Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-03-09


ccedngs Of tho Legislature in relation to that Ins-
tuition.
On motion OF Mr.. Atkinson OF IIalifax. Resoired,
That the Committee the Penitcniary Institution,
be instructed enquire into the otIical conduct Of
Ssu,ucl r. Parsons the present Superintendent, from
the commencement of his of service; that thcs
be authorised send for persons aud papers and that
they make report thcrcupon to this House.
The Committee after having Investigated the sub
;cct, made the following report
The Committee appointed to examine into the
state of the Pcnitent,ary Institution. and who by
resolution ofthc House of Delegates. were instruct
cd to inquire into tho oicinl conduct of Samuel p.
Parsons, the present Superin cndent. from the CON-
menccment OF his term of vice, with authority to
send for persons and papers, huve performed the duty
assigned them, and bc leave to submit the following
The Committee summoned before them all the Off
ccrs of the INSTITUTION, who being duly sworn, were
infinitely examined respecting several transactions
supposed TO impca.c the integrity of the Supcricn-
dent. After laborous investigation (which related
principally to small error in tho Supcrntcnrent's
private with the institution the Committee
OF the opinion that there is no ground to believe
that he uctuatcd in any instance by unworthy
natives. The explanation given, satisfied the Com
Itcc, that the amounting dollars and
ninety sir and hay cents,) was committed without
the knowledge of the Superintendent, and without
any improper intention on his part The Testimony
clearly proved, that no similar had ever before
hccn committed i'll his account with any ofe wards,
tuition for articles furnished him, work done on his
Individual account the sa: prices paid by others for
articles work of the like kind and value. Indc-
pendent of the very satisfactory explanations which
were given, it appears to the Committee thst the
high character which the Superintendent has hereto
fore borne honest and faithful officer ought
to cSoneratc him from the mputaton of any fraudu-
lent intent, i'll relation TO this isolated and small tran
saction.
II is easy To conceive, that the authority with |
which Ike Supern,cnd ut Is necessarily invested, to
uy1fp
tion essential to its safety and good manage
mcn:, will often excite discomfort and i'll will among
those who may feel tho exercise of that auority:S
And is well known, that the Superintendent though
calm, cquablc and uniform in his tcmpcr is firm
decided and inffcxiblc as disciplnsrian qualities
which. The opinion of the Committee cmncnty fit
him for the arduous station to which he lus been as
signed Subordinate officers of the Institution, who
may consider that the Superintendent requires of
them too rigid performance of their duty,--di.-
charged oooricis, who may have felt the lash of a
wholesome discipline, which they but well dcscr-
vcdand persons refused admittancc into the Insti-
tpiion, when GAZING to visit it ut hours prohibited by
the rules OF the prson,-may often be too much dis
posted to give utterancc to unreasonable complaints
and excite unfavorablc preudices against any Su
perntendent who will discharge his duty. The Com
mittee we'll aware, that the operation of these
causes, has had its full effect relation to the pre-
sent Superintendent, and of opinion, that much
allowance should be made, while listening to CHARGES
which, for the reasons aforementioned, may frequent
ly originate in malice or disappointment. The Com
ceS which have to their knowledge during the
investigation in which they have jus been engaged
and which they deem 1t unnecessary here to repent
The committee OF opinion that the enquiry
directed be mnde into the official conduct of the
Superintendent, "from the commencement of hts
FERN of service" not intended by ne House of
Delegates to relate further bac, than the perie,
when he first into Office after tho cunflagra ton
of the Pcnentiary. 1t is we'll known, that most
searching investigation was instituted into the con-
duct of the present Superintendent anterior to the
MIR fnI nt uybipl bc ovoIf nG;,
year 1872, and tina: the same'matters were second
time must thoroughly investig gated, when he was
9gain brought forward in the year 1924, candi-
date for the Office he now holds. The subjects of
these enquiries were then fresh in the recollection of
tho Legislature, and of course were likely to be
understood and correctly judged then than they can
possibly be at this distant day. The committee arc
ofopinon, that the election Of the present Supcrin
tendent, under the peculiar circumstances in which
ire then brought to the notice of the Legislature
elould be regarded as triumphant acquttal of all
the charges which at that time were perseverngly
urged against him. The committee think proper
however to remark, that the Superintendent soil
cfted provided any ,aen,ber of the committee should
desire III free, full, and reiterated investigation into
the whole any part of his official conduct since
TN. first day he became officer Of the Institution
Upon candid review of the general conduct of
the SuperintcEdcnt, SO far this Committee have
rad any opportunity efjudgng, they take pleasure in
saying, that they regard him a faithful Jealous
and highly talented officer, and peculiarly fitted for
the. station which he holds. They have tbcre1oro
adopted the following resolution:
Resotued' as ne opinion Of this Committee, That
the official conduct of Samuel p Parsons the present
Superintendent of the Penitenary Institution Justly
entities him TO the undiminished confidence of the
Legislature
This resolution was agreed to without opposition
Eatract from The Report Of tie Joint Committee.
"'Phe Committee, after particular examination
into the subject, take pleasure in declaring their un
qualified appreciation of the admirable police and dis
cipno OF the prison, the neatness, order and repu
which Obenfy in MI ifa
the unremitted attention and vigilance manifested by
the Superintendent, in the management of the police
and the various operations Of the institution"
CONGRESS-.
FRIpAY, March ).
In the Senate, petitions aud memorials were pre-