Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-06-22


maximum limit for practically all
crimes and that alone will guide
the board. For instance, in robbery
cases the law fixes not to exceed
ten years in Jail. II district Judge
sentences a man to six years that
man will stay the full ten years If
the board thinks he ought to stay.
The district judges have absolutely
no authority to fix sentences definite
ly and they ought to stop the prac-
tice. 1t only tends to create trouble
with prisoners who are given determ-
mate sentences"
Increases Cost to State.
The policy Of the state board of
parole in making prisoners In the
penitentiary and the reformatory
serve longer sentences, now than
they did under the old determinate
sentence law, has increased cost OF
keeping prisoners by s37,4SS in four
years. In those same four years the
number of commitments to the two
institutions have been decreasing at
the rate Of forty per year.
The sum of sos per year is allow
ed by the legislature for the keep OF
each prisoner. This is the minimum
With the increase In the number OF
prisoners in the institutions each
year, 1t is seen that continuance of
the policy of the board means pro-
portionate increase in the total cost
each year.
Added to this expense is the $40
per day which the board receives.
$1,000 per year for the secretary's
salary, 1925 per month for the state
parole agent, and SIS per month for
each of two stenographers. Then
there are office expenses and travel.
ing expenses. The board Of parole
meets four times year to pass on
applications for parole. The state
board of control has entire charge of
purchasing the supplies for the two
institutions. buying the clothing for
the inmates, hiring the help at the
institutions and working the proper
ties. The parole board has nothing
to do but pass on cases.
1t has been suggested that the pa
role board be abolished and that the
board of control be given power to
parole prisoners the same as they
do the inmates of the industrial
schools and insane hospitals. The
control board does everything else
about the prisons but parole the in.
mates.
Opposes Blodgett's Release.
John Fletcher assistant attorney
general. is in Fort Dodge to contest
the application of d. T. Blodgett for
release from the state penitentiary
at Fort Madison. Blodgett filed with
the United States district court ap,
plication for writ of habeas corpus
He has raised novel question for
the attorney generals office to meet
He declares that he was put twice in
jeopardy for the same crime and is
therefore entitled to release because
his imprisonment is violation OF
the United States constitution.
He was tried at Boone on the
charge of uttering forged instru
ment and In Des Moines on the
charge of forging the instrument
They were the same Instrument but
the crimes are separate and distinct
Federal Judge Reed win hear the
cas-.
Van TasseI Must Serve Out Sentence
Hopes Of an imprisoned man were
blasted when the parole board refused
to parole l.. r. Van Tassel, serving
life sentence for killing his young
wife fifteen years ago. The crime was
committed near lonia, in Chickasaw
county. A skilled Chicago detective
claimed to have secured a confession
from Van Tassel (who always claim.
ed his innocence). and upon the evi.
dence of the detective and circum.
stantial evidence. Van Tassel was
convicted. The parole board, review.
ing the case, says that the evidence
shows that Van Tassel committed the
murder. disregarding the alleged con.
fession, and that the law is the
law" The board refuses to shor
mercy on the theory that Van Tassel
has suffered enough and should be
allowed to enter the world and live
a life OF usefulness.
Tom Watson Case Continued.
The state parole board announced
that 1t will not take the Tom Watso;
case under consideration until the
July term. This Is the case which
has excited Editor Brant OF the Iowa
City Republican. Additional evidence
has come to the attention of the
board and the members desire time
in which to investigate that evidence.
Governor Looks Into Thomas Case.
Governor Carroll has asked At.
torney General Cosson to determine |
whether special notice must be Civ
en-, by publication. of the application
of Charlie Thomas for parole. |
There seems to be some conflict in
the law and the governor is anxious
that nothing be overlooked which |
will in any way interfere with the |
grind of justice. II this notice Is not
required, the case will be sent to the |
state parole board at once. It viii |
be sent Immediately upon any publ.
cation required.
Blodgett Wants Out of Prison.
d. T. Blodgett, notorious in court
circles in Iowa. has appealed to the
federal court to help him out OF the
state penitentiary at Fort Madison. |
Attorney General Cosson received no. |