New-York tribune., 1902-02-14
JERSEYS PRISON KEEPER.
THE PRESENT OFFICIAL MAY BE RE
TIRED TO PRIVATE LIFE

MANY COMPLAINTS OF Ian MANAGEMENT,
POOR DISCIPLINE AND OTHER THINGS.
Trenton, n. J., Feb. 13 (SpeciaD.-T activity
of Samuel s. Moore in the pursuit of reap
pointment as keeper of the New-Jersey State
Prison is almost phenomenal. The ceerity with
which he lodges in and out of the executive and
legislative chambers, and his constant appear
ance' disappearance and temperance in the
centre rooms and corridors of the State House
Indicate an activity of mind and body bordering
upon anxiety and doubt and early gymnastic
training Whether his aggressive campaign in
his own behalf is increasing his popularity as
a State official and promoting his chances for
another residence of five years in the State
Prison is a question which there are two
opinions, the negative one-whch appears to be
the most forceful and irrepresslble-bein that
his pertinacity in seeking a reappointment is
decidedly detrimental. The opponents of Mr.
Moore say that If he had not been so persistent
an applicant for public favor a great deal less
would have been brought to light about the
discipline and management of the prison. and
likewise his chance for reappointment would
be helped instead of harmed.
Some idea of the opinion which is entertained
or the prison keepers persistence and evident
Sollcltude may be gained from the fact that he
mas come to he known among the satirists about
the state House as Anxious Moore" and his
frequent appearance in so many different places
az almost the same time is greeted with Here
ne comes and There he goes" no explanation
or the pTOnoun being considered necessary IL
cannot truthfully be said that these references
10 Mr.. Moore are intended TO be complimentary
nf his record a discipIinarian or stern moral
Isl IN MS capacity of prison keeper, the reCOg-
nlzed requirements of the place which he holds
put which. his opponents say, he does not III
n ,4- .l,,,gt
state House is as unquestionable as his de
pertinent, which is that of man chasing some
thinE more substantial than rainbow; but his
opponents aver these characteristics not
conspicuous in the prison they are elsewhere.
STRONG MAN NEEDED.
The office of State prison keeper is not, in the
view of those who familiar with its duties
anything like as desirable as important, and
the need of a strong. aggressive. intelligent
management Is everywhere admitted. 1t is an
office which only a few really competent men
seek, and one which il is moi easv 70 An ac
CeptdbIF The complaint against Mr. Moore is
in plain terms. that he has not been a success
as Keeper Of the institution, and that there
toFe there should be a change. To infer that
complaints are made by men who are unfamiliar
with the conduct Of the prison. or that they are
connned 10 men who have personal grievances
"sdlilSt MT. Moore would be mistake. on
lhe contrary. more than one former or present
state Official Of high character and recognized
dDilltN as well as familiarity with the conduct
OF the prison. has called upon Governor Murphy
10 protest against the rcappointment of the res
ent keeper to explain to the Governor WHY
MT. Moore should be permitted to retire and
why II would be 20 the benefit of the institution
Tor him to do SO. 1t is safe to say that If one
hat OF what Is known to who have inside
information OF the management of the State
Prison, gained by personal contact with it. were
known TO the public there would he a volumi-
NOUS ana tmphetlc II not an indignant, protest
against the reappontment OF the present keeper
reference to some OF Mr. Moore's errors I'm
the management Of the State prison said
man OF high rspute and who knows all about
prison matters. yesterday. may be made in n
general way: they may even be mentioned in
conversation by way Of illustration: but to put
them INTO print would not only he obiectiona BILE
but positively impossible TO the maintenance of
Some Of Mr.. Moore's indiscretions we're there
upon recalled. after which agreement with the
views OF the speaker was made necessary by
the requirements OF both ordinary speech and
common decency. Some OF the remarks at
tributef To Mr.. Moore would indicate that. while
he is no respeCter OF persons, he had failed 10
would be testimonial 10 his commendable
department and capabty both a State OFF,
cial and as an individual More than a mere
reference To the former use by the prisoners of
the centre and the corridors for dances and the
service Of beer on ice. under Mr.. Moore's man
aSement Is here Intentionally omitted; hut it
would be obviously unfair To omit the fact that
the present keeper has been more than once re-
buked for his indulgence in profanity in
versation with prisoners, which is a clear viola
ton of the rules of the institution.
SENATOR CROSS AsToUNDED
The strongest supporter OF the reappointment
Of Mr. Moore was. up 10 a few days ago SEN
ator Cross, of Union County. Whether Mr. Cross
still maintains the same attitude toward the
keeper Is not known. but II is positively known
that he was astounded when he heard some of
the complaints against the keeper. II is no
secret that Governor Griggs most reluctantly
appointed Mr.. Moore prison keeper. and that
he afterward regretted that he had done TO
such an extent that If he had relinuuished
the Office of Governor for that of Attorney Cen
eral of the United states Mr.. Moore's term
probably would have expired with that of his ad
interim appointment
An incident In connection with the opposition
TO MIR Moore is that citizen of unblemished
public and private character. when he called
upon Governor Murphy to protest against the
reappointment Of the keeper, mentioned the
fact that Mr.. Moore just outside the execu-
tive office and that he would be quite willing
to have the keeper called in and participate i'm
the interview.
An amusing feature of the pursuit OF the
Office of prison keeper is the stalking in and out
of the State House corridors and Offices of Cap
tain Jonathan GOble, of Ocean County. who is
a candidate for the place. The earnestness OF
his countenance indicates that he is not per
mitting any of the movements of Mr.. Moore To
escape him any more than he is permitting any