The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-10-08
THE STATE PRISON--AGAIN.


THE STATE PERSONAL---VERY..
The people have not forgotten that in 1889, an
Act of the Legislature was passed authorizing
committee Of three to let out the labor of the State
Prison This committee consisted of Charles Hop
kins, John Mouon and Otis Chamberlin. The
passage Of the Act and the appointment Of the COM
mttee was the labor of Hercules Both were
fought with desperate resolution by ]. w. Hub
bard and his friend Col. Coolidge, the Speaker;
and with better reason than was accredited 10
them at the ,ime The Act was, passed however,
and the committee appointed, and it was hoped
the intrisues and specula,ions of Brown, headed,
for one year AT least
The committe advertised, as by the Act Of the
Legislature directed, in the public papers, that, on
day specified in the advertisement, they would
meet 10 receive proposals. 1t was well known that
MIR Hubbard was DESTROYS Of contracting for the
labor of the Prison, and-as will appear soon,
Brown and Hopkins had leagued together to foil
the object Of the Legislature, and keep the labor
of the Prison in his own hands the frs, grand OBJ
iect was to "head of" him. This was done in
this wise, by the chairman of the comm,c, Charles
Hopkins. ~" Hopkins informed Mr. w. l..
Sabin--another gentleman wishing to obtain the
contract--of HuJbards proposal; told him whai
he must bid to orerreach him, and finally DREW
UP AND PRESENTED TO SABIN, A PROPOSAL,
which would do this eGeciualiy. I'll. THIS
PROPOSAL ORIGINALLY WENT BEFORE
THE COMMITTEE IN HOPKINS OWN
HANDWRITING, and was accepted. Mr. Hub
bard was now rid of, and Sabn was next TO be dis
posed Of Hopkins took Sabin's proposals and he
and Brown, no doubt, drew up contract, on the
part Of the State. And such an outrageous affair
never was seen on paper! 1t give Brown the use
OLA large portion Of the Prison buildings and other
property Of tho State belonging to the Prison, of
which Sabin should have had the use, and Lound
him to indemnify the State for all losses the build
ing or property of the Prison might sustain by
Providenlial occurrences; flood, fire. and earth
luakes not excepted i'm short such contract no
man in his senses would, for a moment, think Of
signing. This contract Hopkins and Brown knew
Sabin could not sign, and this was the way he was
to be STAYED Of. One move more, and all was
safe. The chairman Of the committee being solicit
ted to call another meeting of the committee TO de-
,ermnc If something further could not be done,
decided iha, when the committee adjourned it add
ourned without day; although the best legal gen.
tleuen in Woodstock, unhesatngly declared that
they had three months at their disposal to COM
pete the business. The committee did, therefore,
adjourn without day, and no one, as the chairman
declared. having made proposals in accordance
with the Act Of the Legislature, the labor Of the
Prison fell into the hands of Brown, the Supern-
dent! Thus, by the knavery of the chairman Of
the committee was the State defiauded of the sum,
stated in our last, which Sabin offered to pay for
the labor of the Prison, and Brown given an OPP
poituni,y 10 cane negro girls, and speculate in
sleeps pelts and old horses, at the expense of the
State. What Hopkins received Of Brown for hi.
services to the State! in this rasaclon, Of course
not being in their secrets, we do not know; those
who know that individual, however, will not easil,
4 believe tina, he labored for nothing If he coulG
draw a pretty handsome sum from the State nnc
Brown also, in tho same transaction, why, it would
: be all fair, for him; about as fair as was homes
: to inform Sabin how much he must bid to over
. reach Hubbard.
It In all this most dishonest and despicable trans
S action, the present Superintendent was concerned
> as no man doubts, who knows anything about tn
!, transaction In proof: during the siitngs of tn
C committee, he boosted, at one of the public house
IS in this place, that he should have the handling
Is the State Prison labor himself and ne did have
=" how he got it. let the people judge.
y We appeal to the members Of The Legislature
: about TO assemble to take the matter into serou
=. consideration. We repeat, the people in this :,
j. entity are ang loudly for change. Brown ha
&c become public nuisance, and all Of the opin
J. ion that no is needed in another direction
y We repeat again, also, that the State Prison, a
&c now managed, is more rotten than rottenncss itse
III The Legislature il their wisdom, can devise som
AZ plan to put a stop to such rascaty as was prac
m liced by Hopkins, and such specuations US ar
y now and have been carried on by the negro woman
G. whipper Brown. In conjunction with all goo
u friends Of the State, in this vicinity, we earnestl
pray them to do it.
J. 1t is due to Major Mouton to say, that he stoo
a out against the knavery of Hopkins like man, a
: soon as he could believe the baseness and dsho
es,y of the fellow. II is also due to Hopkins an
At Brown, 10 say, that have the documents at gu
= command to sub,iantiae good opinion Of them
!. in this article expressed.
N Again, and for the last time, we ppy The Legs
,s Iaiure 10 attend 10 this matter,