The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-04-04
READY next Week
N pen INQUIRY

N Pen INQUIRY
stenographer's Report May Have
Been Completed by Monday
Morning:
Pending transcription OF the evil
dence adduced at Wednesdays in
vestigation by the state board OF
charities and corrections of charges
of cruelty at the state penitentiary,
the matter remains in statu quo. The
investigation was adjourned Wednes-
day night subject to another call of
Ess ~ thr *sNss,ys ~
Secretary Joseph T. Mastin stated
last night that until a typewriter
record Of Wednesdays proceedings is
In the hands of the board, nothing
would or could DO done.
IL is believed that the work Of
transcribling the vast amount of
testimony given at the penitentiary
by Il. A. budding. president Of the
Prisoners Relief society, and others
will be completed tomorrow or Mon
day and that another meeting Of the
board will be held sometime next
week.
Thomas e. Owen, stenostapher.
who took the evidence In shorthand,
when he would complete his task, but
believed he would have tho record In
shape for the pen" investigators not
later than Monday.
Major James r. Wood, superinter-
dent OF the penitentiary, when asked
for a statement concerning Wednes-
days investigation. told the seeker
after Information that he had nothing
TO say---that there was nothing that
he could say--just at this time.
Secretary Mastin was equally reti-
cent. The governors office yesterday
either could not or would not say
anything bearing on the matter.
Abolition of the cross" the iron
mask and flogging and the proven
ton OF any minor officer in the state
penitentiary from administering any
punishment are to be among the
Recommendations to. be made to
Governor Davis in the repor is Of the
state board of charities and correc-
ttons- >. ,a.. @ sss ....g ......s,- ..s.5 --.~~
The Recommendations now are be-
ing prepared for submission to the
executive, 1t was said yesterday. The
evidence taken at the investigation
at the institution Wednesday is be-.
ing transcribed by the stenographer
and Is expected TO be ready for the
consideration Of called meeting Of
the board to be held next week.
The hearing yesterday was behind
closed doors. the members Of the
board going to a hotel for a confer
encs Wednesday night after the taxi
ing of evidence had been completed.
1t Is said that little OF the evidence
adduced surprised the members Of the
board.
Onicers connected the prison. when
asked as to statements made by wit
nessos. declared they had nothing to
say. The board of directors OF the
prison sat with the state board OF
charities and corrections.
Witnesses summoned before the In -,
vestigation were separated, 1t In said,
ana, 30 far as could be learned. no
counsel or directing head was per-
mitted to take charge of the case of
management OF the institution.
DIR. Charles v. Darlington, for
twelve years prison surgeon at the
penitentiary, who was summoned by
Secretary j. T. Mastin, OF the state
board Of charities and corrections.
asked the investigating body to per-
nit him to make a statement He
thereupon went into the matter of
punishments. wherein he described
the Gross as an instrument OF
''Ffunnish brutality" He described
the torture mattress" on which the
victim OF the "cross'' Is laid. he told
OF the ball and spike, and OF the
cruel punishment of the iron mask.
He told OF the debasing influence on
guards and keepers, as well as on
prisoners when flogging of inmates
was ordered.
DR. Darlington said that during the
time ne was officially connected with
the prison. punishments Of revolt
ing and cruel character had fire.
quently been inflicted, and that for
many years he had fought this de-
basing practice.
DR.. Darlington made the following
recommendations:
No punishment should be possible
unless ordered by the superinten-
dent, and he should be expressly
forbidden to delegate his authority in
this matter to any subordinate.
The aceuser should not be permit
ted to administer punishment.
The superintendent should be re-
quired to be present in person when
ever punishments are admins cred.
II guard or keeper or attache of
the prison curse or strike prisoner.
this should constitute cause for his