The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-04-15
WANTS CITIZENS
TO PROBE PRISON
Warden Russell Sends Request Ia
Gov, Osborn After House De-
mands His Removal.

LANSING. Mich, April 15.-Those
who expected a militant message from
the house 10 the governor, demanding
action on the report condemning War
den Russell OF Marquette. and cor
poral punishment, were disappointed
yesterday. when the resolution was
sent to the desk by Rep. Straight or
the minority OF the Marquette In
vestigating committee.
The resolution merely instructed
the clerk to transmit TO the governor
the report, together with a message
stating the vote OF the house. The
resolution was adopted.
Warden Russell sent to the govern
or yesterday afternoon. q communica-
ton asking for another investigation,
to be conducted by citizens OF the
state OF such high standing that there
could be no suspicion OF political or
other influence. The communication
reads:
April II, 1911.
Hon. Chase s, Osborn,
Governor OF Michigan.
Executive Office,
Lansing, Michigan.
My Dear Sir-Two years ago legis-
9ated the branch prison at Marquette.
OF which am warden, and two months
after the investigation was made, at
the very close OF the session. brought
In a report which grossly misrepre-
scented conditions at the prison, and
lodged against me charges that are
utterly without foundation. and abso-
lutely unsubstantiated even by the tes-
timony given by convicts examined
under oath behind closed doors. a copy
OF which testimony will be submitted
for your inspection.
The house OF representatives OF the
present legislature recently directed q
special investigation OF the prison by
a committee OF I'VE members appointed
for the purpose. which committee has
submitted majority and minority re-
which are undoubtedly familiar TO you.
At the sitting OF the 67th day OF the
session OF the house the minority re-
port bringing against me grave charges
OF the brutal treatment OF prisoners,
and other irregularities on my part as
warden, was adopted as a substitute
for the majority report by vote of
SO to 20.
This report was based solely upon
the statement OF convicts confined In
the prison. most OF whom were serv-
ing under third and fourth convictions.
but whose testimony was accepted by
the minority OF the committee as con-
elusive OF my delinquency.
do not care to stand under the Inn
putauons cast upon my conduct as
warden by the minority report. and as
II is evident to me that cannot expect
fair treatment from the house OF rep
resentatives under existing political
conditions In this state, i appeal to you
to name a commission composed OF
citizens OF the state OF the highest
class who are interested In politics
only through a sense OF civic duty,
and not through desire for office or
power. to make a thorough investiga-
N m M "a
make report of their findings to you
and TO the people OF the state of Michi-
gan.
ask this favor OF you as governor
OF this great state as measure OF sim
pie justice. and In order that the truth
may be placed before the people OF
Michigan regarding my administration
OF affairs OF the branch prison at Mar
Very respectfully,
(Signed) JAS. RUSSELL,
Warden.
Gov. Osborn will not remove War
den Russell. He says:
Il have known Russell for % years
and members of the board tor nearly
as long time" said the governor. II
have visited the prison many times,
sometimes spending two or three days
there, and am In a position to know
conditions as well as the members OF
this committee who were there only
week. | will back Warden Russell,
for think him capable man for the
position. With the class of convicts
who have been consigned to him, 1 do
not believe any one could have done
otherwise and kept control Of the
prisoners.
Il am in favor of the majority re.
port" said the governor emphatically.
But the majority report states that
the punishment OF prisoners has at
times been overdone," was suggested.
1T may have In some instances. be-
cause no one Is perfect, but not in a
degree to demand condemnation OF
Russell" said the governor.
Russell wishes the appointment OF
a commission of nine or 10 unbiased
men to make another Investigation
He has named in I've list Milton A.
McRae, Abner e. Larned, z. II. Doyle,
]. l.. Hudson, Rev. Myron Adams and
Ben s. Hanchett.
II do not think that such an In.
vestigation is necessary, but IL Rus
sell makes the request directly to
me, suppose that shall grant it,"
said the governor.