New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-29
Seven Counts in True
Bills Returned by
the Grand Jury.
IMMORTALITY
is ONE CHARGE
81 Have No Fear Of Re
suit" Warden Declares;
1T Is Peoples Fight"

Thomas Mott Osborne, warden O.
Sing Sing, was indicted in charges o.
perjury and neglect Of duty by th'
Westehester Grand Jury yesterday at
ternoon. The two indictments returned
contain seven counts. One Of the counts
, charging neglect alleges personal i'm
morality with a number of prisoners.
On The question of indicting the war
den the grand jury stood Il TO 6, th'
Affirmative having two more votes thar
the number needed.
State Superintendent of Prisons Riley
announced last night that he would re
moved Osborne from Office as soon a:
he could find a successor.
The charges in the neglect indictment
against Osborne are:
That he absented himself from the
prison, in being on duty there but foul
days q week
That he was neglectful in performing
MS duties so that there were assaults
within the prison.
That he neglected TO report such as
ssults.
That at least four persons were per-
Lifted TO visit the death house in vio-
lstlOn Of law, when Charles Becker
va. there confined. IN this count the
persons named are Joseph Rocoh
Thomas ]. (Fat) Alger. Joseph Murphy
and Samuel trook.
immortality Is Charged.
That he allowed certain unfit In
mates Of Sing Sing 70 control the dis
eipline Of the prison, its mansgemert
and its policies.
That he failed to properly protect
the convicts under his control and per
mitted lax discipline generally.
That he personally vas guilty OF
gross immortality with Paul Nogei,
James Connely, Max Kleinber-. Henry
Delara, Sidney Walsh and others.
The perjury indictment charges tnat
one month after a convict named har-
vey had told him immortality was com,
mon in the prison the warden had
sworn before DR. Diedling that there
was no immortality IN the prison.
When these indictments were h0nde'
up 70 Justice Norschauser. Andrew bu.
chsnan. foreman OF the jury. asked that
u be permitted % adjourn 20 January
II. a. II expected there might De olnri
matters 10 would like 20 consider. ih'
request was granted.
Warden Osborne FIRST learned OF the
finding Of the indictments late 900 inc
afternoon In the prison when he, Va
talking with a friend over the prooaOie
action Of the grand jury. viewed III
light Of the fact that n had refused 10
hear other Osborne witnesses.
i have reasons 10 think il mas &C.
cided % indict.' he said. c.
A. that moment ne was told OF lnt
Indictment and that the District At
tcruey's ofhce would not ask for war
rant IL be would agree TO be in court
to-m0rTow morning. The warden de'
elined the offer. and later, after con
ference with counsel, arranged 90 be IN
court az 10 o'clock this morning WIN
bondsmcn. These will be OF the most
Prominent residents Iu Ncstchestel
COUNTY. many OF whom tciephoned 10
the prison last evening offering any
sid they might be able 20 render
Gloom at Sing Sing.
The immediate effect OF the news
irom White Plains a. the prison was
70 cast a gloom over the institution
ior neW5 Of the outside world that ln
any way affects the prison travels last
within its walls This time the prison
wireless was unusually speedy. and y
vas deEpondent crowd OF prisoner
nat went 70 their cells after the day
WORK was done.
To counteract this the warden ordered
nat the men be assembled In the mess
aai after supper. and Just before z
oeioef they began fling IN from the
seh block. Il was a saddened crowd
Sest what was 20 follow none seemed
know and not a few Of the men
we're crying.
When the warden made his appear
shee be received a rousing cheer.
have just received one OF tho
featest honors Of my career h'
etgsn. Il have just heard that ] have
been indicted By the WestcheBtei
sisnc Jury. presume you will all con
yrstuls,s me"
When the laugh this sally had raised
'1esioHd be went on:
am warden Of Sing Sing, and vii
warden Of Sing Sing until they kic'
y was the first intimation the mer
.so hat the indictment had not seryet
remove him automatically. and d
1 tfyeral minutes before the cheer.
ssb,idsd.
viii Meet the Charge.
have rot the slightest disineiina
~ 70 meet the charges. ] Will 1e 'f
asnd whenever they are ready 70 trl
hsn. Ny only fear IN that they VII
Be ready coon enough"
me warden then told the men ths
~ Immediate effect % the indictment
.eoi4 be % make friends for the wei
~, fnoysment.
icp viii have more friends to.mor
said he, than you have to-day
~ io1 will have more in the 'iay
~ VII foiioN The only persons VIII
'pJDfs the movement are your
- Isntiassd On page .. column = -----