The Washington times., 1915-12-29
Sing Sing Warden Charged With
Perjury, Mismanagement,
and Immoral Acts.
CLAIMS TO BE PROSECUTED
Accused Official Declares He Is
Hated Because He Has Run
Prison Honestly.

NEW YORK. nec. co.-Two indict-
ments were returned yesterday aSaIhHt %
Thomas Mott Osborne. warden OF Sins
Sing bv tho Westchester county grann
,rrv which for six weeks had been IN
vestiRating conditions at the prison.
One indictment charges rer1ury ana tne
other rnismanngemcnt, one OF inc SIX
counts involving Mr.. Osborne's personal
character.
John Z. Riley. superintendent OF pris-
ons. announced at Albany, on heiT.g ar
prised of the return OF the indictments
that he would remove MIR. Osborne as
warden.
"A man under indictment the su-
perIntendent said, should not hold the
office of warden of prison. I shall
let him out for good as soon as ] rnd
the right man for his place.
Governor Holds AlOOf.
Governor whitman intimated that
he would not seek in any way to in
terfere with Superintendent Riley
purpose. calling attention to the full-
ness OF power over the appointment
and removal of wardens put in the
superintendent's hands by law.
"From the first" the governor add
u,
aEainst Mr.. Osbornes character en-
tirely unfounded. and am aston
ished at the action of the grand jury
But. of course. I know nothing what
ever of the evidence that was pre-
sented to that body.
Mr. Osborne issued a statement al
the Hotel Belmont in which he sali:
"At a meeting In Yonkers some
weeks ago l spoke of the grand jury
performance at White Plains as not
an investigation, but a conspiracy.
The result has justified my assertion
Because | have run Sing Sing with
business honesty and efficiency nave
made myself hated by the corrupt po,
litical elements for their own fou
purposes.
"NOt a Personal Fight"
Because have reduced vice and dis
order to a minimum within the prise 4
I have incurred tn" hatred of the few
prisoners who had long enjoyed special
privileges at the expense of their fel'
lows.
because | have served the State tC
the best of my ability, tie very machl'
merry OF the law intended for the pro.
lection of srciety has been prosttuteo
from its high purpose TO serve the VresI
ends by means equally vile.
'"This Is rot my personal tight 1t be.
longs to every citizen Ct the State oi
New York 1t is not one innocent man
, alone that has teen indicted. J'his at
tack is directed against every Other
, honest officehoder In the state. ever!
believer in decency in private life. eV
= cry other believer in fair dealirs ne.
tween man and man. every other mar
who has endeaVored to make his 1altf
in God a living principle of action.
Has No Fear of Outcome.
"I have no fear of the result. No
iury will he blind enough. no court un-
fair enough, to carry this conspiracy to
ultimate success. The real question is,
What do the people of New York State
, propose to do about it?'"
Appended to the statement as 1t was
issued was this:
warden Osborne sent the following
telegram to the sheriff and district at
torney of Westchester county:
" I hear the grand jury has reported
indictments against me. Tor your in
formation, my immediate plans are as
follows:
81 shal! appear in court tomorrow
wednesday, morning at White Plains
at 10 o'clock. ] plan to leave for Albany
tomorrow afternoon to deliver an ad'
dress at Albany High School graduate
reunion. Then to Auburn over Sunday
returning early next week. l send this
information as a matter oe courtesy t.
you