The Detroit times., 1911-04-19
Newspapers Say Russell
, Is Victim Of Political Plot

FLINT. Mich, April 19.-The Jour.
nal, one OF the strongest Independent
papers in the state. editorially takes
the legislature TO account for is
sentimental action In the Marquette
prison investigation and for the cod
ding OF desperate criminals, to which
IL says there is limit. The Journal
takes the Journal and Free Press,
the two Stair newspapers In Detroit,
sharply to task for their most con-
temptible and shameless methods.
1t says editorially:
"Sentimentality held full sway In
the house OF representatives at Lam
sing last Thursday night, when the
minority report Of the Marquette pris-
on investigation committee was adopt.
ed by vote Of SO to 29. Calm and
conservative consideration Of ques-
ton OF vital importance to the state
and society was swept aside by i'm
passionate and fearful pleadings for
Justice" in behalf of the murderers,
assaulters and other criminals who
are confined within the walls OF the
branch state prison at Marquette.
Tongues attuned to eloquence and
pathos worked havoc with the emo
tons of two-thirds of the tender
hearted legislators, who were aroused
to sympathy and resentment by the
narrowing tales Of alleged wrongs
committed against the convicts by the
prison management as they were re-
cited with thrilling and soul-stirring
descriptive power, and when the ques-
ton was put TO a vote the accusers
- 70 - ha than
enough votes to accomplish the end
they had In view.
The Marquette prison Is no Sun
day school and many OF the men con-
fined therein are not little boys In the
kindergarten. To this institution
have been sent the worst criminals
and the most dangerous types OF de-
generates which have been convicted
OF crimes in the various courts OF the
state. There are men so desperate
in this institution that there Is moth
ing they will not attempt they are
sullen. morose, treacherous and des-
perate Warden Russell has been
dealing with this class for years, and
yet because a minority report Of n
committee OF the merest amateurs
recommends his dismissal the house
OF representatives, with precipitate
action that suggests a debate In the
first primary. decides that he IL not a
At person TO be entrusted with their
custody.
The Journal would like In this
connection to turn attention to the
action OF two newspapers in this state
which have been suffering from a bad
case OF hysteria over this Marquette
investigation. Their reports indicate
an intense desire to paint Warden
Russell in the blacklist colors. We
have noticed I'm these same publica.
tons the stories OF little boys being
cut TO pieces. and their bodies left in
back alleys; We have read under
screaming headlines the revolving
details OF criminal assaults on women
and girls, and we have seen in the
editorial columns OF these publica
tions frantic appeals 10 the police 70
capture those guilty OF these horrible
outrages.
yet on the testimony OF these men
bear in mind the fact that the ties
timony against Warden Russell comes
from the criminals themselves-these
newspapers are shouting themselves
hoarse in an attempt to browbea'
Gov. Osborn into removing the war
Gen az Marquette. BY the most con
temptible and shameless methods
1 they are trying to force action, hold