The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-27

The normal condition of the institution has
always been found by those who visit IL
and no lodging or covering up OF real CON
ditions of the Institution has ever been in
dulged in. The mana cement OF that in
stitution has been open, frank and above
board and with the lights turned on so that
the public could at all times know and see
what was going on.
BRANDED AS WHOLLY FALSE.
5. The statements of Mr.. Goodwine that
the action of the board in appointing gen.
eral superintendent was an act Of secrecy
and concealment of purpose" comes from
man who has not only been secretly but
wilIfulIy concealing his real purpose in in
PRODUCING and urging the passage of this
bill We brand this statement as wholly
false Mr.. Gocdwine had grounds on
which to base his statement. The only pur-
pose of the board In not consulting any one
in reference to the appointment OF a gen
eral superintendent was to free ourselves
from outside influences, political and other
wise, and get the best equipped man posi-
BILE TO fill the place. No discourtesy was
intended to the Governor or anyone else.
We were performing our duty under the
law as we saw IL, and with but one oDJecS
in view, and that was the best interests Oh
the institution. We were following prece-
dents innumerable for our action. among
them might be mentioned the fact tnat the
Governor himself frequently makes an APP
pontment and announces 1t with the reSis-
nation OF the IHcIc 10
unusual in persons authorized to make ap-
pontments to fill vacancies not to an
nounce a resignation until person Is Sc.
lected to fill the vacancy. To insist tnat
there was discourtesy on the part OF the
board in this act, either Intentional or un-
intentional, is but another perverson or the
facts and made for the evident purpose OF
prejudicing the minds OF the members or
the Legislature against this institution
A BASE INSINUATION.
Senator Goodwine says ''that any investi-
CATION that might be instituted relative to
this institution . = that a large part
of the information would have to be gath
cred from the employees and convicts in the
institution. Any one can see very readily
the difficulty that would attend investiga-
ton under such circumstances while the
present board is in control" This is an
other base insinuation with an assumption
that things are wrong at the institution
His position is to condemn the management
of that institution first and investigate IL
cutor asking the court to convict man
first with a promise that he will bring the
evidence afterwards justifying the convlc-
ton. We insist that the authorized state
ment of the Governor 'that il will be my
most earnest effort If the Goodwine bill Is
passed to have thorough investigation
made" Is unfair. unjust and In violation
of every principle of manhood in that Ii
asks a vote of condemnation by members
of the Legislature upon the members ana
the management of this institution, with
promise that afterwards proof shall be
made that they made no mistake. The
vilest criminal is shown more consideration.
Will a member of the Legislature OF the
great State of Indiana cast his vote In con-
demnation of the official acts OF reputable
citizens without first hearing the evidence
and the officials themselves? We don't be-
lieve that such rank injustice will be done
by a majority of the distinguished members
of the House of this Legislature.
In conclusion we deny that there is any
thing wrong or has been wrong In the man
agement of the Indiana Reformatcry. We
now hereby demand an open, vigorous. fair
investigation of all the acts Of the board or
managers of that institution. Let no gull
ty man escape" but let justice be done and
the truth brought forth as to all those who
are connected, directly or indirectly, with
the management of this institution.