The Saint Paul globe., 1897-10-24

state prison. IN yesterday " l o t
seemed to many, who could not re-
alize that anything in that line could
be permitted in institutions supposed
ly run on humanitarian plans, the
charges were nevertheless the talk of
the cities yesterday.
The upshot Of the interviews which
the G l o e presented to public notice
for the first time yesterday will I'M
doubtedly be an investigation Of the
whole system Of discipline at the pris-
on. Two of the members Of the state
board of corrections and charities,
Prof. w. w. FoIwelI and Conde Ham
lin, when interviewed by the G o b e
yesterday, expressed themselves as in
favor of an inquiry into the truth of
the charges, not only for the informa-
ton of the people of the state, but to
establish either the guilt or innocence
Of the officers accused. Warden
Wolfer has expressed himself as de-
sirous of full investigation.
The only course to pursue" said a
member of one of the state board yes
terday, 'ft seems to me, is to institute
a thorough inquiry. l would have it
made either by the board of correc-
tions and charities or some unpreju-
diced commission to be appointed by
the governor. This, [ believe, will be
the only way to get at all the facts.
While the witness whose statement
appeared in the G 0 be, would, no
doubt, be willing to appear before the
board of prison managers or any other
tribunal of investigation, and relate
what they know, L think it would be
embarrassing to ask those who are
new employed in the prison, either as
guards or as convicts, to testify freely
and without fear of consequence. 1t
will be difficult enough to get them to
commit themselves, perhaps, before an
outside board, but if they were as
slred by those in authority, the full
est protection, they would probably do
so. If the charges are true, they are
a disgrace to the state; if they are not
true the state, and most of all the ac-
cused men, should know the fac S.
In Saltwater the excitement over
the publication was intense. The
Saltwater Times last evening editor
tally endorsed the G o b e S publica-
ton. and comment on the street was
divided, but all on one topic, if not
united on one side Of it.
PROF. FOLWELL SHOCKED.
"If Mr.. Lemon is guilty of the
charges published in the Globe, he
is unfit for the position he holds
That is the opinion expressed by
Prof. w. w. Folwell an honored mem
Der of the faculty of the state univer-
sity and member of the state board
of corrections and charities, in con-
versation with a G o b e reporter, in
Minneapolis yesterday. MI. Folwell
was shocked and deeply grieved to hear
of the grave charges made against
one of the state institutions, and was
visibly affected by the intelligence. He
admitted that undoubtedly the board
had not spent the time at the prison
and familiarized themselves with its
operations that they should have done,
and said that he had long been con-
templating a visit to the penitentiary,
to spend several days there. Continu-
ing, he said:
"If the charges are true, the state
is under obligations to the G l o b e for
bringing them to light [ am acquaint-
ed with your editor, and know him
to be a very conservative man, but l
the news l have met Mr.. Lemon sew
eral times and believed him to be a
conscientious officer.
But the point is right here: Neither
| Mr.. Lemon nor any other officer of
| that prison has any right to strike q
! convict, except in self-defense, when
assaulted by one The consequences
| of a blow inflicted might be so seri-
! Gus that the matter could not be
! passed over. I cannot condemn such a
practice too strongly. But [ trust that
! the matter will not prove so serious
as the reports indicate.
Il am certainly of the opinion that
the matter should be investigated
thoroughly and sifted to the bottom
either in justice to Mr.. Lemon or to
| the state of Minnesota. The governor
is authorized by law to direct such an
| investigation, and I do not know but
what it is the duty of the board OF
| corrections and charities to make one
in any event. We are supposed tc
| have full knowledge of the workings
| Of those state institutions"
MR.. HAMLIN's IDEA.
Conde Hamlin, the resident member
of the state board of charities and cor
rections, when asked last night in re-
| gard to the disclosures of alleged
| brutality in the Saltwater prison, said
LAS 1 know nothing about the facts
in the case further than they appear
in the complaint filed by the G 20 e
it would be manifestly unfair for me tC
express an opinion further than to say
that if it appears, upon due investiga-
ton, that discipline has been enforced
by improper means or that the au-
| thority reposed in any official has beer
| abused, punishment should be prompt.
ly visited upon the offending party
do not doubt that the charges made
| will be investigated and that abuses
such as alleged and which are fragrant
| if they are true, will not be re.
| peated In the meanwhile it is vel
| to remember that every man is con
sidered innocent until he is proved
| guilty and to suspend judgment for the
| present. In common with all citizens
L believe that discipline in any cor
| rectional or charitable institution
should be secured by the most human,