Evening star., 1898-06-15
James q. Harris Appointed by Dis
trict Supreme Court.
INDORSED BY LEADING INDIANIANS
The New Warden a Native of the
Hoosier State.
PRESENT FORCE AT JAIL


den of the Jail to succeed John r. Leonard.
deceased. The tsrm is four years. and the
salary $500 per annum. Only one other
name was considered by the justice of the
Supreme Court of the District, but after a
short discussion Captain Harris was unani-
mously chosen.
As in the casa Of Warden Leonard, the
appointment again goes to Indiana. Cap
tain Harris Is a native of that state, at ore
time resident of Indianapolis. and friend
of former Marshal Ransdell
Mr.. Ransdell was instrumental in procur-
ing the appointment of Mr.. Leonard, and
he is also directly responsible for the selec-
ton of Captain Harris. AS soon as the
death OF Mr.. Leonard was announced Mr..
Ransdell fastened here from New York
city, where he was temporarily staying. He
arrived Sunday. and lost time in pre-
Senting the claims of his candidate.
The application was not made in writing,
and The Star yesterday was the first to
announce the candidacy.
Secured Aid of Others.
Mr.. Ransdell Interested Senator Fair
banks and Representative Lands, MIR.
Tracewell, controller of the treasury, and
other distinguished men, and they united
in advancing the interests of the Indianian.
Mr.. Lands brought Mr.. Harris to the City
Hall yesterday and introduced aim to the
Justices. He made a very favorable i'm
preston and was cordially received
1t was freely predicted last night among
those interested in the I,attar that Mr..
Harris would be elected, ard this morning
1t was evident that he still led all ether
candidates.
The Justices retired into conference about
l2:45 O'Clock. and remained there until 30
o'clock. Justice Cole stepped for ii moment
out of the room, ard The Star reporter
was the first to learn of The appointment.
I'VE have just elected Capt Harris"
stated Justice Cole.
Justice Bingham's Tribute.
The session was continued but little long
er, and then the justices resumed their
court work. Chief Justice Bingham spoke
in the highest terms of the new warden.
Captain Harris is very fine man." said
he, "and will make good warden. He is
particularly well posted along he lines
touching upon the care and treatment of
Criminals. He has had much experience in
charitable and beneficial work also. He
was the unanimous choice of the court"
Warden Harris is now about fifty-three
years Of age. He served in the war, and
came out of 1t with the rank Of captain.
He was prominent in Indiana politics for
years and served as member of the state
legislature He also was interested ~ the
conduct OF a number of institutions Of
charitable and correctional character
About fifteen months ago he came TO
Washington and accepted a place as cap
tam OF the watch at the Jail 1t was rart
or mis- duty to receive the visitors and at
tCrneyS gong to the Jail, and his Uniform
and unfailing courtesy to all was the SUBJ
Ject of comment at the city hall when his
appointment was made known.
Capt. Harris has a family and lives at
NO. lbs massachusetts, avenue northeast.
An Important Office.
The office of warden of the Jail here is
orders for the capital punishment Of pris-
oners, and no other can act in his absence
THIS was demonstrated by The Star yester-
day in the statement authorized by Chief
Justice Bingham that unless a warden
were appointed today executions set for to-
morrow must be postponed.
or course, since the President has re-
proved the murderers that necessity no
longer exists
The warden has the care of all the pris-
oners at the jail, and he also appoints the
suDordlnate ofhcers, guards and attendants,
subject to the approval of the chief Justice
There are at present twenty-seven en-
ployes at the Jail. Their names are:
Benton Russ. deputy warden; Dr. E. X
Shute, physician; w. c. Williams. Z. L.
Ransdell, Alice j. Bennett, Nellie Marshall.
y: 5. Ransdell, Geo. c. Gum, ]. H. Harris,
w. S. Perry, Jas. Woodward, Matthew
Brannigan, Eugene Welch, Abram Stall, T.
=. Mitchell, F. III Lingback G. w. Dutton,
Horton. John Campbell, j. T. Ward, D,
NJ Proctor, ]. E. Fill, G. B. Blandford,
John Mercer.
Probability as to Changes.
According to a statement by Chief JUS
tice Bingham, 1t is not likely that the new
warden will make changes in his force of
subordinates except for cause. The rule is
to keep employees who prove faithful and
competent without reference to their polit-
ical faith.
Captain Harris is described as a fine
looking middle-aged man, of military bear
Ing and rigid disciplinarian. He was noii-
ned to be sworn in and file bond in the
penal sum of $1,000 and enter upon the dis
charge OF his new duties at once
prominent among the candidates for the
place were Gen. 8. g. Yoder, c. T. Yoder
a. b. Grain. Frank W. Miller, Crier w. G.
carroll of Criminal Court No 2, Deputy
Marshai James Springman. Capt James
McDevitt, Austin Herr and Deputy War
den Russ.