, explained to the com,
mission the circumstances under
which those Investigations were prose-
cuted, and stated that if it was in
tended to inquire, he might have to
ask the board to use the testimony
then given by some of the witnesses
who had since died.
Gov Clough suggested that the COM
mission determine the extent to which
it would go back after it had started,
when it might be better able to judge.
1t would be better, he thought, to start
as if there had never been any inves-
LEGATION.
It was finally decided that Judge
Flandrau should draw up the notice.
and have it published in the Globe,
Pioneer Press and Dispatch. of ST.
Paul; the Journal, Tribune and Times,
of MINNEAPOLIS. and the Gazette, Of