Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1907-08-30
Reformatory Was
Full of His
HenChmen.
TURNED DOWN.
"DOrys" In'uance Not Sufficient
TO Keep Poor Men in Office
Says Captain Martin.
LOVES HIM NO MORE.
Tells How Laundry Wagon Of ln-
stitution Collected Employees
Wash to be Done. \

TRENTON. Aug. 30:-The assem-
bly, investigating committed, which
has been holding it's session at the
state reformatory at Railway, resum-
ed its sittings at the state house yes
terday, but continued to probe into
the affairs of the reformatory. Cap
tain Joseph w. Martin. retired army
officer, who is superintendent Of the
institution, was a witness. He disap-
proved of the system upon which the
reformatory in operated in some par
ticulars which he had no authority to
alter. The practice of committing
old offenders to the institution, Cap-
tain Martin said, had bad effect on
the younger inmates and destroyed
the correctional features for which
the reformatory was started. The au-
thorities were without power to de-
termlne who were proper subjects.
but were compelled to. accept all Who
were sent there without ree1rd RI
their incorrigibility or previous re.
ords. In consequence the institution
was more of a state prison than a re-
formatory proper.
Captain Martin thought that the
reformatory also failed in part of it's
objects because of the practice of
carrying on manufacturing under
contracts. This prevented the inmates
from learning trades, as was intend
ed, but kept them at work upon some
kind of a machine, until the end OF
their terms. This was said to be
necessary because the income receiv-
ed from the products of the inmates
is required to run the institution. He
thought the state should establish
trade schools, and make an appropri-
alton sufficient for their maintenance.
The committee also brought out
he fact that ex-senator Strong,
known as the republican boss of Mid
dlesex county had exercised a con-
trolling influence in the selection of
officers. Captain Martin, however.
denied that the institution suffered
from this, asserting that the selec-
tions made by Mr.. Strong had almost
invariably proved good ones. If not,
the incumbents were always discharg-
ed, no matter how strong protest
might be made by the ex-senator to
secure their retention
Regarding the appointing of Off
cials of the institution, Captain Mar
tin testified that ex-senator Strong,
of Middlesex county, had made every
possible effort to land every appoin-
tee and had tried to meddle with the
institution in every way. But he
tuned down Strong, and now Strong
loves him no more.
When Captain Martin came to the
institution he found it full of Middle
sex county men in official capacities
! All henchmen of Dory Strong?"
queried Mr.. Backes.
ssNrnll ~.
as he went on to say that he was
| over the state.
Regarding the contention of Mr..
Backes that the institution is over
officered. witness testified to there
being thirty men under state pay in
the laundry.
1t was shown that the institution
wagon went around Railway collect
ing the family wash of all officers.
the clothes of all such families, and
it was laundered free of expense to
them. This was part of their wages.
according to Captain Martin.
Witness said that the surplus
vegetables from the reformatory
farm were delivered to officers fami-
lies. and that the families of Captain
Martin and his sons used the institu-
tion carriage for their personal calls
Mr.. Backes brought out that Louis
Fuld, of this city, had the contract
for supplying leather for shoes for
the institution. He declared the con-
tract was won on fair competition
bidding.
Private officers get $3.50 a year:
the assistants, $3.50. Expenses are
paid by the state every week Ra-
garding the early history of the re-
formatory, Captain Martin said the
first commissioners built the large
dome, then afterward cells for in
mates. Mr.. Backes said he had gone
over all the books, but could not find
a complete record of early disburse-
ments. He wanted to know who
could give that information and Cap-
tain Martin said he could not tell him.
Trainers school Oppns Sent crd