New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-22
Whitman Virtually De
CideS on Buffalo Man, a
Hughes Republican.
CHARGES UPHELD.
SAYS GOVERNOR
Cowardly and Shameless EXhl-
bition. Deposed officials Re-
ply to Removal Order.
From s,,- corrospordeu, O The rroao, D

From = sag Correspondent % The rroune
Albany. Jan. ~ Frank r. WADE. Of
Buffalo. Hughes Republican snd stu
dent Of prison reform, practically mas
been picked TO succeed John u. Riley.
who was removed this morning as Su-
pcrintcndent Of Prisons. When Gov
ernor Whitman left for New York this
afternoon Mr.. Wade stood at the head
Of the list Of possible selections and
his appointment seemed assured unless
the Governor should change his mind
before he returns TO Albany. Mr.
Rilev's successor will be chosen on Mon
day or Tuesday
MIR. Riley's removal had been regard
ed as certain, so there was no surprise
when Governor Whitman announced
that he had found the superintendent
guilty OF misconduct IN Once ana hao
ordered his removal.
Mr.. Wade. who is president oil
the State Prison Commission, was ap-
pointed TO the State Excise Probation
Commission by Governor Hughes IN
1907. He was reappointed IN 1908. In
1910. when the State Prison Commls-
sion was organized. Governor Hughes
made Mr.. Wade member Of II. Dir.
Wade was reappointed by Governor
DIX IN 1911.
The prospective Prison Superintend
ent has been active IN charity organ
ization. social settlement and other
nhilanthropic and civic work IN Buffalo.
lie Is a member Of many organizations
interested in prison reform, and IS
graduate Of Cornell.
The Governor. it is understood, con
sidered the selection Of Deputy Sherih
Frank X. Bowers. of New York. but is
said 20 have concluded that better re-
suits. especially with regard TO the
sing Sing muddle. could be had by
choosing an upstate man.
"Reprehensible," Says Governor.
In an opinion which accompanied the
order for removal Governor Whitman
held tina. the evidence concerning
recent order by Superintendent Riley
Tor the transfer of siXty-six prisoners
from Sing Sing 20 Clinton prison sus-
tanned the charge of misconduct.
Quoting from a letter written by
Riley on November l last to Thomas
Mott Osborne, at that time Warden OF
Sing Sing. that transfer TO Clinton
prison. except in the case Of tubercu-
iosis. was regarded as punishment, the
Governor said that Riley either was
knowingly and willingly q party TO a
plan conceived for the purpose OF al
fecting a criminal trial, by Including
in the transfer of prisoners who are
10 be witnesses for the defense IN the
rial Of the indictments pending against
osborne. or the conditions OF the
Sunerintendent's Office were such tnat
o.bis wholly reprehensible thing, as
the Governor termed l.. could be
brought about by his signature and
without his knowledge.
1T was distinctly understood. the
opinion says, that when the present
Warden Of Sing Sing George W.
Kirchwey) took charge the situa-
ton. so far as the so-called Osborne
controversy was concerned, should not
be distul bed until the conclusion OF
the trial: that the District Attorney
ard the counsel for the defence should
have free access 70 the prison ana 10
the witnesses, as occasion might re-
quire. ...o
Of criminal trial. served notlce 10
every convict in Sing sing mat ne
would be sent 10 a PRISON ior Moor
rigibles for punishment should ne dare
80 become a witness in behalf Of the
defendant" c
The Governor adds that Superinten-
don. Riley has accomplished many
GOOD things in the management OF
erisons In this state think he has
done much 20 bring humane methods
and nractices into the management OF
onr penal institutions, and | think the
nublic is indebted TO him for what ne