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- HENRY TOWN NAMED BY GOV. BLAINE FOR BOARD OF CONTROL
Warden of Prison at Waupun Will Take Place of E. A. Everett On July 1
Henry Town, for 15 years warden of the state penitentiary at Waupun and for over 40 years engaged in charitable and penal work in Wisconsin and Michigan, was Tuesday appointed by Gov. Blaine a member of the state board of control. He takes the place of E. A. Everett, Eagle River, who has resigned to take effect July 1.
The Senate confirmed the appointment unanimously and immediately. The term of office to which Mr. Town has been appointed is until the first Monday in February, 1925. The salary is $5,000 a year. It ss not expected that action will be taken upon the appointment by the senate for several days.
Mr. Town is 59 years old, having been born in Cicero, N. Y. on July 5, 1861. He moved to Michigan at the age of eight. In 1881, when only 20 years of age, he entered the employ of the Michigan state penitentiary at Jackson, as a foreman of one of the workshops and remained there for two years. From the Michigan prison he went to Joliet, Ill., and was employed as a foreman of the state prison of that state for three years. He then removed to Madison, and entered the employ of the Singer Sewing Machine, being the general manager of the southern half of Wisconsin. In 1902 he was appointed warden of the state prison at Waupun and continued in that position until 1911. He was re-appointed warden in 1915 by Gov. Philipp and continued as such to date.
As warden, directing the discipline and control of the convicts of the prison, Mr. Town has been a strict disciplinarian. Mr. Town does not believe in what he terms some of the modern coddling and advocated by many well meaning reformers. He believes it is error to make a term of penal servitude an enjoyable vacation rather than a term of punishment. Mr. Town was one of the first wardens to organize a band and orchestra and the many other entertainments and recreation privileges granted.
“Wisconsin has waited too long for the appointment of a non-political board to conduct the affairs of the charitable and penal institutions of the state,” sais Senator Al. C. Anderson in the senate when the town confirmation came up. “The first move to place this board and this all important work upon a higher plane was taken today by the appointment of Henry Town, as a member of the state board of control.
“The first merit of this appointment is that it marks a new and better state policy for Wisconsin. Good men and honest men have been appointed to the board of control in the past, but the appointment of Mr. Town indicates a new policy of appointing a man because of his preeminent fitness for the office. Such an appointment, without the suggestion of political interest, is truly commendable and in the years to come this new move will show its impress in better organized, better managed and more efficient charitable and penal institutions.
“Moreover, Mr. Town has ability. If there is any class of people who need the protecting arm of the state it is the unfortunates in the institutions. I am glad today that ther will be placed on the board of control a man whose long experience will aid in bringing co-operation and efficiency to these unfortunates.
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1861 - 1932 (70 years)
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