Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-01-03
BRIBERY.
tcontinued from Page one0

treatment in the penitentiary, citing
an instance when he was alleged to
have been placed in solitary confine-
naent in a dungeon for giving a SICK
boy about to be discharged paitry
sum of money
The publication so incensed the
warden that he invited the Atlanta
newspaper men to the prison to show
them Just where Morse was kept in
solitary confinement and to explain the
circumstances Editor Seeley re-
sponded in person as the representa-
tive of his paper.
Surrounded by newspaper men as
sembled in his office, Warden Mover
read a statement he had prepared an
swering the accusations made in See
Iey's paper. He declared that Morse
had been kept in solitary confinement
for two DAYS in May, 1910. for refusing
to divulee the source of about SAC
found in his possession
AS soon as Morse did SO lie was re-
leased. ne said He showed the Wis
itors a fair sized well-lighted and we'll
ventilated room in which he said Morse
was kept.
II question the accuracy OF some of
your statements said Editor Seeley,
81 have been reliably informed that
Morse had no mattress and no blanket
and had to sleep on the iron Stats with
only his coat under his head"
THAT is absolutely untrue retorted
the warden, angrily, who gave you
such information"
Mr. Morse himself, and the ply
stefan attending him at the time
The warden called in two deputies il
charge at the time and both deelar-
ed they would take oath that Morse
had both mattress and blanket.
Mr. Seeley asked the warden why,
ii he was not prejudiced against
Morse, he had written to the attorney
general when Morse was removed to
Fort Mcpherson hospital that ''he did
not seem then to me to have the ap-
pearancc of a man whose condition
was critical
Mr. Meyer declared he had not made
any report regarding Morse since his
transfer except to transmit reports
from the post surgeon.
"Yeu have been prejudiced against
Morse ever since that Gas stock deal"
charged Mr. Seeley, land I think your
treatment of him has been reprehen-
sible.'
lyon are at liberty to print any
facts in your possession regarding
Morse's treatment in this prison. re-
t,rted the warden. but I warn You
to stick to facts or / shall hold you
personally responsible
THE Jury" wanted to know about
That Gas stock DEAL
Mr.. Mover said that on March II.
1910 soon after the banker became Il
prisoner, he gave Morse permission to
send 0 cypher message to New York.
The next day, he said. he reported the
matter to the attorney general and
was instructed not to permit Morse to
send messages again. Some time later,
he said. Morse came into his office
and told him he had made $1,000 "out
of that Gas stock deal and wanted
him to have half"
Forget you ever told me that, Morse,
I said to him. declared the warden.
"sAnd do not ever say anything like that
to me again.
Mr.. Meyer said that this incident was
brought out when the prison was invest
gated. last spring, by one of the most
competent officials of the department
Mr.. Seeley asked the warden if he
made out by Mrs. Morse to Morse which
had found its way to the department,
Mr.. Meyer replied that he had never
Heard of the check until 1t was shown
TO him at the Investigation He said It
was being held for Morse by one of the
clerks
The offence for which Morse was kept
In solitary confinement was described ny
the warden as follows
A deputy saw nurse pass $i.25 and u
pearl-handled knife to Morse and both
were ARRESTED" The warden did not be-
lieve the story Morse told as to how he
had obtained them from another prisoner
and ordered him into confinement. When
Mrs. Morse called and learned her hus-
band was in trouble she told the warden
she had slipped about 10 81 bills into
Morse's pocket. Later Morse confessed
TO having received the SIS from his wife
and about $50 from his business partner,
In addition to s. from discharged pris-
oner, which he had already admitted. He
said he had given the money to another
prisoner for safe keeping. The money
was recovered and Morse taken from iso-
lation
He was reduced to second grade and
lost 20 days of his good time"