Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-03-09

In compliance with the wishes Of the Supcriutcnd-
ant Of the Pent entary publish the following pro-
ccediugs of the Legislature relation TO that lnsti-
tuition.
FRupAY. December II. 1879.
(ln motion OF Mr. Atkinson ut Halifax. Resofred,
That the Committee on tho Pcnfenfiary Institution,
be instructed to cuqirc into The official conduct OF
Samuel r. Parsons, The present superintendent, rom
tho commencement Of his term OF service; that they
be authorised send for VERSIONS and papers, any that
they make report thcTcupon to this House.
: The Committee af,cr having investigated the sub
;cct made tho following report:
Tho Committee appointed to examine into the
state of the Penitcn;ury Institution, and who by
resolution ofthe House of Delegates. were instruct
cd to inquire into the official conduct OF Samuel L.
Parsons tho present Supcrn. cndent. from the CON-
nrcnccmcnt Of his term of vice, with authority to
So Tor persons and papers, have performed the duty
unsigned them, and beg leave TO submit the following
report: g.,
GERS Of tho Instiiuion, wins being duly sworn were
infinitely examined respecting several transactions
supposed mplc1.c the integrity OF the Superintcn-
dcnt After aborlons investigation (which related
principally to a small in the Superintendent
private account with the Institution the Committee
arc Of the opinion, that there is ground to believe
that he was actuatcd in any instance by unworthy
motives. The explanation given, satisfied the Goa
i;tcc that the amounting TO dollars ana
ninety sic and hnT ccn;s) was committed without
the knowledge Of the Superintendent, und without
any improper intention OH his part. The testimony
Clearly proved that no similar error had ever before
been committed i'll his account with any oithe wards,
and that he has been uniformly charged by the Ins;-
tuition for articles furnished HIM, work done on his
individual account the same prices paid by others for
articles or work Of the like kind and value. Indc
pendent of the very satisfactory explanations which
were given, it appears to the Committee, that the
high character which the Superintendent has hereto
fore borne honest and faithful officer. ought
Nt.n,r ,faftz, nfo E-o, l,,
Lent intent, in relation to this isolated aud small tran
saction.
Il ia easy To conceive, that the authority with
which Tic Superintendent necessarily invested 10
enable him to maintain such police IN the lnstitu-
ton, as is essential to its safety and good manage.
ment, will often excite discomfort and i'll will among
those who may feel tho exercise Of that authority
And ia well known, that the Superintendent though
calm, equsble, md uniform III his temper, is firm,
decided and niflexibe disciplinaran; qualities
which, in the opinion of the Committee, eminently fit
him for the arduous station to which he has been
signed. Subordinate officers of the institution who
may consider that the Superintendent requires of
them too rigid performance of their duty-di
charged oonvicts, who may have felt the lash Of
wholesome discipline, which they but too well dcscr-
ved-and persons refused ndmittance into the Inst;-
tution when calling to visit it hours prohibited by
the rules of the prison,-mey often be much dis
posed to give utterance 10 unreasonable complaints
ind to exotic unfavorable preludces against any Su
perntendent who will discharge lis duty The Com
mttee are well aware, that the operation of these
causes has had its full effect in relation to the pre-
sent and arc of opinion, that much
allowance should be made, while listening to charges
which, for the reasons just mentioned, frequent
~ originate in malice or disappointment. The CON-
miitee feel justified in these remarks, by circumstan
which have c3mc to their knowledge, during the
Investigation in which they have just been engaged,
and which they deem it unnecessary here to repeat
The committee Of opinion, that the enquiry
directed to be made into the official conduct of the
Superintendent, "ffom the commencement of his
tnrn of service" not intended by the House of
Delegates to relate further back than TO the period
when no first came into office after the eouflograton
of the Penitentiary II is well known, that most
searching investigation instituted into the cor
duct Of the present Superintendent, anterior to the
period at which he was removed from office in the
year 1872, and thu. the same matters were second
time most thoroughly investigated, when he was
again brought forward in the year 1924, candi.
date for the Office he holds The subjects of
chese enquiries then fresh in the recollection of
the Legislature and Of courae were likely to be
understood and correctly judged then than they can
possibly be at this distant day The committee
ocopinon, that the election Of the present Supcrin
tendent, under the peculiar circumstances in which
he then brought to tbs notice Of the Legislature
should be regarded as triumphant acqutta of all
the'chnrges which at that time were SO persevcringy
urged against him. The committee think proper
however, to remark, that the Superintendent soli-
cited provided any member Of the committee should
desire il free, full, a7d reiterated investigation into
the whole or any part of his official conduct, since
THO first day ho became officer Of the Institution
Upon candid review Of the general conduct of
the Superintendent, far this Committee have
had any opportunity efudging, they take pleasure in
saying, that they regard him faithful jealous,
and highly talented officer, and peculiarly fitted for
the station which he holds. They have, therefore.
adopted the following resolution:
Resolved, as the opinion Of his Committee, That
the official conduct Of Samuel p Parsons the present
Superintendent of the Peoeniary Institution Justly
entities him TO the undimnishcd confidence of the
Legislature.
This resolution was agreed to without opposition.
Extract from the Report IF The Joint Committee
"The Committee, after a particular examination
into the subject, take pleasure in declaring their un.
qualified appreciation of the admirable police and dis
cpllne Of the prison, the neatness order and reru
lafty which are observed in all lis departments apd
the unremted attention and vigilance manifested bv
the Superin cndent In the ma ane,nnnt nf H. 49,