Evening journal., 1920-03-30
SAYPRISONERS
TREATED rough
Two Former Inmates Tell
Legislature of Alleged
Workhouse Conditions
CHARGE MEN TRICED
UP TO CELL DOORS
stan Correspondent.

STAFF Correspondent.
STATE HOUSE. Dover. March So
For nearly two hours yesterday after
noen members OF the revised statutes
committees Of the Senate and House
heard accusations against the system
at the New Castle County Workhouse
and alleged brutality TO prisoners. The
charges were made by Fred w. Stlerle,
John p. Saylor and w. II. Collins, rep
,esenting committee from the Central
labor Union Of Wilmington. who in
gestigated conditions at the workhouse
and by three former prisoners, Everett
+. Martin and Martin Robinson and
Milton Bush. Negro.
The labor union committee attacked
the system used at the institution and
submitted q lengthy report making
recommendations which the committee
thought would improve conditions II
larrled out. The committee Is opposed
10 the present contract system In the
making OF clothing. contendlng that
the shops could be operated under a
different system to the financial ad-
vantage OF the county and at the same
time allow the prisoners more money
for their work.
The hearing was conducted IN the
Supreme Court room and was on
bill introduced in the House OF Repre-
sentative Francis, which has for Its
purpose the oustlng OF the present
trustees after June 4. and vestine
lhe appointing power in the hands OF
the Governor instead Of the state
judges, who make the appointments al
present.
Everett F. Martin, the frst OF the
former prisoners who made a statement
before the committee, said he had spent
% months in the workhouse for passing
a worthless check. He asserted that
prisoners were beaten with blackJecks
until the blood stresmed down their
faces.
Another prisoner, he averred, was
permitted 10 die In his cell without
medical treatment and he further
charged that inmates were compelled
% eat ALONGSIDE victims OF consumption
md other communicable diseases. hs
said men were given tricing-up treat
-ment for breaches OF prison discipline
He explained that this consisted OF
having the offender handcuffed by the
feet and hands In the form OF cross
on the cell doors for hours at time
lie told OF a prisoner, who was strung
up In this fashion for II hours, dur
ing which time he had neither wafer
or food.
He stated that the firm In charge OF
the clothing manufacturing department
III the workhouse was getting a pronl
Of 100000 annually, while only s6O.OV,
went TO the county for the CONTRACT
privileges yearly. He advocated tn'
oneration OF the honor system, sayins
that the adoption Of this method woule
enable the State 10 derive the bulk o.
Inc proflt while the men would be re
csivIng q fair wage which would neii
towards the support OF their families.
Martin Robinson charged that rouBl
i, treatment practiced In the workhous'
was resnousible for the murder OF
guard and a Negro prisoner. He ao,
nitted serving several sentences, mos
az which were for assault while unoel
the influence OF liquor.
He charged that one OF the men q
fhe workbouse fired six shots into
heiniess Negro, while he was lying on
ne floor. Robinson said that james
, Nields and several others tried u
sets a committee TO do something apou'
the conditions.
The former prisoner told OF seeing
guard assault a prisoner with Dlscl
ack for striking a cellmate. New
guards. he told the committee, leave
after a few days, rather than wines;
the cruel treatment. For refusing te
work Robinson said ore OF IN
Guards had him strung up on doc
rom 7 o'clock in the morning to 40
n'cIock in the afternoon. Il had trouble
with my eyes and that was the reason
1 was unable to work." he said. dur
ing that time | had neither FOOD mol
irink and was only returned 10 my Gel
Tter the prison physician protested.
The former prisoner said when tn'
LEGISLATURE Is expected at the work
house to make an Inspection, the!
make a lot Of temporary improvements
Another form Of punishment hoDln
son stated Is TO make a man stand VIII
his face 10 the walls for hours. He ais
loses Eve days Off his time for good be
havior for the slightest infracuon o
the rules"
Milton Bush, a Negro, whose arm wa
broken while he was a prisoner whoI
ne got caught In a shaft and We
whlrled around, exhibited his arm. HI
claimed It was not set right and tha
consequently he is not able 10 d'
manual labor. He was serving time fo
4 misdeamOr.
At the close OF the hearing Repre-
sentative Murine remarked, "Ther
must be something done. This can't g
on" The committee deferred actloI
on the bill.
MALICIOUS LIE,s SAYS wTNGATE
''It's a malicious lie made out OF tn
whole CLOTH" declared William II
trrfrrofa a dor,.t.. .,.o-do~, = 49, No.