New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-26
OSBORNE DEFIANT
AT FELONY CRY
Demand for Investigation
of Prison Fights a PO-
litical Farce, He Says.
WILL QUIT WHEN HE
FINDS A SUCCESSOR
Takes Shot at Riley-Grand Jury
Inquiry Off at Whitman's
Request, Rumor Goes.

In refutation Of the recent charges
against himself as responsible for the
alleged "felonies" at Sing Sing, Thomas
Mott Osborne last night characterized
the recent moves in the prison situa-
ton as pure political shafts, aimed at
him and at his reforms. The warden
took up the charges at an address de-
livered at Beechwood. the country home
of Frank A. Nanderlip, the New York
banker. at Observation-Disclosures
son. The address was given under the
auspices of the National Committee Of
Prisons and Prison Labor, and many
prominent New Workers were present.
The warden limited that the request TO
District Attorney Weeks of Westches-
ter County for an investigation Of re-
cent felonies by inmates Of the prison,
members of the Mutual Welfare League,
was not necessary or justifiable. Con-
ditions were better at Sing Sing than at
other institutions, Mr.. Osborne de-
clared. Not only were there less fights
By convicts, but the number of such
fights was lessening all the time.
ain the request to District Attorney
Weeks" Warden Osborne said, ito have
the grand jury Of his county inquire
into the felonies committed within the
walls of Sing Sing, the word felony
carries to you who read it the idea Of
some terrible, unspeakable crime. The
fclonies referred 10 in that request are
what you and | know as plain, every
day fights in which one man gets black
eye and is sent TO the hospital.
Raps Superintendent Riley.
FOL 60 10 90
more exuberant nature possibly than
you and ! engage in words and then re-
sort to fists. The most remarkable
thing, however, is that since last De-
cember, when | entered upon my duties
at Sing Sing, there have been only ff-
teen such fights. Under the old sys-
TEN there used 10 be fifteen a day
Does it not occur to you that some
differences should be settled at the
prison and do not need the probing of
the District Attorney? The report to
the District Attorney is the cleanest
bill of health Sing Sing has ever had.
"Why is this new step taken? Why
are they doing it now? Why? And
the echo comes back, Why? Are they
doing it at Auburn? No. because the
warden has gone TO the fair in Cali
fornia at the invitation of Superin-
tendent Riley. Are they doing 1t at
Dannemora? No, because the warden
of Dannemora has gone to California
at the invitation of the superintendent.
Are they doing it at Great Meadows
prison? No, because the warden has
gone to California at the invitation of
the Superintendent. The warden of
Sing Sing Is at Sing Sing and it is
easier to 60 for him.
20, &c I.I4
discipline at Sing Sing than ever be-
fore. We have practically eliminated
the drug traffic through the efforts of
the members of the Welfare League.
And here | would say that the Welfare
League system was In vogue at Auburn
FOR more than year before it was
tried at Sing Sing, and it had proved
great success. The use Of whiskey has
been almost entirely eliminated. 1t Is,
however, impossible TO entirely elimi-
nate these things because new prison
ers come in daily and they bring their
wicked practices with them.
What is the object of giving these
men these privileges? Because we
must look to the time when they are
coming out upon society again. IN
der the old system the men came out
worse brutos than they possibly could
have been when they went in. Under
this new system, which you may refer
10 as an experiment, but which | am
confident enough to call an assured
system, the men are coming out nj 20
mingle again with society. We do not
believe that the best way 10 prepare
for q race is 70 lie down in bed for six
months We believe az Sing Sing in
exercising the limbs upon which We
must depend in the race. This is all
the prisoners are doing when they en-
deavor 10 live IN prison like men and
10 get an education.
"All | ask is that be left alone and
that the politicians draw off. Why all
these constant efforts tO discredit my
work at Sing Sing? The prison can
stand my death. But Il could not stand
my removal under the conditions which
others are trying 70 impose on the pris-
on. | can afford TO 90 home. Can You
afford TO let me-"
At this point many voices from the
audience cried out vociferous Noes"
81 believe" Warden Osborne added.
that am in sufficiently good standing
with the prisoners so that my property
is safe. In fact, while was doing my
bit in Auburn | was informed by a
fellow inmate Of the next cell that |
need never fear for my property. But
what are all OF you going 10 do? Do
you want the 500 prisoners turned
loose yearly from the four states pris-
Ons alone TO come out brutes, seeking
District Judge j. +. Slater here to-day.
revenge and spreading disease. or do
you want them to come out men, ready