The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-09-06
Induced Board to Enlarge the
Scope.
TAKES IN EVERYTHING
Conditions Of RefOrmatOry in
General Looked Into.
Former Official Well Satisfied
With Situation.

A c. Gates chaplain of the Hutchin-
son reformatory. who was discharged
by Superintendent Marshall and is now
Instrumental in pushing the investiga-
tion of Marshall. has written letter
to the state Journal in which he de-
clares that the Hutchinson newspapers,
and some others, have been fixed
and print nothing but reports prejudiced
in favor OF Superintendent Marshall
concerning the present investigation.
Mr. Gates says:
1T does not matter though. for the
governor seems to mean business and
told me that not a profane or drinking
man could retain a place in the 1nsti-
tuition.
lie is astonished to find things as
they are. 1 had a private talk with
him and showed him that we could not
get a fair hearing with a man like
Kelley on the board. 1 showed in the
hearing how had reported to the
board and to Marshall, drunkenness
and dissOIute conduct on the part OF a
number of guards and ofncers last
June, and furnished or onered 10 Iur-
nish positive proof, and that all that
came of it was a letter (circular) dis
tributed among the officers by Mr..
Marshall expressing regret and con
demning those not loyal to the 1nsttu-
ton. One of these guards (Johnson)
was let out about five months later
Others We're retained and some OF the
I started my testimony by asking
that we be. permitted to investigate
the conditions at the reformatory IN
general, (since the governor is present.
and that those in authority (Mr Mar
shall being only a factor) be lnVestlga-
ted in particular. The governor could
not refuse since he came with wide
sweeping desire to get the whole truth;
Kelly smelled a mice and protested
that the board was not on trial why
not everything connected with the In
stitution-men and methods, ana an
that concerns the good ana the Marin
TO the Young men sent here for cure
and fer tIeatment?' l urged, and then
the whole board yielded. / then showed
vestigating Johnson's case 6Dayhnn
family affair." but that Simmons heiped
TO go into the matter and that MAT
shall still kept him until rev weeks
before dismissing me.
Il called for an explanation of an
error in my accounts. When L closed
business with Marshall he told me L
owed the state $3.50. / drew a cneck
fer the same but nothing shows that
the state ever got the money hely
explained that he and ONetl We're re
sponsible and that they had decided 10
hold it and investigate the merits Oh
the case before cashing.
You don't need to fret, MI.
Gates said Kelly. the state will get
the money and you have your salary,
all that is coming to you, haven't
II am not sure about it, I said.
and that is why 1 ask. If $1l-5O is
due the state from me want tne
books to show it, and they should
have shown as much before they were
closed for the last biennial account,
or for the last fiscal year.
Here the governor took hand.
Kelly acknowledged 1 was right and
took the blame go himself shleIdlng
Marshall 1 brought up the fact that
$1,000 was deducted from my salary
nished substitutes for all m ywork.
II then showed that a letter ad-
dressed to me bearing evidence that
It had to do with this investigation
fell into Marshalls hands a few days
ago. He carried same to postmaster
and inquired if he would be safe in
opening 1t. Then he took 1t TO the
new chaplain and asked him to open
1t explaining that the postmaster said
all O. k He read it as well as the
chaplain and then mailed it to me. OF
course you will appreciate that the
damaging features consisted in the
careful preparation for the opening
as it was addressed: Mr.. A. G.. Gates.
Chaplain Kansas State Industrial
school. Hutchinson, Kansas 1t con-
tanned evidence presented in this case.
'I showed how the chaplain and
his position had for years been dis
crfr1lirated against and how the rigid,
crude and partial discipline OF both
inmates and officers showed Mr.. Mar
infict punishment, far more than to
rise to the dignity of a just, humane
and tactful superintendent.
''I showed that probably the three
suicides would not have occurred had
Mr. Marshall disciplined as an elder
brother or father rather than as a
lawyer and detective.
1.-THE climax came with testimony
of inmates showing cruelty and
showing efforts on part of Marshall,
the doctor. clerk and assistant super
intendent leaguing together to make
and present false records in case.
1.-THE testimony of the witnesses
generally. made especially emphatic
by former teachers. chaplains, and by
Mr.. c. J. Peck of Salina. former as
sistant superintend dent. showed that a |
number of officers and guards en-
ployed at the Reformatory are not |
the kind of examples of manhood to |
lead fallen or wayward young men /
into better life. Profanity is used /
a great deal. drinking and drunken |
ness are indulged in, and that the |
general tone of the moral and Chris
tan atmosphere of the place is low. |
and that Mr. Marshall's tendency is to |
discredft the value and need OF such |
power as a reformatory agency
INVESTIGATION Is RESUMED.