The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-18
PROBE BY STUBS
Ex-Governor Insists Upon
"Pen" Investigation.
People Should Know if Cruelty
Is Practiced.

To the Editor of the State Journal:
Last week 1 offered one hundred
dollars reward for reliable, specific
proof that Warden Codding has been
guilty Of using cruel and tnhuman
punishment, as described In certain
newspaper reports and editorials and
this proposition is as good as gold
bond.
1 don't care to make wager or bet
with Warden Botkin and shall insist
that the entire investigation be kept
absolutely free from politics and open
to the public.
Warden Botkin's public confession
that the prisoners under his admins
tration have been subjected to cruel
and inhuman torture Tor almost one
year without his knowledge indicates
that the serious, vital management OF
the prison has been turned over TO
subordinates
/ want to see a public, searching
and unlimited investigation of the
management Of the penitentiary and
especially the punishments admins
tered during four years under Warden
Codding and eleven months under
Warden Botkin by such men as Nc
Claughry. Blackmar. Crumbine, Shell
don, Coburn and men OF their type
who have only an unselfish interest In
the prisoners and both scientific and
practical knowledge Of prison investi-
cations and methods.
The people are entitled to know
how their institutions are being man.
aged. If Warden Botkin is doing good
work and making an efficient officer,
he deserves the support of every good
citizen. If his management is as bad
and inefficient as the auditors and
other reports indicate, he ought to be
removed at once.
/ hereby agree to pay to any charit-
able institution designated by the COM
mittee that conducts this investigation,
one hundred dollars upon satisfactory
evidence that during Mr.. Codding's
administration Of the penitentiary as
warden cruel and unusual and un-
necessary punishment was administer
ed to the prisoners, or upon satisfac
tory proof that the prisoners were
bucked, or bucked and gagged with a
half inch steel gag, that injured or
lacerated the mouth, or other parts
of the person. or for satisfactory proof
that the water cure was used as a
punishment, or that the straight jacket
or gag was used as a punishment.
l refuse to accept Warden Botkin's
plea of guilty that during his admin
istration cruel and inhuman punish
ments have been administered, but de-
mand as a part of this investigation
that the details of the punishment of
Wolfe, Brophy and a score Of other
prisoners during Botkin's administra-
ton be given in evidence to the pub
lie.
1t is further understood that 1 and
those assisting me in this investigation
shall have access to the penitentiary,
its books and records, and the privi-
lege to interview officers and pris-
oners.
That the offer by me may be of
value to the people of the state of
Kansas, insist that Botkin's admins
tration be compared with that of Mr..
Codding, not only along lines Of pun
ishment, but as to discipline, as to gem
eral treatment Of the prisoners, as to
the health Of the prisoners during both
administrations. as to the expenditure
OF funds, the amount of coal mined,
brick made and actual work done by
both administrations. number of cases
Of typhoid fever and other sick
ness during each administration,
the number and condition of the tu-