The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-03
RIPPER BILL RECALLED
FIGHT IN THE LEGISLATURE OVER
The REFORMATORY
Newly Elected Warden Has IndOrSe
ments from Many Men of
Prominence.

At n meeting OF the board Of managers
OF the Indiana Reformatory at Jefferson
vile last night Joseph p. Bycrs, general
superintendent, rendered his resignation,
and Will III. Whitaker, of Indianapolis,
was elected to succeed him. Mr.. Whitaker
will take charge Of the Reformatory Aug. 2.
This change was not entire unexpected,
although il was not known that it would
be made at the July meeting of the board.
Since the reorganization of the board was
effected under the provisions of the bill
passed by the last General Assembly it has
been understood that Mr.. Byers would retire
from the superintendency and Mr.. Whit
taker has been frequently mentioned as his
probable successor.
Shortly after the agitation for the re-
organization OF the management of the in
stitution was begun. Mr.. Whitaker made
a formal application for the superintend-
ency. and he backed up his application with
a formidable array of Endorsements and
recommendations from men informed as to
!. his experience in prison work. There were
other applicants for the position but he
8 was selected because, in the opinion of all
j the members of the board, he was best
fitted for the responsibilities. Charles II.
-,Bundy, Of Marion. member of the board
B fof trustees of the State Prison at Michigan
|{City, was one of the applicants for the
Eiplace.
Joseph P. Byers was elected superintend-
ent of the Reformatory, to succeed A. T.
Hert. last fall. and assumed his duties the
1st OF December He was at that time
resident of Columbus, o., and the election
OF a nonresident provoked considerable
criticism. At the same time it was largely
the cause OF friction between Governor Dur
bin and the then members of the board of
managers, John S. Mcdonald, of New AL
bany; Charles E. Shively, of Richmond;
ID. j. Terhune, of Linton, and John G.. Will
liams, of Indianapolis, who made the change
in superintendents without informing the
Governor that the change was contem-
plated
THE RIPPER" BILL
The friction between the Governor and
the board resulted in the introduction of a
bill for the reorganization of the manage
ment of the institution, early in the ses-
sion of the last Legislature. The bill
stirred up one of the most vigorous legisla-
tive fights in the history of the General
Assembly. The original bill ousted the
board of managers and provided for the
appointment by the Governor of a new
board. After a prolonged and bitter con-
test bill was finally passed that author
lied the Governor to remove the members
of the board for cause at any time and
to appoint their successors
Under the authority of the act Governor
Durbin requested the resignation of John
;. Mcdonald. of New Albany, early in
April Mr.. Mcdonald did not comply and
he was removed and DR.. III. c. Hobbs, of
Salem, was named as his successor. The
term OF Charles T.. Shively expired March
- and L. p. Newby, of Knightstown, was
n Gnn 0o6 I'm Iaf
a few weeks later the Governor requested
the resignation of John G.. Williams, of
Indianapolis Mr.. Williams complied with
the request, and he was succeeded by Dale
j. Crittenberger, of Anderson. ID. j. Ter
hume. the fourth member of the old board,
has not been disturbed Messrs Newly
and Hobbs are the Republican members of
the present board; Messrs Terhune and
Crittenberger the Democratic.
Will II. Whitaker. the new superintend-
ent, is experienced in prison and reform
atory work, having been identified with
the State prison at Michigan City as chief
clerk for period of six years from 1895
TO 1901. under the administrations of
Warden Harley. of Delphi. and Warden G..
a. II. Shideler, of Marion. Mr.. Whitaker
had charge of the books of the institution
and under his direction a new system of
storeroom and general accounts was in
troduced that Is regarded one of the
simplest and most effective systems used
In any OF the Indiana institutions 1t has
since been adopted in several other insti-
tutons In this and other States. For two
years Mr. whitaker also acted as state
agent for the prison and had charge OF all
the parOled prisoners.
HIS ENDORSEMENTS.
Mr.. Whittaker's Endorsements, certifying
10 his experience and ability in prison
work. include statements from men who
were in close touch with his work at Mich
iSan City. including former Governor James
A. Mount, Ernest p. Bicknell, OF Chicago.
former secretary of the Indiana State
Board OF Charities; Edward Boyle. former
superintendent of the schools OF Michigan
City; Charley Harley, of Delphi. former
warden OF the prison.; Walter Vail. of
Michigan City: L. II. Nebeker. of coving-
ton. and r. S. Foster. OF indianapolis,
former member OF the board OF trustees of
the State prison; Senator E. A. Dausman.
OF Goshen; c.. G.. McClaughry, former
deputy warden OF the prison. and r. w.
McCianghry. present warden of the govern
ment prison a. Leavenworth Kan.
Ernest BickneIl, by reason OF his position
as secretary OF the State Board OF Charities
1 was especially In close touch with the work
OF Mr. Whitaker and he says OF him:
Prior TO MS assuming the clerks Office,
TIE system OF records and accounts was OF
an ancient and totally inadequate charac-
Ter and was very poorly administered
Without delay Mr. Whitaker began 10 in
troduce improvements and from the begin
mig has shown progressive spirit and an
Intelligent appreciation of the needs OF the
work which have marked him as n man OF
unusual ability and industry. He has. no.