New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-11-08

2 The prison officers have been allowed 70 make pur
ehases from the prson stores 10 violation of Law.
J. The agent Of the Auburn Prison has purchased
lumber and labor from a firm in which be was inter
ested partner II Is urged in excuse that this was
done under circumstances which made necessary f1r
the public interest But cannot admit that any mecca
sify VIII justify pubic ofcer m holding the rslsJn OF
HprvEte party 20 his official transa -nOns- 80 az 20
derive pecuary advantage from the exercise Of pow.
ers conferred exclusively for the public benefit Tue
law has wisely prohibited the agents Of the state from
blending their personal interests with the peri rance
Of their official trusts, and rigd adherence 20 tais
principle i our only security for upright All disin
terested administration Of public afars-
4 The arrangement by which certam convic;s were
conveyed from SingSing 20 Auburn, and let to Con-
tractor Ross to labor in the trade OF sboemaSng WIN
ADVERTISING contrary 20 law though usuce r.
quires to Say that am convinced the inspectors
considered the arrsn cement beneficial 20 the state
The statute requires that the conyicts shall DC en-
poyed in the traies 70 which they cerhed; AM L
appears that this requirement has in many cases been
dsregarded
g. Convicts have been allowed to perform overwork
and receive pay therefor from the contractors.
T. The msnncr IN which the accounts have been KEPT
a. the Auburn Prison is irregular and unsasiactoTy
though il lie shown that any actual fraud has been
committed under this head.
Tie Inspectors have not sufficiently regarded the
provision Of law which requires them To ex mime
and inquire into all matters connected with the GOV
ernment discipline, and police OF each prison. the
punishment and employment OF the convicts therein
confined the money concerns and contracts for work
and the purchases and sales Of the articles provided for
each pTison OF sold account thereof
The punishment by the shower bath IL 0eheved 70
be nhuman in many cases dangerous 70 the healtn OIL
the convict and entirely unwArTanted by law Tll'
mode Of punishment should, in my judgment, be
promptly abandoned.
have carefully considered the question, whether
under any or all these allegations such caseis pre-
scented to Justify me in exercising the power OF re
ova vested in the Governor by section 3D. chapter 100
of the Laws Of 1871 The removal Of public officer
for charges Of misconduct and malversaton IN oe u
an extreme penalty which ought not 10 be enforced ex
cept upon clear positive, and unquesuonable grounds
The evidence should show willful violation OF duty
Errors Of judgment, and omissions which are exenu
ated by long usage should be corrected by mder pro-
ceeding
have found much enbarrass men in coming to saiac
tory determination In all affecting the reputation
and the rights Of citizen the party accused is entitled
70 the benefit Of every just doubt and to the most avor
able Interpretation Of motives consistent with the esab
lished facts.
That the Inspectors have been wanting in vigilance
that they have failed to enforce the principles OF ac
countabty and subordinaon essential % the good
government Of the prisons and that abuses have
been tolerated which they should have suppressed am
not permitted TO doubt They seem to have relied too
implicitly upon subordinate officers, apparently forget
ting that tie law after investing in the Inspectors the
most ample powers Of supervision, intended to hold
them responsible for correct and upright adminstra
ton OF our prison system, in ell its branches.
But there II evidence OF corrupt mercenary in
tentons on the part of the Inspectors 1t does not mp
pear that they have derived any profit from their offices
beyond the compensation fixed by law, that they
cognizsnt oil all the deinquencies imputed TO in
ferior officers. ! am convinced that they have not
sufficiently realized the magnitude of their responsible
titles or the necessity for efficient and systematic
ercse of the powers with which they are clothed
Finally after much reflection, and upon full review
of ell the circumstances have adopted the conclusion
that while there is just for censure, removal from
Office would be harshcr Judgment than the case re-
quires
=
the Inspectors will reform existing abuses and prevent
their recurrence that they will require from all the
subordinate officers more rigid compliance with the
regulations of law and that they will discharge their
own duties with increased efficiency and more en-
lghtened comprehension Of the nature and extent Of
their official responsibilities WASHINGTON HUNT