The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-26

The prison investigation at Saltwater is
as badly ju1nbled up as the Luetgert trial in
Chicago. However, Ii has been shown that
Deputy Warden Lemon deserves to be locked
up in the solitary for a while and a thug
with an ak in hand placed guard over
him.-Menomcne Times.
After ten days rest the prison investi-
cation commission began work again last
Friday ard are still hearing evidence Up
to this time. while considerable evidence
has been aoduced whether true or coored
by personal unfriendliness to him Wa can
not say, as to the harshnes5 of Deputy
Lemon, against whom the Investigation is
mainly directed, yet we have no, seen
word that reflects upon the ability, integrity
kindness of Warden Wolfer.-Benson
Times.
The Minnesota prison investigation thus
far has unraveied nothing. One day we read
of ex -convicts who had undergone the ut
most cruelty and prlYations, and the next
authentic r-Putations OF any cruelty
whatever. The judges are placed in about
the same position DIS Solomon was with the
baby and its two mother claimaGts.-Perham
Bulletin.
under way, 81; Paul police methods might
fttngly come III for a share of the exam
nation.-NorwOCd Times.
1t seems that the guards at the prison
must have Lemon-aid. with ''stick," every
time a prisoner fails to obey orders.-Batt.e
Lake Review.
The pententiary Investigation seems to
prove case Of lots OF smoke and but little
fire. -LaTnbertOn al. -r
The report of the prison investigation COM
mission may not be complete whitewash,
but it Will amount 10 the same thing.-Mc-
Intosh Times.
The defense liz now having its inning in
he iuv fie.ut tOu nd 10 no
things up in a different light. The cruelty
alleged was in most cases where prisoners re-
beled against the rules and were vio.eut,
and brute force was necessary to subdue
them There seems to be d few instances
where this was not the case. just enough to
lend color to the G | o b e charges. but we
doubt II there IS a penal institution in the
country that could make better showing II
subjected to q searching inquiry such as has
been made In this characterization Ga
zette-RepOrter.
The invest CATION OF affairs Of the Saltwater
penitentiary in relation to the abuse OF pris-
oners has not developed anything very seri-
ousiy wrong. II Is evident by a careful read
ing OF the testimony, however, that Deputy
Lemon is a man OF hasty temper. and as such
should not occupy the position he does. Not
a word has been raised as to Warden Wolfer,
but he has made an unfortunate selection in
his deputy.-Heron Lake News.
jan Is 1898 Yesterday Deputy Warden
Lemon was on the stand and explained or de-
MED everything charged to him in a manner
that carried conviction with it. Warden
Wolfer and DR.. Merrill also testified and
gave the commission evidence of importance.
There is little doubt Of the result OF the in
vestigation. Thus far no damaging testimony
has been produced against the warden, the
deputy warden or assistants. When the whole
thing is simmered down 1t is our candid
opinion that it will show that the officials
have not used any more force in the dis
charge Of their duties than was absolutely
necessary We have the strongest faith in
the ability of Warden Wolfer and Deputy
Lemon to discharge their duties in fair and
impartial nanner.-Stillwater Gazette.
The investigation Of the management Of the
state prison at saltwater Is nearing an end.
By next week tho result OF their fnding Will
be announced. While many of the sessions
have been held in secret enough has been
made public TO lead an outsider to believe
the management of the institution is not
what 1T ought to be. 1t has been shown hat
Warden Wolfer has allowed the deputy war
den and his assistants almost entire control.
It has been shown that these men have Vio-
lent ten1pers and totally unfit to have charge
OF criminals While the prison Is not sup
posed to be a place of luxurious ease. 1t IS
not intended to be controlled by incompetent
ofieials. The verdict OF the investigating com
mittee Will be looked for with interest, and
will be accepted as final by the people,
GraceyiIle Enterprise.