The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-05-21
EXCHANGE COMPLIMENTS
Warden Russell and Representative
Whelan Write" and "Reply"

control of Marquette prison will
meet at Marquette Wednesday to in
vestigate the charges against War
den Russell made by the hous,
committee on Marquette prison IL
its report made to the house las
week. The meeting will be attend
ed by Judge Stone of Marquette ant
the prosecuting attorney of Mar
quette county. If these officials fine
anything to substantiate the sever,
charges made by the committee {
special grand jury probably will b'
called. But from developments a
Lansing 1t Is more than likely to b,
committee which will come in fol
criticism.
Charges Made.
Some of the charges follow:
That Convict Charles H.
Johnson was nagged and fiogged
and finally strung up by the
wrists for sixteen hours and
taken down for dead because
he told on" the prison author
tiles for their alleged cruelty
to inmates.
That his case was but one of
a long series of cruel and I'M
necessary punishments.
That Warden Russell was exr
travagant in buying luxuries
for his familys use with the
states funds.
That Russell bought $500
worth of furniture for his wife,
paying therefor with state mon
ey.
That he bought from his
brother a team of horses for
$500, paying for them in SIM
liar manner.
Governor Warner Takes Hand.
Governor Warner is responsible
for the board taking the matter VI
with the county officials there, and
the governor has proceeded far
enough with the investigation tC
make the statement that "The report
is grossly exaggerated throughout
and absolutely in contradiction to
testimony before the committee"
The governor is backed in this
statement by AN acknowledgment of
Rep. John Whelan. chairman of the
committee. Rep. Whelan was called
on the carpet by Governor Warner
several days ago. The governor
asked for transcript OF the testi-
mony taken before the committee.
Whelan attempted to hedge, but
finally produced the testimony. He
then informed the governor that he
believed the report was too strong
and laid the blame on Rep. Robert
Y. Ogg. who drafted the report and
forced it through the committee.
In this connection the following
correspondence bearing on this sub
jecr will be OF interest:
Rep. Whelan Writes Warden Russell
Lansing, May Is, 1909.
"Mr. James Russell, Marquette, Mich
"My Dear Sir-Doubtless you are
watching closely the proceedings Of
the house, especially during this
week, as matters Of interest to your
self have been brought out, especial
ly the report Of our committee.
'At our last committee meeting
under the head of recommendation
there were several suggestions or re-
quests made that I opposed. One,
particularly, was the recommends
ton that tine warden of the Mar
quette prison be removed. l stated
to the committee my position. name
ly. that you had demanded of our
committee a hearing before the
committee and we assured you that
we had taken all the evidence that
we thought necessary on the subject
to which we were assigned, and in
ferred to you that you did not need
hearing. I proposed to resign my
of the committee and
let any other member act as chair
man. This, of course, would have
created some discord, perhaps. and
in order to retain me as chairman
the section suggesting your removal
was stricken out. My position was
that you are entitled to a hearing on
that question, and 7 was acting for
you in the spirit of fairness, as /
hope you would act for me under
similar circumstances in my abb
sence.
What will be done with that re-
port / cannot say. am of the opin-
ion that nothing will be done. RI
write you this that you may have
basis upon which to form a correct
opinion.
Trusting that all is we'll with YOU
and Mrs. Russell, I am yours, very
81. J. Whelan."
Russell's Tart Reply"
Marquette, Mich, May II, 1909
81. ]. Whelan, Assembly Chamber.
lansing, Michigan.
"Sir:-T am in receipt of your ex-
)lanatory communication of date
Nay Is, relative to the report sub
nitted to the legislature by your
In this letter to me you
speak of your desire to be fair
o me, and in proof thereof set forth
he fact that you opposed pro-
posed recommendation by your |
committee that / be removed from
he ,wardenship of this prison, your
opposition awaiting to cause the same
o be withdrawn. Thank you for