The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-11
REFUSES TO BUDGE
BOARD, WANTS TO MAKE
TERMS
DEMOCRAT MUST SUCCEED HIM
Otherwise He VIII Decline to Give
Up the POsitiOn-John Hammes, of
st. Paul, HustIing for Votes on
the BOard-Being a Faithful Party
Man, He Thinks He Deserves More
Than Whittier.

The state reformatory board, in the
vernacular of the street. is up against
it," Supt. Houlton, whom it is sought to
remove, refuses to be decapitated unless
the board comes to his terms He is will
ing, he says, to resign, but only on con-
dition that some one other than f. A
Whittier is to be given his place. After
several hours session yesterday morning
1t was decided to lay the matter over for
with Gov. Lind.
The law creating the office of super
intendent of the reformatery says that
that official cannot be removed without
cause, and such cause must be fully sub
stantiated by charges filed and proven
before the board of managers of the in
stitution. Houlton says his enemies can
go ahead and remove him If they can,
unless some one other than Whittier Is
proposed for his place. In other words,
he wants to dictate the naming of his
successor. This, certain members of the
board, who constitute a majority of the
board, will not hear to, and the chances
are the matter will be taken to the courts
before Mr.. Houlton is ousted, and pos
sibly that may dislodge, as the charges
which have been preferred. it is claimed.
will not hold water when submitted to
the light of public investigation.
Next Wednesday the governor will meet
the board In the afternoon.
The fight over the removal of Supt.
Houlton has caused much wonderment,
it is understood that Gov. Lind favors,
in fact, has practically recommended,
the appointment of State Agent +. A.
Whittier to the place, and this causes the
surprise. Whittier is Republican of
the old machine. Supt. Houlton, it is
conceded, has signified his willingness to
step out of office if any one but Mr.. Whit
tier is named to succeed him. This being
the case, the selection Of Democrat, it
is argued, ought to be easy. But up to
a day or two ago candidates for the place
have not been hear of. The contest has
brought John Hammes, of st. Paul, to
the front as an aspirant for the place.
Mr.. Hammes has been Democratic par
ty worker for twenty years, and, besides,
is not without experience and knowledge
necessary in looking after prisoners, al
though that has not heretofore been a
requisite. He was for several years jail
er at the central police station, and after
at the county jail. Hammes is said to
have the Endorsement of some Of the most
influential local Democrats, men who
worked hard in the interest Of Gov. Lind's
state campaign To the arguments of
all these however, it is said Gov Lind
has turned a deaf ear. Part of the re-
formatory board, including two Demo-
cratic members are said to be favorably
inclined toward Hammes' candidacy.
In order to remove an obstacle in the
way of his ambition, it Is said Whittier
has offered Hammes a position as chief
guard at the reIormatory in case he Is
selected as superintendent. What Ham
mes attitude toward this compromise is
Is not known, but it may be significant
that, accompanied by several friends,
Hammes made hurried visit to the state
capitol late yesterday afternoon to CON
suit over the matter with some of the
state officials. 1t is declared however,
that he is unqualf1edly a candidate for
Mr.. Houlton's position.