The Placer herald., 1859-04-30

| endorse that most heartily. and | belev,
every member here does the same 1t is seen by
the report itself, that as soon Gov. Walkul
heard these rumors relative to this man Harrison
he went Immediately to San Francisco to inves
tigatc the subject and was engaged at the
time this committee were appointed. | presume
the investigation then stopped, because Gov
Walkup having as much confidence in the ability
integrity, and morality of the committee as the
Speaker of the House who appointed them. was
perfectly willing to leave the matter in their
hands
Charge 6. 1t will be seen by this charge that
Harrison in making purchases for the Prison re-
tanned money in his own hands, and gave his
indvidu notes instead 1t would seem from the
charge that the committee were investigating the
case OF Harrison rather than of Gov. Walkup 1t
is not charged that Harrison did not purchase the
supplies, butt will read the report
by reference to the testimony of Murphy,
Larkin. Angenot. Mckay and Others, it will be
seen that Mr. Harrison did. on several occasions.
when he made purchases for the Prison, retain
some Of the money in his hands, and give his in
dividual note for the same. and that several
vouchers were thus obtained for so much cash
which was not in fact paid. Also, that vouchers
were obtained from other parties in San Fran
cisco, representing cash disbursements but for
which bricks were to be furnished, and that the
bricks are still undelivered."
| understand this to be Il charge against this
hdi (iluiIlSoH) VINO IluttNdScu tllc supplies.
The committee say further: our Committee
are of the opinion that the cash represented by
many of those vouchers. particularly the smaller
ones, was actually advanced by Coy. Walkup to
Harrison that the latter, on his own responsible
ty. retained the amounts, giving his individual
notes in lieu of the money, and that Gov. Walkup
was not aware at the time it was DONE that his
agent was keeping any money back
THE SPEAKER. The gentleman's time has 'cX-
pircd.
Nix. SrRNrToN | believe | am speaking by
leave of the House. This is probably the last
time shall ever attempt to address II Legislative
body and | crave the Indulgence of members
1t is necessary this matter should be Investigated.
As relates to this 9Th charge, ii is not cOntcnded
that the State sustained any pecuniary loss. If
any one is liable to blame il the persons who took
these notes. 1t is plainly shown that no one
made anything by these transactions except llar-
rison; that Gov Walkup was notat the time aware
of the facts.
The committee go on to say: This dealing on
the part of Mr.. Harrison. your committee think,
should have led TO his dismissal soon as the
Board of Direct RS wcsc apprsed of it. Such
result has not followed the very grave faults
committed by this cmploy6 of the prisonhe is
still in the service of the State"
Yes sir. There is no doubt about that Conclu
sion. This man (llarrson) should have been dis
missed as as the Board o. Directors We're
appriscd of his actions. But the committee do
not tell lis the Board were apprscd. If a man
commit murlcr. which is u hanging offence, he
should be hanged, but first he must be shown to
be convicted. undertake to assert that the
Board were not informed of this man 5 acts, con
scquentiy they could not have dismissed him.
Such a result has not followed the very grave
faults committed by this employee of the Prison
he is still in the service of the State will
comment on that. 1t appears to me thcrcare two
othcY State Prison d rcctors besides Gov. Walkup.
The committee charge that the Board still retain
this man Harrison. So. far as one of the meml erS
(WcIlcrD Of that Board is concerned, We have
endorsed his action by the passage of bill giving
him the exclusive and entire control of the Pr,son.
do not say this is not correct but that 10y doing
so we have virtually endorsed his whole action
as Il member Of the Board of Directors despite the
report of the special committee II then we en-
dorse the action of Gov. Weller in this relation
we also endorse that of Gov Wakup who acted
in connection with the Executive. Indeed of the
two Directors, Gov. Weller had as much authority
in the management of the affairs of the Prison as
Gov. Wakup. and more too for that matter
Charge 7th, charges that the price of labor and
improvements, set forth in the report of the
Directors, for the erection of buildings. for
material, etc, was too high. Here is what the
Board say relative to the subject, and ! would
simply suggest ifanything wrong can be charged
upon one Director in this it can with equal justice
be charged upon the entire Board.
"Thc account current will show that the cash
received as the proceeds Of Prison labor, is
twenty-five thousand eight hundred and fifty
EIGHT dollars and eight cents. In order that we
might be relieved from the suspicion OF Unfair
ness, we secured the services of two practical
builders, disconnected entirely with the Prison,
to measure and fix the value of the buildings and
other improvements made by the prisoners.
Their statement will show that during the months
Of March and April. when the Prison was in
charge of the Governor the labor was worth
eleven thousand three hundred and forty-Iour dol
lars and thirteen cents, and during the succeeding
eight months the whole labor, (including brick
and stone on hand at market prces,) seventy
seven thousand five hundred and tWenty-thrce
dollars and thirty eight cents.'
The Board tell us they secured the services OF
two competent men who appral ed Gas aboVc)
the value of the buildings etc. Here is the GER
tilcate appended to the estimate of these men
who were appointed be it remembered not by
Governor Walkup, but by the Board :
eve, the undersigned, having been called upon
by the Acting Warden. have made the foregoing
estimates Of improvements made upon the grounds
of the State Prison of California, from May LIST,
1858, to January LIST, 1889.
HENRY WEBB.
JOHN B. QUINTOR."
The gentlemen estimate the value OF the inl-
at a certain sum ; the committee have
found from their evidence that other men esti-
mate another sum as the value. have no doubt
Whatever if we were to send another committee
they would find men who would estimate the value
at still another sum. 1t is simply a question OF
veracity, or of opinion. Coy. Walkup cannot be
called in question on such account The Board
of Directors thought the improvements worth so
much the committee that they were worth
different sum. That is all, and contend the
charge falls wholly to the ground.
By charge eighth, it will be SEEN from me tes-
timony of Dr. Taliafero, Messrs Colster' Kelly,
Putnam. and Others that Lieutenant Governor
Walkup, whilst acting as Chiei-Warden OF the
Prison did, on several occasions, participate in
dances
(After a pause) The report goes on to show
whom the dances were who attended them. and
who was the fiddler. have nothing to say in