Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-24

respect the board saw fit to eat out of the
governors hand. and Warden Mathews
becomes the new official, with the practi-
cal assurance that he will be appointed
for the full term by the directors Gov
Glasscock will name in the early summer
Used as a Bait.
The appointment was held up for a
year because the wardenship is plum
that could be kept dangling in front of the
hungry and force them to be good during
the struggle for state delegates and be-
yond the November election. Had Ma
thews been elected county clerk OF Cabell
county new man would undoubtedly be
put in charge of the LOO convicts at the
Moundsville institution, but political
changes mean other changes in their
wake.
Inasmuch as Mathews has not had any
preliminary experience In the prison line,
and as Capt. Dawson has had all the
experience required. there is tendency
to criticise Gov. Dawson for leaving the
gubernatorial chamber to play politics.
This criticism, following the comment oc-
casioned by the partisan injunctions in the
week preceding. has sort of awakened
much of the anti-Dawson feeling that
ragged in West Virginia five years ago.
But Gov. Dawson cares little Tor hostile
criticism II his mind Is bent on perform
ing certain function. He can appeal
through with a program at other times
which does not strike the popular fancy,
but which satisfies him.
Incident to the prison wardenship muss
at Moundsvile came the introduction of
a resolution in the legislature to have
an investigation into the PRISONS affairs.
1t was presented by Delegate Everett
Moore of Moundsville, a supporter OF
Capt Dawson for the wardenship. This
resolution may be the starter for line
~ hot mill to int md
edify the citizens of the state. If it does
nothing else. OF course, there is the same
old insinuation of mismanagement. ex
travagance, graft In supply purchases
and bad treatment Of sick prisoners noted
generally In similar investigations.
Institution self-Supporting.
The penitentiary is not only self-sup-,
porting. but also shows a good annual
profit, and 1t Is about the only state in
stitution which makes this showing The
boarding of federal prisoners has been
responsible for the balance on the right
side. supplemented by the good results
from the prison farm. The directors have
managed the prison systematically and
In the late Warden Haddox they had an
Official whose talents were recognized at
meetings of the National Prison Reform
Association.
There is a hot struggle to get on the
new board of directors. John A. Bloyd of
Moundsville. who has served for three
terms. looks good to walk the plank.
Likewise Harry Shaw, who may or may
not be confirmed by the present session of
the senate. Clark Hamilton. the Wheeling
director. is willing to succeed himself, but
in these as In all other appointments at
his disposal Governor-elect Glasscock is
keeping mum until he takes hold officially
Down in Charleston the same old bills
to tax coal, oil and gas production, regu-
late or prohibit the liquor traffic and do
other things apparently demanded by the
body polite are being introduced. The
temperance people want statutory pro-
hibition II they can't get prohibition
amendment to the constitution. and they
want a rigid county option bill in the
meantime. The liquor people will fight
for model option bills. socalled.
The democratic minority is protesting
vainly at President Forman's refusal to
appoint Senator Joe Smith on a committee
until the contest for his seat is decided,
and there is a report that Smith will be
sent to the tall timber at the end of the
session. for he would be a holdover two
years hence. when a United States sena-
torship is at stake.