The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-20
MUST PAY THEIR WAY.
Warden Lands Institutes a
Reform at Penitentiary.
Visiting State Boards Cannot
Live at State Expense.
He Informs a Member of the Board o
Pardons That Lansing Hotel Ac-
Communications Are Good

The state board of pardons received
an unexpected set back at the hands of
H. S. Lands, warden of the state peni-
tertiary few days ago, and Mr.. Ian
dis action is such that it deserves
COMMUNICATION.
In the investigation of the numerous
cases filed before the board the mem
bers find it necessary to frequently visit
the penitentiary and interrogate pris-
oners who have applications for par
dOns pending before the governor and
the board.
Whether or not it has been the Gus
tom in years past for the members of
the board to go to Lansing and live at
the penitentiary at the expense of the
state is not a matter OF public record,
but one thing is certain that the pres
ent board viii pay its own expenses as
Mr. Lands has absolutely refused to be
d party to an imposition on the state.
In a conversation a few days ago be-
tween j. V. Randolph, member of the
board and Warden Lands, the former
said:
wei, MT Lands, I presume that
you have good quarters for us over
there. The board will be over in few
days to look up number of cases and
we expect to be there q week.
tOh, yes, the accommodations are
reasonably good. There is a hotel in
the city not far from the penitentiary
where the members of the board may
stop"
Cant we stop at the institution ?"
said Mr.. Randolph.
mo sir. The directors have ordered
me to permit none of the employees or
state officers who come 10 the peniten-
ttary either on a visit or on business, to
live off the state While there. l viii ap-
ply this rule with a great deal of pleas
ure as L think it is right.
I have been informed that in past
years it has been the custom for the
people at the penitentiary to get away
with all that was possible but pro-
pose to run the institution on an eco
nOmical basis and administer. as far as
lies in my power, justice to the state as
well as to myself and the powers which
placed me here.
A story about the state board of par
dOns which has never before been
printed or publicly discussed has just
leaked out to the effect that Governor
Leedy was sOrely disappointed when
the legislature failed TO pass the law
abOliShing the board of pardOnS.
In discussing the subject with a well
known Populist, the latter informed
the Journal reporter that Governor
Leedy said:
There is no necessity for such a
board. The board of directors of the
penitentiary have all the information
concerning the prisoners which is need
ed by the board of pardons and the di-
rectOrs who are closely in touch with
the affairs of the institution and hold
monthly meetings there are better kual-
flied to report on pardon cases than
men who occupy offices in the state
house"
Another fact which the governor him
self has not made public is that he APP
pointed the members of the present
board with the idea that it would be
abolished He fully expected that the
legislature would act and in appointing
the men who now occupy the places. the
governor was paying, for the time be-
ing, political debts, thinking that the
legislature would relieve him of the re-
sponsibility of a continuation of the
functions of the board, but here the
governor was disappointed. The legis-
lature was not in the business of abol-
iShing offices.