New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-27
{. '. COLLINS RESIGNS.
e,uerintendent Of Prisons to
" Futer Automobile Business.
INVESTIGATION TO GO ON
Noted Criminologist, Mr.. Col
= Inns introduced Many Reforms
in Penal Institutions.


Albany April. 2s-cornehus '. Collins
fo- thirteen years superintendent
,,.ons. resigned to-day. He gave no
., his formal letter. He left here
r,.,~oit LAST night on business in con-
!" with an automobile agency which
=. has taken over -
o- Dix asked Mr. Collins for his
.,sro,ion. as The Tribune at that time
.vc,usively. Superintendent Collins
",- 60 - resign. He told the Governor
.,-h a request was an injustice 70
a,s his resignation would reflect on
~ r.rsonallv and his efficiency as a
public ofioiaL ,
covs-nor Dix conveyed 10 him the sub
.-.,ee Of various charges laid before him
.,a fashion and another Mr.. Collins
,,,a Ne would present facts and figures TO
- that his administration had been eff
-. and economical. Pending that he re-
.,.s eativ 20 resign and the Governor
ga N, press the matter further ar that
tine
ry.,ravs- h soon sfterward appointed
,.r,,sr, Church Osborn his legal adviser.
- George Van Kennen. OF Ogdensourg.
,,.c,sl Investigators 70 inquire into prison
.5r,inistration. among other things. These
,,y.s-lrsrors have been hard az work ever
g,,ce They have taken testimony tending
:. snow that there was politics OF a petty
rider in the furnishing OF supplies 10
sing sing How far up the line this ex-
ended in tho prison department has not
80 discovered vet by the investigators.
Clinton Inouiry Mt Yet Over.
9, clinton prison they heard that coal
.,,npsnv in which John F. OBrien.
,-or,inert Republican politician and
.orr,srlv Secretary Of State. was interested
lad landed G large number Of coal con-
,-scts. and that il had furnished cheaper
s,,ss Of coal in some instances. than the
Contracts called for, being paid, though. at
,As contract price. The investigation IS
-ot vet over Mr.. Van Kennen said that
.sa resignation of Mr.. Collins would make
20 change in the Investigators plan.
7, was understood among politicians
ssre when Governor Dix asked Mr.. Collins
% resign that Daniel Z. Conway. formerly
vavor - Troy was an active candidate
s,- superinterdent of Prisons. Some OF
- Information which made the Governor
ask for the RESIGNATION and later decide to
Rave tn department Investigated vas
sv,possd 20 have come from him. He Is
tsjrg mentioned now as possible APP
,of7tee Others spoken Of for the place
are Colonel Joseph +. Scott, superintendent
u tho Flmira Reformatory. and Thomas
Mott Osborne.
all
Politician He was for years the lieuten-
AZ, Of frank <. Black in Rensselaer,
County. and recently has been titular
ksder ~ The organization there, although
Governor Slack retained much influence.
Governor Black appointed Mr.. Collins 10
tie prison superintendent. The latter
held Office under Governors Roosevelt,
0de'i. higgins. Hughes. White and Dix.
20 was reappointed by Governor Hughes.
FITS term would not have expired until
pr The salary is 5000 a year.
I'll. Collins 81, q member OF the Repub-
az state Committee He took an active
Part iu tho campaign last fail and was
Theodore Rooseveits right hand man at
tide Republican state Convention at Sara
t0sa when Colonel Roosevelt wrested the
temporary Craftsmanship from NicePres-
dent sherman, the candidate Of the old
Guard forces. led by William Barnes Jr..
TOW chairman Of the Republican State
Committee.
suaervision Over Four Prisons.
Superintendent Collins had supervision
OYER tire four state prisons-Sing Sing,
Auburn. Clinton and Great Meadows-and
o. the Natteawan and Dannemora State
Hospitals for the Criminal Insane. He is
> member Of the state Parole Board. and
vas the chairman Of tho Commission on
New Prisons appointed by Governor
Hughes 70 select the site FOR the new prison
20 take the place Of Sing Sing.
As z crininoloeist. Superintendent Collins
sas vel known throughout the United
States and abroad. During his long SER
vice az the head OF New Works Prison De-
psrrnent he made many reforms. He abol-
isaed the 'ockstep. striped clothing and the
clipping Of convicts hair. Tin plates and
cups in mess halls we're replaced by crock
cry a comprehensive school system for
prisoners was established in each prison;
classification rules were enforced 50 that
first offenders were kept apart from con
Gmed criminals, and honor embiems were
adopted each prisoners conduct record
being indicated by chevrons on the left
sleeve O. MS coat He inaugurated the fin
-sr print system Of Identification and
system Of numbering underwear by which
each prisoner receives from the laundry the
same garments he turned in. competent
dentists and oculists were engaged 10 give
ne inmates teeth and eyes proper atten-
,oa. and prisoners were clothed in summer
n lightweight. washable suits.
Tie output q the prison Industries in
c-sssed from 20 in 1905 20 approximate
Il ,.oo 90 in 1910 In the same period the
number Of records in the bureau Of identi-
tcst!on increased from, 24ooo 10 10000
through legislation recommended by su-
peri.tendent Collins. Dannemora State
Hospital was opened and The segregation
.: the convicted from the unconvicted in
sare prisoners was accomplished; well
equipped hospital accommodations for
tuberculosis patients were provided. as
RESULT Q, which the prison death rate was
greatly reduced; the indetermina-e sentence
and parole systems were extended and
other progressive STEPS taken in moderniz-
Ing NE prison system.
Detroit April 26.-cornel!us Y. Collins
Eho has resigned The state superintend-
.ucy OF prisons in New York. was very non
eonnittal when interviewed here to-day.
Well the Governor wanted the job for
sone one" was All that he could be in
fucec TO say In regard 70 his resignation
WARDEN BENHAM TO QUIT