Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-03-13

Gov. ohns0n and the Inspectors of the
- Ran.ffan.nEnrv IL

tanI heei1ef; and that ne approached the In
sPectors tor the purpose of ascertaining whett-
er they would consent TO carry out his wishes
Finding that they would not surrender the
power vested by law in them into his hands,
he next sought to induce them to resign. Fail
ing in both. objects, he nominated to the Sen
ate several new boards, which were rejected.
Thwarted thus at every point, Democratic
Senator, doubtless at his instigation, offered a
resolution in the Senate, providing for the ap.
pOintment Of a committee to investigate the
official conduct of the Inspectors, and in some
remarks in support of his resolution, the said
Senator declared he expected to prove that
the Inspectors had violated The law for their
government. The resolution was adopted.
% On the Sd of March, Messrs Cooke, Stokes
and JOHNSON, a majority of the committee,
submitted their report on the subject. In
their report, after stating the condition of the
Penitentiary last March, when a portion of it
was burnt, they go on and say that The In
sPectors, with commendable generosity and
public spirit, borrowed money on their own
personal responsibility to rebuild it--and to
secure the completion of the work at the ear
liest practicable period, divided it out amongst
nl the mechanics who applied; but one Mr..
Henry HlD being denied, aud that denial was
made by Mr.. Paul on the ground that he Mr..
P.) was interested in Hills shop. Mr. Hill
subsequently received a small job, the nett
profits on which amounted to $50 or 500.
The reason why he received it is stated in Mr..
Paul's testimony. The committee say they
do mot believe that this was in violation OF
the letter or spirit of the law'-the Inspectors
"bad for the public good, and in q case OF
pressing emergency, for which the law made
no provision, voluntarily assumed to rebuild
the Prison; for the cost of which the State
was rot liable; neither was the Peutentary;
but the Inspectors individually. Hence, il
! neither the State nor the Prison was response
BILE for their acts, they were not guilty of a
violation" of the law "But if the conduct
of Mr.. Paul could be tortured into violation
of the law" the committee believe it was
"more honored in the breach than 10 the ob
servance," it being impossible to get as many
workmen as he absolutely needed.
In regard to DIR. Hah, the committee say
''there is no charge, proof or suspicion of a
violation of the law on his part"
Me- Brown had furnished the Prison with
wood when 1.-THE engine was about to stop for
the want of it," and charged no more for it
than what he was in the habi; of charging his
regular customers The committee say thes
feel that this is too small matter" for their
report, and they only refer to it because it had
been matter Of complaint,
The report concludes as follows:
They have not had time to investigate the official
conduct of Nr. White, the Keeper, as fully as they
desired. II is apparent, however, that some more
stringent regulations should be adopted and enforced
in regard the public stores, and his compensation
for boarding the guard
Mr.. HAYS, the deputy Keeper, so far as the
proof shows, has made faithful and efficient Off
Ger; there is no evidence against him of official mis-
conduct. 1t is true, he has been frequently absent
from the Prison, but with few exceptions, his abb
sence was at the instance of the Keeper and upon
official business The time too short to give
his conduct a full examination. For all these facts
and others not alluded to 10 this report, the com
mittee refer the Senate to the proof herewith filed
In conclusion they would state that they have en-
tered upon this investigation with full determine
ton to make thorough and searching examination
of the whole matter submitted to them and to keep
nothing back. Accordingly, they called Governor
Johnson before them and Intercepted him without
objection, as to his knowledge of misconduct on
the part Of the Inspectors and the deputy Agent,
and in regard to his own official cOnduct as con
nected with the Penitentiary, and gave him an Cd
portuDity criminate eIculpate himself: so they
did with Mr.. Hays, the deputy Keeper, without
objection and they felt that il due To Justice
and fairness to all concerned, to examine Mr. Paul.
cne # the Inspectors. IL was our purpose to ex-
anime the other two Inspectors and also mir White,
the Keeper, and were only prevented from doing so
for the want OF time.
There has been nothing disclosed ia the proof
which, 10 our opinion, would make it necessary for
further legislation in regard to the Inspectors. We
are satisfied that they have violated no law-bren
guilty Of no moral wrong and from the character
OF the Inspectors ss Of integrity and moral
worth, we are satisfied the public interest will not
suffer under their administration.
A minority report was submitted by Messrs.
CARTER and DEAN, in which it is stated that
the evidence taken shows that Messrs Paul
and Brown, Inspectors, in their official cspa
city, had violated tile law.
We spread the evidence before the readers
of the Patriot, and they can form their own
opinions of the conduct Of the Inspectors and
Gov. johnson, after reading it.
THE TESTIMONY.
The select committee appointed by the Speaker
Of the Senate To investigate the affairs Of the Pen
Tertiary under the resolution submitted by the Sen
ator from Franklin, met this 22nd February, 1885,
10 the Judiciary Committee Room of the Senate
Present, all the members of said committee, TO Wit
Messrs Carter, Dean, Stokes, johnson aud Cooke.
A. G. Faris, witness, was introduced aud sworn;
and states as follows:
Question by Mr.. Carter Please state whether
you ever beard either of the Inspectors Of the Pen
itentAry say that they we're interested as contrac
tors in any portion Of the work Of the Penitentary;
II so, what work?
Answer The other day heard Mr. Paul say
that he had never denied that he interested with
Mr.. Hill in job OF carpenters work that was done
at the prison.
Please state the value Of the cell doors.
have never examined the cell doors after they
we're hung aud cannot state their value. por
ton OF the iron work done at the prison by the
couvcts How much cannot saw. l was present
when the carpenters work was given out There
was no price agreed upon, but the understanding
was, that when the work Was finished il TO be
measured by disnterested individuals and the price
10 be fixed by them. | did part vi the work nv
self A. Z. FARIs.
Henry Ill., next sworn, states:
Question by Mr.. Carter State whether you
we're partner or foreman lor either Of the Inspsc.
tors 10 the carpenters work done at the Prison In
the recent rebuilding OF the sam1
Answer. Me-. Paul aud INV self we're partners in a
small portion Of IT, The value Of the work done by
me- as partner, vas s470.Ss except small job
took from NJ. Congrr, ne fearing that be NoulI not