The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-04
BACKED UP BY THE GOVERNOR
WHO MADE SHORT SPEECH TO
THE GUARDS LAST NIGHT.
Former Superintendent Byers, Upon
Retiring, Issues an Address to the
People of Indiana.

"eoiy nucl lO-udy DeHlllu ClOSeu uOOrS.
The accounts were approved and Jo-
seph p. Byers stepped aside. w. H. Whit
taker at once took charge and began to
learn the routine.
Governor w. T. Durbin arrived at the
Reformatory tonight and was entertained
by the new superintendent. After dinner the
guards were assembled in the schoolroom
and they were addressed by Superintendent
Whitaker, President d. ]. Terhune of the
board Of managers and Governor Durbin.
Superintendent Whitaker read his address
in careful and impressive manner. He
said:
II come to you with criticism from many
sources saying that this institution will be
turned into a political machine. 1 want TO
say now, in your presence and in the pres
ence OF the Governor of the State and the
board, who are responsible TO the people
or the State for the management of this in
stitution, that there will not be from this
day any politics in the discharge or appoint
ment of any officer. Each OF you who are
now on the pay rail- land, as 1 understand,
the political complexion is about evenly
divided) Will remain on the pay roll unless
can give a good business reason for let
ting you go. AS long as you are faithful,
honest and loyal to this administration and
show yourselves to have the merit to con-
duct your departments in a high-grade
manner, there will be no danger of your
losing your positions. The law gives the
superintendent absolute authority in the
appointing and discharging of all subordi-
nate officers. While L have this authority
1T will be used only in the interest of the
inmates of this institution and the interest
Of the people of the State, who, through
the Governor and the board, have placed
us in charge.
WHILE ON DUTY.
This is a Reformatory Every officer i'm
this institution must at all times, while on
uvhi n Int I,
as a gentleman The use of tobacco in
any form while you are on duty will not be
tolerated. The use Of profane language.
while duty, in the presence of an officer
or in the presence of prisoner, will not
be tolerated. And there is not an officer on
the pay roll or foreman in the shops that
will be given the second chance after
either of these offenses 1t is impossible
in my judgment. to reform any man when
the officers who have charge of him do the
very things which the rules or the ;lsti-
tuition do not permit the prisoner TO do.
81 talking plainly to you these
things which are TO a certain extent, per-
sonal liberties, but men who give their
services to the State in looking after and
caring for unfortunate and defective men
must at all times conduct themselves i'm
such u way to be worthy example to
those over whom they have charge.
1.-The door of the office of the supern-
welcome to enter on business relating TO
the welfare of your department while you
are or off duty. / want to know as
much about this institution as you know
and want you to know as much about it
as L know. 1t is only by the exchange of
ideas and by adopting those that are the
best that We will make a success of our
work here. Therefore, do not fail to con-
suit me when you feel that there Is some
thing wrong or If you feel that something
could be done to make your department
better.
MUST HAVE DISCIPLINE.
''In order to have the very best condi-
tons that can exist among officers in an
institution of this character it is necessary
to try TO excel in>your department, in keep
ing it clean, carefully looking after those
under you and so handling the inmates that
it will not be necessary to make reports
to the assistant superintendent. 1 wish it
distinctly understood, however, that we
must have discipline first and then refor-
nation, If possible. In trying to excel in
your departments along these lines, do 1t
with the kindest feeling to your brother
officers. We must not have jealOusies or
chickering's. Be considerable at all times and
willing to help and assist in making this
the best institution of its kind in the coun-
| try. That is what the board wants, and
that is what we must do our best to make
1.-The assistant superintendent, who has
| charge of the discipline and other matters
on the inside of the institution. will always
| have my undivided support. His work can
| be made easy as well as your own, If each
| and every one OF you will give him your I'M
| divided and loyal support. Not only will
| the superintendent at all times give his
assistant his undivided support, but he will
| give just as loyal support TO every other
| subordinate officer In giving decisions
upon matters pertaining to the welfare of
| the institution, the superintendent may not,
] in every case, do just as you think is
proper or as you would do We're our posi-
| tons reversed. Mistakes are inevitable,
| and the superintendent expects to make
| them and will always cheerfully listen to
| the head of any department or to any en-
/ ploye, remembering at all times that there
| is but one goal to reach, and that Is the
| greatest good to the inmates and the insti-
| tuition. While we are not responsible for
the inmates coming to this institution, we
! are responsible for their moral, educational
and physical training while they under
| our charge. In handling these inmates,
always remember that good results are
| never accomplished in the heat OF passion.
You must control your temper, be consid-
| crate and kind at all times.
WORD OF AN OFFICER.
II shall at all times take the report of
| an officer against the word of an inmate,
reserving the right, however, to advise with
the assistant. and if the report of the officer
is found TO be wrong it will be the duty
of the assistant to recommend to me what
action should be taken in the matter
II desire to have it understood in the pres
ence of the board that all appeals shall be
made and decided upon by the superin-
| tendent before any member OF the board is
| informed or unduly approached The super
/ intendent is responsible TO the board. Every
| other employee here is responsible To the
| superintendent. This impress upon you 10
/ remember. Furthermore, the superintend-
/ ent will keep the board in touch with every
| detail of the work from month TO month
| In fact, a system must be inaugurated that
| will keep them in touch SO that they will
leave us from time 10 time knowing that the
officers in their employment are honest and
| faithful
At the close of Mr.. Whittakers address
! ID. j. Terhune. president of the board OF
managers, said the members stood ready 70
uphold the hands of the new administers
ton and he was pleased to hear the en-
phatic utterance OF Superintendent Whit
| taker in regard to the nonpartisan and non
political management the institution is to
| have.
GOVERNOR DURBIN'S ADDRESS.
II have nothing more TO say than what
was said by superintendent Whitaker :
said Governor Durbin. II indorse all that
| he has said. 1t has always been my aim
to place all of our state institutions on the
highest possible plane To do this they
| must be on a nonpartisan basis. This has
not been the case with this institution. as