The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-12
JUDGE REFUSES TO STOP.

concluded that the old system of Stand
and deliver would be discontinued and
that efficiency in the performance of all
duty would take its place.
How badly they were mistaken
subsequent events proved.
tOn the evening of August 13 last,
Warden Haskell called a meeting of
the officers of the prison in the chapel.
AT this meeting IS officers were
present, including the warden and his
had been called for the purpose of dis
cussing campaign contributions and
| then went on to tell about what had
campaign was on hand and that much
money would be needed. He said the
civil service law did not amount to
anything and was practically a fraud.
and would protect no one three days
if the Democrats were successful at the
polls.
He occupied the floor a good part
of the time, said lhat per cent was
not too much and urged the oftlcerS TO
unite upon that amount. In short, he
spoke worked and voted for a per
cent assessment, ard being ably assist
ed by his deputy was successful IN
forcing a resolution through to that
effect. the final vote standing AZ for to
"a against and two not voting. In this
connection 1 have not tried to use the
warden's words but have given true
import.
''This meeting was not caucus of
officers, but was a meeting called and
ordered by the warden and dominated
by his influence and accordingly was
ignored by many, some of whom were
afterwards forced and whipped into
line in various ways, it being easy to
understand that the displeasure of the
warden and deputy could and does put
man into hard lines. Petty annoy
ances of various kinds were begun by
the warden toward many of the Of
f1cers that had refused to submit.
Forced to dig Up
'As an example of this a cell house
officer who was against the methods
the warden had Instituted for obtain
ing campaign funds, was changed to
roustabout duty at a reduced salary
and no reason assigned. This change
was made during his absence. Several
similar instances can be cited to show
the arbitrary methods resorted to by
the warden in carrying through his
plans. Contributions to the campaign
fund were not allowed to be made by
individual officers. One officer told
me that he tried to contribute direct
to Topeka but was advised that all
money must come through official
channels. Officers that had been at
work but few months were told that
they would be expected to contribute
the full amount.
sas can allow this Interpretation of the
civil service law to stand, then Warden
Haskell must have been correct when
he told the officers that the law
amounted nothing and was practically
a fraud.
Cruelty Has Been Practiced.
+ Concerning the charges of cruelty
to prisoners in the methods of punish
ment, under the present administra-
ton, 1 believe there is ample ground
for investigation.
II am a firm believer in discipline
in an institution of this character, and
to that effect suitable punishme
must be resorted to. There are certain
we'll established modes of punishment
in vogue and many of them are com
mon to most of our penal institutions;
they are sanctioned by law and usage
and have been found to be effective,
therefore 1 have no hesitation in say
ing that the Introduction of cruel and
unusual modes of punishment by the
present warden are unnecessary and
wholly indefensible. While 1 have
never seen the water cure admins
tered, 1t is matter of common knowl-
edge that such punishment has be-
come a matter of almost daily occur
renee during the past eight months.
Former administrations have new
er found it necessary to resort to such
means and the only plausible ex-
planatfon would seem to be the brutal
and revengeful nature of the man in
cndrSe.
after an unruly prisoner has been
subdued by force. handcuffed and
placed in confinement it would seem
as if the necessity for further punish
ment was not apparent since he could
be left to think matters over and re-
pent at leisure.
The present warden seems to think
otherwise, however, possibly on ac-
days and proceeds to strangIe him with
water, by playing a stream from a hose
upon his face in such manner that the
prisoner must inhale portion of it.
This while he is manacled, strapped
and bound and an attendant holding
his head firmly SO that, escape or
evasion is impossible. 1 repeat that it
is a matter of common knowledge that
this is almost daily occurrence at
the prison since last June. Can the
governor of the state of Kansas up
hold and protect a warden in such in
human acts? If the governor will
guarantee protection to his officers a
Lansing, and demand of them the truth
he can learn all he cares to know.
Bad results have also come under
my personal observation from the use
of the wall ring. Old and infirm men
are at times made to stand handcuffed
to a ring in the wall of the dark cell
during the working hours of the day
and have been found in a helpless and
collapsed condition at the close of the
day. In all reason these forms of pun
ishment are cruel, unusual and bar
barous and should be abolished
cI0cCn 0NcC MnQE