The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-02
IT NEEDS HIRING
A LITTLE HOUSECLEANING WILL
NOT Do THE PRISON ANY
HARM.
EVEN ITS FRIENDS SAY so.
globes EXPOSURES WILL BE OF
BENEFIT TO THE INSTI-
TUITION.
COMMENT OF THE STATE PRESS
All Favorable to n Thorough In
quiry by the Commission
Appointed.

Appointed.
At least one good will result from
the exposure of the condition OF affairs
at the prison, independent of the ques-
ton of the truth of the charges brought
against certain officers. The publica-
lions of the q 10 b have stirred up
interest in the institution among the
editors of the state, which will not
flag until it is certain that no more
crooked work is going on within those
stone walls. 1t is a common comment
in the state press that it is time there
was little house cleaning at Still
water under any circumstances. Here
are the latest opinions:
The G o has taken 1t upon its hands
to do a little housekeeping at the state
prison. Whether the charges made against
the institution are true or not, an occasion
al airing is one of the best things for any
state institution. These snapshot Junket-
ing investigations are OF but little account
and would be about as well If they were
discarded entirely. When an Investigation is
made it should be made for the interest
of the state and not in the interest OF the Of
ficials who are in charge as Is quite ire
quently the case.-Plainview News.
The Globe, Saturday published
lengthy article in which it exposes in very
lucid and exhaustive manner the cruel ana
inhuman way in which convicts in our state
prison are being treated by Deputy WARDEN
Lemon and some of his pet subordinates. 10
substantiate the charges made IN the
G o b e. stacks Of testimony have been re-
ceiyed and scores of eX-convlcts ana eH,
guards of the prison anxious TO tell
all they know of the brutal treatment they
have witnessed some of the helpless prisoners
undergo at the hands of Lemon ana ms men
to any authorized committee for that pur-
pose. The result of the expose Will De an
official investigation by committee appoint,
ed BY the governor, but it is decidedly hara
to think that a man who emphatlcally as
serts his disbelief of the statements Will
select fair-minded or impartial committee
to make the proper vestigation.-Shakopee
Tribune.
The st. Paul G o b e made some very ser
ious charges against the management OF the
Minnesota state prison a few days ago, Wnlcn,
if true ought to retire Warden Wolfer and
send the deputy warden up for term or
years 1t is quite likely however, that the
charges are more the result of malice than
anything else But be this as it may
thorough investigation should be made
Madison Press.
The St. Paul G | o has made very serious
charges against some of the officials Of the
saltwater prison, which should lead to an
investigation of the treatment of the prison
in the accusations. but in any event
thorough knowledge of the exact condition
of affairs would set all doubts at rest.-Lake
City Republican.
Some grave charges have been made in
reference to the management of the State
whether the charges come from a Demo-
cratic or Populist or Republican paper, they
should be thoroughly investigated, and if
found true the guilty ones should be punish
ed and, if found untrue, the parties making
the charges should be punished for libel
Mortified News.
Every party interested and disinterested,
declares that a searching impartial investi-
cation be made at once. Whatever these
guards have witnessed or claim to have wit
messed it is their sacred duty to corroborate
with their oaths, and no star chamber investi-
cations will be tolerated. Gov. Cloush is
with impartiality and has designated Judge
Charles Flandrau, Of St. Paul. Attorney
Stanley R. Kitchel, of Minneapolis, and B.
F. Farmer, Of Spring Valley, Fillmore coun-
ty, a committee of igaton.-Stillwater
Messenger.
II the half of what the G O b says is
true, Warden Wolfer should be dismissed
at least and the rest of the staff transferred
behind the bars. Turn on the light. 1t can
at least do no harm. Abuses are apt to grow
into existence in places of this kind, If they
are not occasionally thrown open to the in
spectiOn of the public.-Cloquet Pine Knot.
Recent charges against the management
of the state prison. to the effect that certain
subordinate officials have been cruel to pris-
oners, will be investigated. The governor has
come to that conclusion within the past day
or two. The investigating committee will be
three or five in number. and will be COM
posed of reputable business men, wholly dis
interested, and Of such standing and reputa-
tion all over the state as will entitle their
finding to the respect of everybody concerned.
There will be no whitewash If the governor
can prevent it; at least, he says. The
names of the investigation committee will
be published next notwithstanding Ga
zette.
Last Monday the st. Paul Globe con-
tanned a long article regarding the local man
agement of the state prison at Saltwater
and charged some of the officers of that in
stitution with cruel and inhuman treatment of
convcts. The principal charges were against
Deputy Lemon, and were made by eX-con-
victs and employees. Since then others have
voluntarily offered corroborative evidence
and it is reported that Gov. Clough will order
an investigation. If some of the charges are
true, the guilty should be punished and If
they are not the public should know it; so an
open and complete investigation without any
whitewashing will be good thing. Such
shaking up once in a while results liz good
-Litchfeld Review.
The St. Paul G o e is going after the
penitentiary officials in a red hot manner for
sary to keep the hard characters there under
subsection and unless the officials are upheld
by the public discipline will be at an end
Hinckley Enterprise.
The charges against the state prison OFF,
Gals alleging cruel and inhuman treatment
will be thoroughly investigated. Gov. ClOugh
has appointed c. Z. Flandrau, Of St Paul;
Stanley r. Ktchel, of Minneapolis, and B.
T Farmer of Spring Valley, commissioners
to investigate the charges. 1t is understood
that discharged conyicts and guards who
were dismissed for incompetency or dishon-
esty are behind the charges which have been
given publicity through the st. Paul G o b e.
-Moorhead Independent.
The St. Paul o b o has created a SEN
sation by charging cruel and inhuman treat
meut of convicts at the saltwater prison,
testimony from parties who claim to be able
to prove the charges. 1t Is but Justice TO
the prison officials that a searching inquiry
be made by a partisan committee COM
posed of men on whose judgment and honesty
the people can rely with confidence. and the
matter sifted to the bottom regardless OF
whose toes are pinched.-Wheaton Gazette
Reporter
Tt is known that all state institutions need
close watching, much closer than is given
them and that there have been charitable
and penal institutions in this state and in
other states where there have been great
abuses, which Investigations have proven.
Since the foregoing was in print an ex-guard
of the prison, who is now a business man in
Mankato, confirms what has been published
in the G o b e. and he adds his knowledge
of other instances of cruelty.-New Ulm
News.
The St Paul G o b is after the officers
of the states prison with sharp stick, alleg-
ing cruel and inhuman treatment of prison
North Branch Review.