The Little River news., 1922-01-04
COMMISSION GUSTS
 WARDEN DEMPSEY
Remove, Head of Penitentiary "Walls'
 But Assigns No Reason-hamp Martin Appointed.

1
 Martin Appointed.
 Little Rock. Dec. 31.-Edward H. Dempsey, warden at the penltentiary walls. yesterday was notified oy the panitentiary Commission that his ser vicas no longer are desired by the com mission No reason was gwen py 'he commission in it's curt letter of dls- .uissal as to why MT. Dempey will not be retained.
 The commission met yesterday at the walls. but no member said anything to MT. Dempsey to indicate that he wouio ta dismissed His first intimatlon oi the act of the commission came Ill a letter last night signed by George w. Morris. secretary. as follows:
 "This will notify you that your serV- icas will be discontinued after Janu- ary 1, 1922 Please turn over to Hamp Martin all the property, real and per sonal, and he will receipt you for the same
 Hamp Martin is assistant warden at the Cummins farm.
 Doesn't Suit Board.
 Asked last night at his home in Eng land why MT. Dempsey will not be re- t,ined MT Morris said: Well, ne didn't suit the board" No other reason was given, but it is known that such action was contemplated before rom Slaughter made his sensational escape so Siaughter's escape had nothing 10 do with the matter.
 Dempsey was first employed py tue po,;+antiarv Commission in 1913 as electrician. At the beginning Of the Mc- Rae administration, when the honorary hoard was appointed, he was named warden at the walls and has served as such ever since He was very popu- lar with the Arkansas sheriffs. ana others who had business dealings "lth him. and was known as one or the most humane wardens the state mas ever had. Prisoners kept at the walls invariably had something to say about MT. Dempsey's kindly treatment, ana even Tom Slaughter, notorious banolt, when he locked Dempsey and his fami- ly in cell, brought them coffee ana declared that Dempsey had always treated him with every consideration.
 Board Is Secretive.
 George w. Morris, secretary of the commission, spent the night at the walls Friday night, but gave no inkling to Mir. Dempsey or his family Of the action taken by the commission.
 Governor McRae is at his home at Prescott His secretary, c. P. Newton, last night declared that the governor has left the management of the peni- tentiary entirely in the hands of the commission. It is believed, however. that on his return the governor will take the matter up with the commits sion with a view of having the matter reconsidered, although MT. Newton last night said there would be no state ment from the governors office about the matter.
 Warden Will Not Quit.
 Little Rock, Jan. 2.-The Peniten- tiary Commission will meet today at Il o'clock probably at the Hotel Marl- on, it was announced last night, to take legal steps for the removal or Warden E. H. Dempsey, who yester- day refused to turn over the keys to the penitentiary to his successor. War den Dempsey also will employ an at torney to look after his interests, and a long legal controversy may result.
 George w. Morris, secretary of the commission, last night said, at his home at England, that the commission has no statement to make about the dicharge of Dempsey. Governor Nc Rae at Prescott also declined to make a statement, but said he does not plan to interfere in the actions of the com mission.
 It is quite probable that the commis7. sion can compel the removal of Demp- sey, even without making charges against him, as under the law he is an employe of the commission, However, friends of Dempsey yesterday said that the summary dismissal of the popular warden probably will cause an uproar over the state in political circles and likely will reflect seriously on the com mission, and the present .administra- tion.
 Friends of Dempsey called him up yesterday to tender their assistance in any way that could be of service. He is