The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-09-18
BY ALoYs1Us COLL.

Stan Correspondent IN flttSpuFSH
Dispatch.
1t is rare that q suicide is not a
self sacrifice Of life in vain. But
the self destruction OF Fred Fizer. a
convict in the West Virginia pentten-
tiary at Moundsvtlle, is responsible
for the inauguration of quick and
sweeping reforms, not only in that
sinstitution,,.b but also for fastened ac-
ton for reform by Governor Henry
Drury Hatfield in all the allied III
stituti6ns of the state. These re-
forms, however; it must be under
stood, have been a part of the admin
~istration concern since Governor Hat
field! first took, office, and the death
of the convict did little more than
hasten action on what had already
.been promulgated as the policy of
tile governor and the board Of con-
troll.
This policy is contained in the
broad statement that following the
general trend of government for way
ward sons and daughters, humanity
iis made the dominant keynote IN all
punishment for crime, and that the
heart Of West Virginia is consulted
in the Christening of the man or the
g&woman whos.breaks the law. Gov
ernor Hatfield is not only a progress
sive governor; lie is q trained physt-
clan and surgeon. More than any
other governor Of the state, proba-
tb1y. he understands that all conrtnc-
SSdent in a penal institution has not
gon4g its effect upon tile moral att1-
tudego Of the convict, but also It's phy-
seal and mental reflection. II Ia
boring along this hypothesis, Gov
ernlor Hatfield, it will be seen in this
story OF reform, has decided to have
West Virginia treat its convicts more
like the .just man who falls seven
times a day" than the %inscnate felon
WHO is externally lost to his fellow
beings in this world and the angels
In the world to come.
Letter Struggled Out.
There came through the mails 10
sfhe editorttofu Tile Pittsburgh Dis
patch not dong ago a letter which
had been smuggled out OF the
Moundsville penitcntiary unknown to
she authorities at that institution.
This letter was unsigned, but was
written on aS-letterhead OF the sec
one Glass; stationary which Is sup
titled to5convicts for their correspond
ence. In this letter it was stated
that Fred Fizer, a fellow convict. was
Unable to make task that Is to do
the amount OF labor required in a
day, in this instance, in the SHIRT
factory; that on account OF MS lali-
ure Fizer was placed in the u
peon," with his wrists handcuifed TO
Il afull& ring for several days. ana
that when the guard went to his cell
one morning to bring him out for an
other day Of this torture, Fizer was
found to have hanged himself In his
cell. making use OF his under CLOTH
ing Ig which he twisted into a rope.
This suicide occurred before the
newly appointed warden, NJ. z.
White. had taken charge. the let,
tor was taken to Charleston ana
shown to Governor Hatfield. He was
at Sonce vitality interested. A nota-
StfonRon the reports which the warden
fs compelled to submit at regular IN.
steryalsSto the governor and board Of
Control contained the bare informa-
tion that Fred Fizer had committed
Suicide; in his CELL"
Governor Gave Orders.
ssoongafter ] was indicted into Of
fiee; said Governor Hatfield, ~ made
4 personal visit to Moundsville. !
found certain cells in the main cor
ridor which were partially darkened'
fhe spanking machine in a corner
towerland the bull rings. MY orders
we're that these were not TO be used
insthe future, as investigation show
ca that a certain convict, Howard
lad been spanked" on the machine
With leather paddles till his tlesa
Mas bruised. 4 also gave orders athat
tie conSiets Sweregt sbe 8privileged to
write Il me OF the members OF the
boardsofeontro or the pardon board;
NEHN HNaHEN