New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-03
"PLoT TO GUST
E"---OSBORNE;
WELCOME BACK
Tells Convicts Riley Will
"Do II" Because of Row
Over Papers.
1000 CHEER; PROMISE
TO MAKE NO TROUBLE
Did Not Want Prison Industries
Crippled by Drafts, He Ex-
plains to Whitman.

Thomas Mott Osborne expects to be-
removed soon from his position as war
den of Sing Sing prison. But he plans
to come back. and he told the convicts
Yesterday that it would take him only
eight or ten DAYS to do it.
The warden made the first announce
ment Of his expected departure in the
prison mess hall yesterday noon. Near
ly every man in the prison crowded
into the hall to hear his words. He
wanted to take the members of the
Mutual Welfare League into his con-
fidence before he made public the rea-
sons for his possible removal in
speech at Columbia University last
evening.
The heat in the long room was ter
rife. but the 1000 league members
scarcely moved during the twenty min
utes that Mr.. Osborne spoke. An cc-
casional gasp, as some man tried to
draw deep breath. was the only in
terruption Employees of the prison
told afterward what the warden said.
Nothing on Me, He Says.
Bows" Mr.. Osborne began. "I'm go
ing 70 leave you pretty soon, but I'm
not going 10 resign. | expect to be re-
moved shortly by the Superintendent
Of Prisons But I'm going to come
back. They haven't got anything on
me. The most they can say is that |
opened that satchel and took out the
rapcrs that belonged in my Office
Mr.. Osborne referred 10 his recent
alteration with P. J. MacDonal ID in
the Ossining station. Macdonald is
the secretary of Superintendent OF
Prisons Riley. and obtained from in
mates employed in the principal keep
ers office papers relating 10 Joseph
Murphy, "lifer;' who gained entrance
to the death house and talked to
Becker. The warden followed MacDon-
aid TO the station and took the papers
from his suitcase. and when the secre-
tary showed fight had him arrested.
The case will come up in the Ossining
Toli.o court on Friday.
Il am still interested in your vel
fare. boys" the warden continued. "and
| expect to come back. I'm coming
back in eight or ten days.
$50 while I'm gone | want no
trouble here. | want everything to 90
Just as smoothly as possible. BY be-
having yourselves and being orderly
you are going 70 be of great assistance
TO me- When | come back | expect to
work for your betterment harder than
ever"
Cheers Answer Osborne.
There was dead silence for a moment
when the warden had finished. Then
the loyalty that every prisoner feels
for the man who made the Mutual
Welfare League possible found voice
in a cheer that was heard far out over
the Hudson and down in the town of
Ossining. From every corner of the
room came shouts of, We'll wait for
you," The Governors behind you,"
"Well behave for you"
Mr.. Osborne's announcement was
complete surprise TO every one con-
nected with the prison. No one sus-
pected that the recent friction between
the warden and Mr.. Riley over drafts
for other prisons would result in Mr..
Osborne's removal. Deputy Warden
Charles Johnson told a reporter short
ly before the noon meeting that ne
thought there was no chance OF the
warden's leaving permanently. 1t IS
expected that he will start on his vaca-
tion on August is.
1t was said last night at the prison
that in case Mr.. Osborne did leave
either Mr.. johnson or George s. Weed,
Deputy Superintendent of Prisons,
would be put in charge temporarily.
Certain members Of the executive
committee of the Welfare League
spread the news along the cell tiers
on Sunday night that the warden
would have some important news TO
tell at the next meeting, and it is be.
leved that Mr.. Osborne already had
told them of his expected departure.
A report in Osslning yesterday after
noon had it that Mr.. Osborne was to
have met Governor Whitman and Mr..
Riley in Albany yesterday to discuss
the Macdonald affair, but that the war
den decided TO postpone the conference
until after his speech at Columbia last
evening. He told the prisoners, it was
said, because he feared that they might
revolt if he were summarily removed.
Warden Hints at Plot.
Mr.. Osborne told two thousand Co
lumbia summer session students last
night the story of his latest difference
with Superintendent Riley, denounced
the interference of politicians, limited
at a conspiracy against him, ventured
the belief that the three convicts who
had run away during his regime had
been encouraged from outside" and
pleaded for countrywide prison re-
form. He did not discuss his possible
removal.
After outlining the more fragrant
abuses, Mr. Osborne read letter ne
sent to Superintendent Riley last Fri
day in regard TO his alteration with
Macdonald. After explaining that Mac
Donald did not present the letter OF
instructions he carried from Superin-
tendent Riley, but instead obtained
permission TO enter the principal keep
Continued on page 4 column