The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-06-02
THU WARDEN OUGHT TO BE I'M
PRISONED ON BREAD AND
WATER

If the warden of the Jail in Washing
ton is not removed in disgrace for his
partially to Chapman, it will show that
Dollars stand above Law.
We have already printed how the
broker Chapman fares sumptuously while
the warden refuses to let the relatives
Of other prisoners send in even plain food.
1t is fortunate that this publication is to
be followed up by petition from the pris-
oner refused so that once again the courts
will have an opportunity of showing
whether they really have forgotten that
in the eyes of the law one man is as
good as another.
that he is in prison awaiting trial, and
mot convict serving sentence" like
Elverton II. Chapman. He presents af-
fidavits showing that The has been de-
MED the privilege of seeing as a visitor
within the proper hours his BROTHER" tina
he has been refused the right TO receive
plain wholesome food brought at the
proper time and in the usual circum-
stances by his brother" and your petit
toner has been denied the privilege of re-
ceiving one round steak with a few fried
potatoes"
IT, in declining TO permit Ball to receive
his brother and the food, the warden of
the Jail had been carrying out prison
rule, Ball would have no right to complain.
1t is in keeping with the genius of our
institutions that all prisoners shall fare
alike and that there shall be no discrim-
nations shown because of wealth or for
mer social position. This old practice is
essential in Republic of equals, and it
has been observed until the trusts came
into power. They not only demand to
make the laws, they demand absolute i'm
munity for their higher officials from the
operations of law, and when a smaller
big fish is convicted they require that his
imprisonment shall be made only farce
and he be treated as a hero rather than
a convict.
Read how Chapman, the stock broker, is
treated in jail, according to Balls affida-
Wits. 1t tells tale that will make every
man who loves justice blush with sham
for his country. Ball swears that Chap
man is luxuriously quartered in two cells,
zone for a bedroom, and the other for
an office or reception room. He has been
allowed to have said cells carpeted with
Oriental rugs and furnished with brass
bedstead and with a chiffonier, with
plate-glass mirror, washstand, private
towels and other bathing appurtenances,
which are not furnished to your petition
er, although he has friends who are will
ing and anxious to provide the same; he
has clothes tree; his cell is also furnish
ed with a portable bath-tub and other
prisoners are ordered to convey him wa
ter for bathing purposes" In his ''office"
are "a writing table, pens, ink, paper, a
students lamp, an easy CHAIR" &C.; We
are further told that Chapman every day
has fresh meat and vegeta bles brought
to him and specially prepared by cook"
''knick- knacks" from the Arlington hotel,
delicate soups, frogs legs, duck, quail,
guinea fowls, ices, sherbets, Roman
punch, confections," &c. The petitioner
adds:
''Said Chapman is waited upon by
servant from the Arlington, is allow
ed the use of knife and fork and
napkin, while your petitioner is forced
to sit ON the side Of his bed, or
standing, to eat from tim box with
his fingers corn bread, corned beef
and cabbage, herring and potatoes and
the coarsest fare, though your petit
toner is offered by his relatives bet
ter though plain food"
As il that were not enough, the affida~
Wit proceeds:
4 H. II l,rv% ho iaH