The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1910-07-28
CAN NOT POINT
WITH PRIDE
HdrmOn'S Administration Of State
Institutions No Triumph.
CASE OF THE pEHITENTIARY

Under Democratic Management Es-
capes Have Been Numerous-Ru-
mors of Irregularities In Food and
Coal Contracts-other Appointees
Under Charges.
In the early days of the Harmon
administration the friends and ad-
mirers of the governor were loud in
their praise of the splendid, fearless
business administration" which was
to follow in all of the state institu-
tions.
Particularly vehement was the
Democratic criticism of the peniten-
tiary management, and it was to the
reorganization of the prison board
that Judge Harmon gave his first at
tention. The Republican manage,
ment of the big penal institution was
described as brutal" Magazine
writer's and theoretical economists
invoked much maudlin sentiment for
the unfortunate convicts, so when
one had finished reading the Demo
cratic criticisms of Warden Gould
the conclusion was irresistible that
the real criminals at the penitentiary
We're the wardens, guards. deputies
and turnkeys, who preyed upon the
martyred victims of social mistakes.
Grand March Of convicts.
Warden Jones entered upon his du.
ties with visions of golden rule pol
icy. The lure of kindness was to win
back to the dress suit realm of soct
ETY. those who had so unfortunately
stumbled, and who now realize their
fall with poignant grief. There is a
middle course between brutality and
mushiness, which Warden Jones ap-
pears now to be seeking; but WI e
he was giving himself to contelnpla-
tion of the uplift of the lowly, lis in
efficient or careless subordinates
were permitting prisoners to escape
with unprecedented frequency Some
thing like dozen convicts found
their way 'oVer the walls" to liberty
since the Harmon administration as.
sumed responsibility for the pen"
The luck appears to be shifting
the tide has ceased to ebb. The other
day two young wayfareTs who were
stealing a ride In a carload of brick
awOke to find themselves inside the
penitentiary walls. The car had been
switched into the prison yard while |
they slept. Warden Jones was so |
pleased that he gave them each a
good breakfast and sent word to their
folks.
Fuel and Food Rumors.
But if escaping convicts were all |
there was to the penitentiary story, |
no more serious criticism could be |
be offered than that of inexperience
and ineff1ciency. But there come
from the big gray prison rumors and
rumbles of graft in contracts. There
IS disquieting story of coal JOB,
and a threatened exposure which
caused a Cancelled contract; of ma
lipulation of food contracts, result.
ng in dietary SO inferior that the
,onVicts went on strike
Nor is the lack Of management un-
Ter the great business administra-
ion" of Governor Harmon confined
o the penitentiary. There are COM
'laints and protests from other
Iuarters. The Xenia home has been
overing a scandal against which the
'oard of women managers, and some
t the male board members, have
lied protest with the governor. De-
1and has been made for the dismis-
al of the man whom Governor Har-
ION placed in charge.
At the Columbus State hospital the
onduct of another of the governors 4
ppointees has been the subject of
evere criticism, but powerful infiu-
noes back of his appointment are
eing exerted to prevent a scandal.
omplaint has been lodged with the
Overnor, but it is being considered
formally in the hope of covering 2
up.