Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1854-04-04

NJ tA.stfssA.p1s s0utrugeSs
= Very grave and serious charges have re.
coudy been brought against the officers Of
The Ohio Penitentiary, which, if true, show
its management 10 be in miserably corrup,
hands. Ii was brought 10 the notice Of the
Legislature few days ago, that female,
who has been confined in the penilentiary
,lor more than year was la,ely delivered Of
q child. A committee was appointed TO in.
vesliga,e the matter. A few days olIerward,
other charges were brought. We quote
from the legislative proceedings:
Mr.. Ross offered resolution for The ap-
poinlmenl of committee 10 investigate the
hogging and cruel treatment Of convic, in
the penlenliary.
Mr.. Ross said ta had this morning been
informed by an officer of the prison, that a
convict had been incarceraled in dungeon
and fed upon bread and water Cor twenty.
three days-i(tee days Of the time with the
light Of heaven excluded from his cell. and
during that time had received frequent and
severe noggings with Scat" an instrument
Of torture used in the prison. The object Of
this barbarous and inhuman conduct, was to
exlorl from him confession Of having $40.
len sum Of money that appeared 10 be mis-
sing at the prison. This convict IA colored
wailer) had been denied clothing TO lie on,
during the most inc!emenl weather, and his
sufferngs from this cause alone, have been
most intense. Mr.. Dlmmock, The Warden,
had ordered that clothing be supplied him,
bu, the order had been coun,ermanded by
WATSON, the Deputy Keeper. Mr. R. had
visited The prison with the other gentlemen
Of the committee, under the resolution OF
yesterday, and had there learned tale al,
which humanity would shudder. He dwell.
upon these circumstances with much warmth
and his sialemen! excited manifest indigna.
ZION in all paris Of the Hall. He said he
would hold himself fully responsible for the
truth of all ne had uttered. The truth had
not been half told, regarding the Infamous
conduc, of the officers Of the prison. Dur
ing the discussion of Yesterday, il had been
stated that The officers Of the prison courted
investigations; yet a man had been sent 10
his (Mr. R.'s) room to endeavor 10 dissuade
him from offering that identical resolution.
He had also been threatened with assassina'
ZION if he persevered When The committee
visited the prison 10 investigate the case Of
the woman, they learned that her cell had
been entered between six and seven o'clock
in the morning, when she was Informed that
resolution would be offered that day in the
House. No doubt she was also instructed
as to the story she was 10 give; bur he could
not speak positively on that point.
Mr. Cross said if such damnable things
were taking place in the psniten,iary, it was
lime investigation was had. What he had
heard was Of the most astounding character.
It was for such conduct that men were sent
10 lhe peniientiary, and if it was true, the
guilty ones ought 10 exchange places with
The coDvics. The statement he had heard
revived recollecIions Of the old Spanish in.
quisilun.
Mr.. Dean said the House had listened to o
,Ole, which if only hall substan,ialedby facts
was black enough 10 consign the perpetrators
TO inGamy. Such deeds were not TO be lole'
rated in civilized community. He hoped
the affair, and the affairs Of the prison gen.
orally, would be fully probed
Mr.. Allen, of Pike, moved to amend by
authorizing the committee 10 take testimony
Mr.. Perky offered an amendment provid'
ing for including investigation in other cases
Mr., Burchard said that for the purpose ol
having the amendment prepared properly,
he would move It's reference 10 select com.
miuee Of three. Agreed TO, and Messrs
Ross, Burchard, ard Dean appointed.
j In the afternoon, Mr.. Ross reported back
The resolution providing for the appointment
of committee 10 investigate the case OF in
human treatment Of a convict in the peniten.
uary, with an amendment extending the in.
vesligation TO other cases.
Mr.. Curly said he was not present In the
morning when the resolution was offered
and would like TO have the object stated By
The mover. He was unwilling 10 vote ar
implied censure upon public officer with
GU, just grounds.
Mr.. Ross explained the object of the res
ouiicn, which was then adopted unanimous
ly, and Messrs. Ross, Dean, Pruden, Tayo
and Goudy appointed committee oil lnves
ligaIion.