The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1905-12-28
FOLK CHARGES NEGLECT
AssOr~ Governor Replies TO Criti-
ciSTS in tae Report of the
Penitentiary Inspectors.
BaIen AIO CHGHs!V A!SHaasGsa;GT
Statement Issued by the Executive
osOtes the Law and Place. BIan,e
for Lax Methods at the Prison ON
<be Inspectors-HaNe Full Power
so Make Rule. aud Regulations.


Jefferson City. Mo, Dec. 25.-Goy.
FAk Sunday night issued a statement
tn reply to the criticism contained
In the report Of the board Of peniten-
tsary inspectors of the methods pur-
sued in the appointment Of peniten-
tisry officials. That section of the re-
rrort vas as follows:
On account OF the recent attempted
escape of the four convic,s from the
state peniten'iary. the board Of prison
inspectors has conducted an extended
and careful investigation as TO the
mar agement and discipline of that in
stitGLtpn.
Although yor (Gov. Fo|kl are not
charged with any direct responsibility
for The conduct and management of
l-s ate r,nucntiaiy yci. IN view of
the iact that you appoint the warden,
art NAT HE appointment If the other
officials in charge OF the pvnitentiary
has oe"n marie without the advice or
approval of the board of prison in
spertnrS, you Gave. in flci. direct and
complete authority over the conduct
aitd management of the affairs of the
Irnilentiary.
We therefore submit to you the re-
sri, IF our investigators, in order
that you call, through Year appoint
tres, correct abuses that may exist in
the 'iiscipliae and management of that
institution
OF hose appointed 10 the position
az snrd by The present warden, a
large number nave, according TO their
own statements. had no experience
e1Ih~~ in 'lc handling of prisoners or
II 'Ae apprehension Of criminals
gan" are over tie age of ~, and some
e. %, scr -
la accordance With a custom thar
D. n +Histcd for a number of years,
th"sS- appointments have i'en made rs
r"1aylls for political services, and
wi'enut particular reference to the
Qualifications or efficiency q: the appli-
ciAnf
'''l'he policy of using the patronage |
OF the state penilenliary as rewards for !
rnli;icai service has resulted in the |
Selection of many incompetent men. |
has covered the standard of efficiency |
aa.i Srsulted in a lax disciulire among
t,e .plards and other employees"
Gov. Folk replies by quoting the |
fsN which gives the board of inspec- |
tors iull power to manage the peniten-
tIArl, male rules and regulations for |
rs .ylvernmert and TO report TO the |
s0Tay nor monthly. The governor then |
lxtr.ls ont that since this is the first |
report made by the board il has been |
lax in It's official duty.
tAg. Folk states that he has asked
RE board To establish civil service
rnits for the selection of guards and
~ refuse TO approve appointments I'M
l'ss they come up to the standard of
e iiSMncy, hut the board has not done
sn The governor denies that he has
PAN political debts ~ penitenliary APP |
pin1nenfs ana declares that with but |
tSu exceptions he has made no recon-
ueadationa 10 the warden H.? appoint-
mems
The governor also deri"I2s that it
IL tbe duty Of the board 10 recommend |
til. discharge of all incompetent per-
sSUzs and states that he will see that all
cSdegs are carried out.