New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-08
GOVERNOR DENIES
GUSHING STORY
AT SING SING
"If Osborne Resigns II
Will Be Voluntarily"
Whitman Says.

Governor Whitman maintained strict
neutrality concerning the Riley-Os-
borne war when he made his first Off
cial inspection Of Sing Sing prison yes
terday afternoon.
He authorized the statement that, as
far as he knew, neither the Superin-
tendent of State Prisons nor TON
Brown" the Golden Rule warden, would
leave their present work unless they
resigned voluntarily. "At least, / an
ticipate TO such changes until the Gov
ernor has made q thorough inspection
of all prisons in the state" he added
as a qualification. Reports about the
Governors interference 10 remove the
friction between Superintendent Riley
and Warden Osborne had not emanatcd
from the executive chamber at Albany,
Governor Whitman asserted.
Didn't Visit Death House.
Accompanied by his secretary, Will
lam Orr, the Governor motOred to Os-
shining, arriving at the prison at 1920
p. m. Five minutes later, with Warden
Osborne as their guide, they had start
ed on a tour Of the prison plant, tour
complete with the exception of a visit
TO the death house. where Mrs. Charles
Becker was spending a few hours with
the condemned cX-police lieutenant.
The Governor went through the dormi-
tories, shops and hospital. watched the
inmates playing baseball. accepted a
Mutual Welfare League watchfob from
the officers Of Warden Osborne's pet
organization, listened to "Tom Browns
Aurora Band called forth in his
honor, and then, while the band played
on, received group of reporters on the
southern porch Of the warden's apart
ment.
"No, did not come here unexpected
ly," the Governor replied to the first
question. 1T was just matter of ar
ranging things in Albany so could get
away. | telephoned the warden this
morning that | would try 20 be here
this afternoon"
The Governor strove manfully to
suppress smile while he listened 70
the details of story in n New York
evening newspaper that he intended to
remove Superintendent Riley and put
Secretary Orr in charge of the prisons.
ITS beautiful story, isn't it?' he
inquired Of his secretary, who stood at
absolutely. You can deny every bit Of
IT, ! don't know where il started GER
tainly not in the executive chamber at
Albany
When reminded that Superintendent
Riley, in a long statement issued in
Albany Tuesday night, had practically
passed the lie 70 Warden Osborne on
charges about keepers furnishing drugs
and whiskey 10 inmates, the Governor
said: "Mr. Riley IS head Of the De-
partment of Prisons" He also added
that any information about the re-
moval of the warden Of any state
prison would have to come from the
superintendent, who alone has the
power TO take such q step
Governor Just on a Visit"
After saying that voluntary resigna-
ton would be the only immediate
prospect OF removing one or both Of
the parties 20 the present controversy,
Governor Whitman said that no
charges have been preferred against
either Mr.. Riley or Mr.. Osborne.
1T is nothing new for a Governor TO
inspect state institutions in the sum
mer," he explained, when asked about
the psychological timeliness of his
visit to Sing Sing 81 expect TO visit
all the prisons, and probably the in
sane asylums, too. In addition to get
ting first hand knowledge of conditions,
also desire to obtain information
relative TO needed appropriations.
THE cell block in Sing Sing is dis
grace to New Y rk State, as ! have
frequently pointed OUT said The Gov
ernOr.
"Yos. l INSPECTED the new dormitory