The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-04-19
CALL RUSSELL
AFFAIR OUTRAGE
Flint and Pontiac Newspapers Say
Warden Is Victim of Despicable
Political Conspiracy.

papers In the state, editorially, takes
the legislature to account for Its
| sentimental action In the Marquette
prison investigation and for the cod
ding of desperate criminals, to which
II says there is a limit. The Journal
is in sympathy with the proposal OF
the Detroit Times, Grand Rapids Her.
aid. and other newspapers, for an In
dependent competent commission or
reputable men to make thorough in
vestigation OF Warden Russell and the
cruelty charges. The Journal takes
the Journal and Free Press. the two
Stair newspapers in Detroit, sharply
TO task for their most contemplate
and shameless methods" II says edi-
torially:
"Sentimentality held full sway In
the house of representatives at Lam
sing lest Thursday night, when the
minority report OF the Marquette pris-
on investigation committee was adopt
ed by vote of SO to 29. Calm ana
conservative consideration OF a 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
tions OF two-thirds of the tender
hearted legislators. who we're 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
of Warden Russell had more than
enough votes to accomplish the end
they had in view.
"The Marquette prison Is no Sun
day schol 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 80 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 or a
committee Of the merest amateurs
recommends his dismissal the house
Of representatives, with precipitate
action that suggests zdehate In the
first primary, decides that he is 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 bad
case Of hysteria over this Marquette
investigation. Their reports indicate
an intense desire to paint Warden
Russell In the blackest colors. We
have noticed in these same publica-
tions 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 to the police to
capture those guilty Of these horrible
outrages.
yet on the testimony Of these men
bear in mind the fact that the tes-
timony against Warden Russell comes
from the criminals themselves-these
newspapers are shouting themselves
hoarse in an attempt to browbeat
Gov. Osborn into removing the war
den at Marquette. By the most con-
temptible and shameless methods
they are trying to force action, hold
ing out the threat that the governor
will be charged with insincerity In
his campaign pledges IL he does not
act at their behest at this moment.
The presumption with which these
newspapers attempt to speak for the
people of Michigan Is the most I'M
pudent piece OF arrogance and pre-
tense that has been witnessed In the
state In many a month.
"In being moved to sympathy for
the desperate characters who would
not even have been subjected to the
restraint of handouts had not better
counsel prevailed in the adoption OF
the Ogg anti-corporal punishment bill
Yesterday, those members OF the
house who voted for the removal or
Warden Russell and the entire Mar
ouette prison hoard evidently over
looked the anguish, the suffering and
the misery that these men have
caused others. Had they had before
them at the time they were asked to
| vote on the Marquette prison matter
some of the hideous pictures OF the
| crimes committed. possibly they
| might have experienced revulsion
OF sentiment that would have pre-
vented them from yielding to the i'm
pulse of passing emotion. But the
victims OF these flends In human form
we're forgotten in the impassioned
and fearful pleadings OF Thursday
night and only the criminal was re-
membered as worthy Of considera.
tion."
| Pontiac Press Says:
| 'If you are one of those being car.
ried off your feet because OF the hor.
rible cruelty and barbarian methods
being attributed to Warden Russell
by the Detroit Journal and Free Press
and reflected in the efforts OF the
Hon. Mr.. Ogg and his legislative co
terie, pause and suspend your jude-
ment. Governors Warner and Osborn
and Senator Townsend have each IN
turn. undergone the grilling fire OF
this bi-pestiferous combination, all
because they have not interpreted
the political scriptures of this state
according to the gospel OF Messrs.