Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-08-31
oAKEs's LAWYER SPEAKS.
Claims No Case Has Bccn Made Out
against His CIicnt-His Version
NJ she Uoucrs Amir.

Judge c. 8. Palmer, of the firm Of
Palmer and Foster. attorney for f. W.
Cakes. returned Saturday night from
Windsor. where he has been in atten-
dance on the investigation OF the States
prison affairs. lie was interviewed at
his summer home in t'ndcrhll by a Free
Press representative with regard TO the
investigation and in answer to questions
said: 1.-THE evidence Is now practically
all in. The dispositions of two witnesses
will be taken in Boston Friday. and other
evidence will be taken in Boston. 1t Is
the purpose of tho committee to
close the testimony the first week in
September The evidence of Mr.. fTarpin
concerning tho taking of provisions to
Woodstock and Lake Sunapcc has been
entirely refuted. The evidence has been
conclusive that the boxes shipped to Mr..
Oakees daughter at Woodstock contain
cd only school books and other articles
belonging to the daughter, which were
sent to her by her mother after the for
mcr's marriage The only articles Of
provisions taken to Woodstock were little
table dclicaces OF cookies, jollies etc,
Of which the daughter was fond, and
which were sent to her by nor mother.
The only articles taken to Lake Sunapce
were n loaf of bread. q piece Of cold meat
and a few garden vege tables. These were
taken when Mr.. Oakos first went to the
lake and were only for Use for meal
or two until the family could arrange
for provisions at the lax" Not a dollar
Of Misrepresentation Of the state funds
has been testified to except seven or eight
dollars of private telephone bills which
were mixed with the official account sew
eral years ago. paid by the clerk and
forgotten by Mr.. Oakes a the time of
the adjustment of the account. The evil
dence was overwhelming that the dis
| ciplne OF the prison under Mr.. Qakes
was of the highest order and in the mat
ter of the purchase Of State supplies he
was an extremely close buyer The
evidence was abundant that Mr.. Harpin
had been trying for years 70 undermine
Mr.. Cakes and secure his position; that he
had kept tabs on everything that looked
| like wrongful use of provisions or
other matters. with n view Of using them
against MFR. Oakcs NJ some time: that
lIIarpin had tried TO secure the supern-
tendents place by political manipulations
and otherwise. The evidence seems to in.
dictate that. il he was not a party &c
the Rogers episode. he should have detect.
ed and prevented il as tho laws and reEu.
lations Of the prison make him the official
particularly responsible for the proper
conduct of the guards and other persons
employed in the hail. The window nj
Harpin's room opened right on the CORR.
dor where Mary Rogers was confined and
with hut n trivial effort he could have de.
tected the operations of his son or the
hall men. The affair Of Mary Rogers was
at a time when great pressure was being
brought to bear upon Governor Bell tc
secure a repricve and l have no Doubt
that it was the plan Of parties cnga ged
in that performance to get Mrs. Rogers ir
n condition thought u compel Governo,
Bell to again rcprieve her.
CANNOT BLAME OAKEs.
while MIR. Oakes. rs the head OF the
institution. will b. subject to his full
share Of public criticism. VT his duties
did not bring him AZ all in touch with tn,
men and conditions involved in the Mar,
Rogers case. The immediate charge Of al
subordinate officials and TRUSTEES be.
longed to the department of Warden Har.
pin. The only just criticism which think
attaches To Mr. Oakes in tho whole prison
subject is in not discharging Harpin from
the employment in the State service n,
least three or four years ago.
Il have no idea what the committee 4
views are but they are very painstakins
and careful in their research and have
insisted that the widest scope be given
TO the investigation of all matters rela,
tive TO the prison management ! have
never known an investigation of this char
acter where such full opportunity was OF.
Tered every person TO appear and give
evidence on any subject as in this case
The door has been opened wide by the
encouragement and full opportunity ex'
tended to everyperson to make public any
Information which they possessed. touch.