The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-12-31
Atheist lncensed by Warden
Turner Returning Letter
Addressed 10 Convict
ASKS FREE SPEECH RULING
Executive Points Out Peniten-
tiary inmates Do Not Have
Citizens Rights

Does the state of North Dakota en-
deavor to imprison the mind? Is
atheistic propaganda as legitimate as
that Of churches?
Those are questions propounded Of
Governor George F. Shafer which
the chief executive Of the common
wealth proposes to ignore.
Atheist Woolsey Teller. vice presi-
dent or the American Association for
the Advancement Of Atheism. Is the
inquisitor.
incensed because Warden G. G.
Turner Of the state penitentiary at
Bismarck returned q letter. which had
been addressed TO state prisoner, to
the atheistic organization. Teller ap-
pealed to shafer.
~The principal Of free speech Is In
volved," wrote Teller In his protest
70 the governor. rs It the business
of . state official to uphold the dog
mas Of religion? We appeal to your
excellency to end this obvious viola
tion Of the secular principle Of Amer
lean government"
10 Let Davis Do u
While the governor proposed to ig-
more Teller,s question, he also stated
Monday he would probably turn the
letter over to J. Z. Davis. chairman
Of the state board Of administration,
witch supervtses the prison.
Where the principle Of free speech
Is involved Governor Shafer could not
see at the time. he said.
Warden Turner, returning the un-
delivered letter to Mr.. Teller, made
the notation:
This institution does not allow In
mates to receive any literature Of the
nature you sent. For this reason It
was returned. Make m issue Of this
matter Il you wish."
Expanding his views on Tellers
letter, the governor said:
.N Ceasfce's H1aAe Dlfferent -
I'm managing q prison 1t Is well
to keep In mind that the inmates are
on q totally different plane from cit
liens Of the state" the governor said.
ut Is necessary that the prison OFF,
cials exercise their discretion in max.
ing rules OF conduct for prisoners and
In methods OF maintaining discipline.
Il can easily understand that liter.
ature Of some kinds would Be disturb
inG to the mental peace Of inmates
and might even incite them to
breaches Of rules and prison dis
cipline.
"A good many prisoners are of the
type especially subject to disturbing
mental influences. Some Of them are
susceptible 70 excitement on religious
subjects and can see why the prison
manaeeraent might wish to keep
some matter printed By religious or
eanisations out Of their hands.
1T q not 70 be expected that prison
inmates would have the same rights
g persons outside the penitenttary. :
In his protest. Teller said. I'VE
appeal to your Excellency TO end this
obvious violation Of the secular prtn-
clple OF American government. The
number OF convicts interested In
Atheism, II is true, Is not great, -
they are more religious than citizens
g large, but the principle Of free
speech Is involved.
Cltes Arkansas Case
O0c8 tho 6t9to u eSOGtll 01AUse
endeayor to imprison the mind? 70
it the business OF . state official TO
uphold the dogmas Of religion? Even
in darkest Arkansas. when President
smith was In jail there last year dur
ine the anti-evolution campaign. the
prison did not religiously censor his
mail.
.Will you not kindly instruct War
den Turner 70 cease discriminating
aeainst usf Our propaganda y -
leeitimate g that Of the churches.
.If this persecution for opinion
continues, we slAll take the matter
up With the postoffice department o.
the federal government.
@Yolrs for the separation Of church
ana STATE" Teller concluded.