The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-09
RILEY SERVED
WITH CHARGES
OF MISCONDUCT

has had my cordial support. both at
Auburn and at Sing Sing. seems to me
to be a sufficient answe to the init
nation hat the transfer order was made
with any view Of interfering with the
work OF the league
The suggestion OF the motive Of the
order as one to embarrass the new
warden. Supt. Riley said. he considered
did him All injustice, as he supposed
he had a full understanding with the
new warden. giving him every assur-
ance Of cooperation. and indeed going to
the prison Wednesday without a
thought or suspicion that he felt he did
not have every assurance OF my hearty
support"
He told Dr. Kirchwsy. Supt. Riley
said. To permit Osborne and his ounsel
to confer with prisoners or officers II
they desired In preparing Osborne'- de-
fence, and he had not thought OF ham
pering them In any way
Franklin n. Lord. the Governors gal
adviser. this afternoon carried to supt
Riley the Governors answer TO this
letter. in which he declared he could
see no reasons for changing his opinion
regarding the requested resignation.
Supt Riley at once sent his ultima
tum 20 the Governor. refusing to resign.
! and declaring the Governors criticism
4 Oh MS bsNtcu tnu~I ~ tShh be' 80
effect OF continuing the present revolt
ing conditions prevailing"
Your conclusions have evidently beer
I arrived at by OF parte statements made
by persons who are Interested IN MAIN
tanning III. deplorable conditions exist
ing In sing sing prison. he said. Il
admit that I am. in a measure, re-por-
sible TO- such conditions. m thht nave
followed your advice In continuing for
...aruf ,,nrshe fha h-Ntvlzfrlfl0 or
that institution after being convinced
| that the evil. existing could not be
remedied uIder the warden thea in
charge.
AS early as April last ! called your
attention TO the fact that at that time
nearly 500 prisoners were housed at
sing Sing by placing two men IN a
crll, notwithstanding my repeated m
%s,ructivns to the then warden that ne
send me tentative lists from which or
d.rs could be issued for the transfer
o, the surplus population TO other pris-
ous, where there were several hundred
vacant cells.
Later on I informed you on several
occasions tina ] had reliable information
that no. only did gross immortality pre-
vail In the prison, but that ~f.lontous
assaults were Of frequent occurrence and
that although the regulations required
that such ~felonies be reported 10 thls
department the warden declined 20 com
ply with my Instructions, uotvitnEtand-
ing repeated demands for u reports
Notwithstanding the fact that you
were fully advised by me Of these con
ditions YOU stu insisted upon the reten-
ton OF the warden In oYice. and not un-
iii the Grand Jury " Westches'-r county
made pr~esentments showing these con-
ditions 10 have existed, which resulted
In IN. Indictment Of a large number Of
prisoners for unmenrionable crimes and
OF the warden on charges OF gross mis-
anagement and other felonies. did you
consent 20 his removal
AS soon IA . new warden was APP
pointed | attempted to correct the abuses
existing. especially ga the mater OF
continuing the housing ~ two men In a
cell when there was ample room al
Great Meadow and Clinton prisons You
criticised my action. the effect ~ which
must uecessa r,ly he to continue the pres
ent revolving condition. prevailing
II am proud Of ne fact that dur'rz
my administration Of The prisons 81 this
state more hss been done n ame.i0rltf
conditions 80 far 40 the inmates Of cur
prisons are concerned than has been ac-
eomplished during the las: hr'y years
After outlining these reforms snC
tseir effects ho continued
1T - generally conceded by al! who
have visited Clinton. Auourn and GrrhI
Meadow prisons that great improve
msnt IS manifest. and hat the >ondit.orl
IN easn are excellent You nave your
self after visiting them publicly com,
meuded the administration 81 thes,
prisons.
You letter demanding ny resigua
ton, which VAS given by yoI TO th'
public press bstor, it, -ecr pt by me. lr
which you imply iucapt.ify or !rei'ct
egcy on my part. might lead ne publ,
20 infer that 7 acdu,esced In yo4T View
Holding title to the office, - ! 10
under tn" provis!ons ~ the Constitution
and feeling mat IN the pegtormduc. o
ny official duties | have oecn guilty OF
10 act which can Justly be N. subjec'
OF criticism. I must decline 10 accede 1,
kOur request Tor my res g~natlon"