The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-24

InerG Is llLtlG QOuDC JQdJ Jle pTlSUIl III
vestigation will result in whitewash. 1t
could scarcely end any other way. from the
difficulty OF getting evidence: But 1t Will
serve a good purpose, nevertheless. 1t VIII
shake UP things around the prison, and forci-
bly, remind those in charge Of that institution
that they are directly responsible to the peO-
pie of the state for the treatment of those in
their charge.-Cloquet Pine Knot.
The state prison scandal is kept hot through
the. state exchanges and Deputy Warden
Lemon must be looking very sour.-Frazer
News.
Though the investigation has barely begun,
it is plainly manifest that with the exception
of the G | o b the Twin City papers are all
arrayed on the side of the warden and his
deputies. and with a zeal that is stronger
than the prejudice of the attorneys they turn
every little circumstance to the greatest pos
stble account in favor OF the authorities.
With the commission, the state authorities
and the press all on the side OF the warden
and his deputies, verdict against them may
not be reached, but the mass of the people
love fair play, and it will be hard if not
impossible to remove strongly settled con-
viction with them of injustice and wrong in
the Observation-Disclosures Review.
The investigation of the management of the
prison at Saltwater will amount to nothing
more than to increase the demand for white
wash.-Wabasha Democrat.
hauled and examined as to charges of cruelty
to prisoners. Other charges are also being
made as to extravaganza on the part Of the
officials. The latter may turn out to be the
best case.-Murray County Independent.
The examination Is just commenced, and
the evidence elected shows that a practice
prevails with the deputy warden and some
guards in striking. hitting with clubs and
kicking prisoners for infractons of the rules
or refractory conduct. All this Is against the
rules, and is a very bad and harmful pro-
cedure. 1t is very offensive to any person
to be kicked and cuffed about by those IN
authority over them, and it tends to arouse
the worst elements of ones nature That
the influence should be worse upon men of
lawless habits, severe tempers and passions
will not be questioned, and hence such things
are a hindrance to reform and should be dis
continued. Then again when an officer is
allowed to give such expression to his feelings
he is likely to form a habit that is con-
stantly being INDUCED and is the provoca-
ton of Observation-Disclosures Review
The st. Paul Dispatch has given Warden
Wolfer. of the state prison, a fine coat of
whitewaah without waiting for the con-
clusion Of the investigation into the brutal
tiles alleged to have formed a part of the
management of the institution. The investi-
cation will probably not amount to much
and the testimony taken thus far reflects upon
the warden's subordinates rather than upon
himself; but the Dispatch places the warden
in anything but creditable position when it
says: eff there have been acts of wantOn
cruelty they have been carefully concealed
from the warden; if there have been breaches
of discipline, it has been without his knowl-
edge, and in spite of his most careful and
painstaking supervision. The duties
of the warden, taking him as they do away
from the prison for extended trips in the in
terest Of the Irvine plant, make 1t compul-
sorry upon him to leave a subordinate in
charge and If there have been any abuses
they have been practiced in the absence of
the warden" Thus, what virtues the warden
possesses are of a negative nature. There
may have been all kinds of cruel acts per-
formed within the walls Of the prison, but
the warden was not to blame, because he
was away attending to the Irvine plant II
the warden is to be hoodwinked in this
shameless manner it strikes US that 1t would
be a pious idea for him to let the subordinate
attend to the Irvine business hereafter while
he remain at the prison and personally
supervise matters The warden is responsible
in measure for the acts of his subordinates
Ignorance Of their acts is not much of an
excuse-Duluth News-Tribune.
The state prison investigating commission
has gone to work Now, then. let them do
their duty without fear or favor.-Waverly
Tribune.
Warden Wolfer. Of the states prison. ought
10 be disciplined on account Of his undue
anxiety to liberate the Youngers II for no 9TH
er reason.-Sleepy Eye Dispatch.