Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-09-01
PUBLIC CONFESSION OF FAILURE
(N[edford Nail Trihnnel


Declaring that inmates of the Ore
gon prison are on the verge Of mutiny
and that the system of handling and
Furnishing inmates is antiquated, Gov
ernor Withycombe introduced a reso
luton at the meeting of the board of
control Monday, asking that he be au-
thorized to appoint a non-salaried com
mission of three citizens of the state to
make a thorough survey of the prison
and report its findings and recommen.
datiOns.
The governor further stated that old
time punishments are inflicted and the
whole prison system not in harmony
with modern civilization.
This is an astounding admission of
failure, inefficiency and incompetency
on the part of the governor. A few
short years ago Oregon led the nation
in prison reforms, and Governor West
attained national fame because of pris
on reforms.
When Governor Withycombe took Of
flee, the old style punishments were not
in effect. The prisoners were not on
the verge of mutiny. The system was
as near in harmony with modern civ
iliZaton as the restrictions and handi-
caps imposed by hostile legislature
permitted.
But Governor Withycombe changed
all this. Governor Withycombe pro-
nounced the humanitarian efforts of
his predecessor "silly sentimentality.
He abolished the nonor system. He re-
stored the system of espionage and
n aI r.lC oh m a. N 4 y
He stopped the road work and brick
making and other healthfu occupations
that the ingenuity of West had pro
vided. He re-established the regime of
brutality and idleness, developing the
latent ugliness of convicts.
All the reforms that West had lab
oriously devised and installed during
his four years of office We're ruthless
y brushed aside and discarded, despite
their merit, by Governor Withycombe.
The harvest reaped is shown by in
creased prison expenses, multiplied es-
capes, incendiary fires and threatened
mutiny.
The governor does not need the re-
port of any non.partisan board TO tell
him what to do. He has merely to
carry to perfection the constructive re.
form policies inaugurated by his pre-
decessor, which he abolished, as a par
tisan political play. There is no better
authority ON prisons than Oswald West,
none better acquainted with the pris-
on systems of other states and the
needs of the Oregon prison, no one more
successful in handling the flotsam and
.jetsam of humanity that society lodges
behind prison walls.
When West was governor his every
reform was belittled and decried by
the Portland Oregonian and the clique
Of partisan papers that echo its lead.
Whenever an honor man failed to keep
faith the event was blamed on West.
Whenever convict escaped, n great
to-do was made and West s reforms de-
clared q failure. When land and funds
ran short, West had tne convicts make
brick, which he sold 10 buy more land
for the prison farm and brickyard--
and his reward was a personal suit for
damages for exceeding his authority.
Governor Withycombe has not been
handicapped as West was. lie has had
the loyal support of the legislature, the
state board of control and the ma jority
of the state press. Prison records of
the world were open to him for study.
He could have formulated modern
policy and enforced it without opposi-
ton. But he made prison control pO-
ltical spoils and blindly restored the
old senseless regime of brutality.
Why should the convicts be kept III
idleness, with abundant fields for la
Dor on every side! West had law
passed authorizing the use of convicts
on highways. Why are they not thus
employed, as they are in California and
other states which followed Oregon s
leadl There are countless opportuni-
ties to give the prisoners useful labor
which are all passed by.
Coming after the $4,000 flzzls of
the governors flax experiment. the
query naturally raises, has Governor
Withycombe no initiative, no creative
force, no executive ability, that he pub
licly confesses failure and seeks en-
lightenmentl Are not his own blunders
and the more or less successful efforts
Of predecessors guide posts TO definite
policy9 Opportunity exists-why is it
not graspedl Why ask others to solve
problems it is the executives province