The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-12-19
JOURNAL STORY
OEsP|CAbLE LIE"
W. Frank Knox Says Late Thomas
]. Navin Was In Hearty Accord
With Gov Elect Osborn's Plan.

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. Dec.
19--W. Frank Knox, editor OF the 500
News. and chairman OF the Republi-
can state central committee, prints
the following editorial, which is the
official version of the attitude that
had been taken by Gov.-elect Osborn
regarding the Jackson prison affair,
and also the position that Thomas j.
Navin took before his death. The
editorial says the Detroit Journal $
declaration that Gov. Osborns de
nand for Mr.. Navin's resignation
broke the latters heart, is unworthy
despicable and utterly without founda.
ton" The statement follows:
The attempt OF the Detroit Journal
TO attribute the sudden and most re.
grettable demise of Thomas j. Navin
or Detroit to disappointment over the
course pursued by Governor Osborn in
connection with Jackson prison mat
ters is unworthy, wholly despicabe
and utterly without foundation. MIR.
Navin was deeply interested in the
success of the incoming administra-
ton, particularly as ii related to the
management of Jackson prison. He
recognized the need there oil a com
plete change in management. In the
presence of the writer and following
the election of Chase S. Osborn as
governor, he declared that IT, in the
working of the plans for the rehabili.
tation OF that institution. Governor
Osborn desired new board of con-
troll, his resignation would be prompt
ly rendered and his support of the adj
ministration and his interest in Jack
son prison would in no wise be lessen
ed thereby.
At a conference held in Detroit
about a week ago Governor Osborn
and Mr.. Navin discussed Jackson
prison affairs at length and 1t was
agreed at that conference that the
resignation of the entire board was
advisable. and Mr.. Navin agreed that
his resignation would be rendered the
governor Immediately after Mr.. Os-
born assumed office. The reasons
which actuated Mr.. Navin In tender
ing his resignation were most patri-
otto and disinterested and reflected
great honor upon him. He proposed to
make a. great sacrifice for the public
service. Had death not interviewed
and the course agreed upon been fol
lowed, Mr.. Navin would have won by
his action statewide approval. His
patriotic self-sacrifice for the public
interest would have commanded uni.
versal respect and honor. However,
the Detroit Journal, with an utter and
complete disregard of the public In
terest, with a similar disregard OF Mr..
Navins feelings, published a wholly
unwarranted and foundationless story
that Governor Osborn had DeDanded
Mr.. Navin's- resignation. This at once
defeated a part Of the plan TO which
Mr.. Navin had agreed and gave to
the whole matter an air OF compul-
sion which was utterly foreign to the
arrangements.
Therefore, If the administration
policy toward Jackson prison matters
had the slightest influence In hasten
ing Tom Navins demise, which Is
most improbable, 1t was wholly and
entirely due to the publication In the
Detroit Journal of a sensational story
which misrepresented Governor Os-
born's attitude toward Mr.. Na<in,
which put a construction upon the
affair which was obviously painful TO
Mr.. Navin and which made difficult IL
not impossible the carrying out OF the
plan to which Mr.. Navin had agreed."