The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-18

in the governors office, told of the
agreement with the prison board and
the governor which resulted in the re-
lease OF B. j. Clifford.
Governor Capper, said Judge Smith,
had observed the rule which was
good time to prison Irvine plant work
ers. This statement, backed by Judge
Smiths assertion that the governor
expected to continue the policy with
out favor or discrimination, took from
Botkin the responsibility for Clifford 8
recent release.
Judge Smith, however, did not give
a clearance for the warden concerning
at liberty. Counsel for the governor
read list of names. None of the
names on the list was found in the
governors parole book. 1t is the
contention of the prosecution that in
several instances men were released
from the penitentiary without proper
authority.
Governor Will Appear.
The governor will also be called to
testify in the Botkin case. 1t is prob
able, however, that he will appear be-
fore the commission when it goes to
Lansing.
FItzgibbons a Storm Center.
Members OF the prison board told
the Botkin investigating committee
that mana cement of the prison had,
in their judgment, been good and that
most of the fractional strife in the in
stitution conferred around ]. H Fitz-
gibbons, former deputy warden.
When Fitzgibbons left the prison,
conditions improved, board members
testified. If employees were discharg-
ed for political reasons, the members
denied that they knew it.
Against the testimony of the prison
board was the statement of j. S.
drummer, who testified he had been
for political reasons and that
the warden admitted it. drummer
was formerly prison steward. He is
now a policeman in Topeka. He did
not appeal to the board when Botkin
discharged him.
Both j. E. Porter, Democrat, and
Charles M. Harger, Republican, cor
federated the testimony of w. L.
Brown in many important points. All
were members of the prison board
during the Botkin regime.
Did you know that officers did not
speak?" inquired Commissioner Lay
ton.
The witness said he knew only in a
general way of fractional feeling. This
condition improved after F'itzgibbonS
left, the witness said. Layton then
move employees when an administra-
ton of opposite political faith stepped
into power. S. NJ. Brewster, attor-
ney general objected and Layton
withdrew his question.
Load Off Botl&in's Shoulders.
Both Governor Hodges and Cover |
nor Capper had approved and adopt |
ed the plan of giving extra time to |
Irvine plant prisoners, Porter SAID |
This assertion lifted from Botk1n s |
shoulders much of the responsibility |
for the recent discharge of ]. B. Gift
ford.
5 T. Seaton, parole clerk under
Governor Hodges, testified as to the |
clifford temporary parole He said the
Democratic governor knew nothing OF
bought there might have been an
lgreement with the governor concern
ng which he was not aware.
Charles NJ. Harger, Republican
member of the prison board, testified
hat the parole of William Lone Wolf |
he Indian, was conditioned on the
payment by Botkin of the $3.50 note.
did you know of the discharge of
Employees for political reasons?" was
tslled.
Il did not. I was minority member
# the board and wasn't consulted
bout those things" replied Harger.
j. S. drummer, former steward at
he prison, said he had been dis
harged by Botkin for political rea-
ons and repeated the conversation.
He did not appeal to the board for re-
lef. Under cross examination, Crum-
ner denied he had been discharged
or cause.
Mrs. Alfretta Haggerty of Liberal
old of an alleged crime against a wo-
nan inmate of the penitentiary. The
witness was for several months an in
nate of The prison. a short time ago
Irs. Haggarty was pardoned by Gov
rnor Capper. The woman said she
lad never told Warden Bot1in of the
lleged offense against the sister in
nate.