Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-01-14

purpose proved unsuccessful. l Was forced TO
the necessity Of opening the prison doors, or
furnishing the requisite supply. This latter
alternative was adopted, but only accom-
plished through the cooperation and indul-
oencs Of the Auditor and Treasurer of the
State, Who permitted me to take some six or
seven thousand dollars OF the revenue whilst
sstvaasitH from the county collec, ors TO the
State Treasury upon my personal receipt. Il,
will he necessary for you to Iepalize this
transactton l apprehend, and have the treas.
ury credited with tho requisite amount, and
this l ash may be done. Where, by oversight
OF m'scalcalation, the appropriation has failed
70 meet any emergency Of this description,
submit whether it would not be well to au-
thorize the Census Board, or some other
agency or power, to supply the deficiency
until the sitting OF the ensuing General As
sembly. ] regret to make known the fact
that there has been some Misunderstanding
and disag' cement among the officers of this
institution, and between them and prison con-
tractors, which have led TO much irritation Of
| feeling, cor liant and finally litigation. 1t is
nnnecesss Tor me to express any opinion
upon tic .racter of these difficulties, with
. view determining where the blame lies.
But 1t does appear TO me, that il the Warden
was not dependant upon the Board of Inspec-
tors for the term of his Office, and the duties
and powers Of each were clearly defined by
law, II would seem TO check abuses, aud tend
10 secure both harmony and Independence Of
action.
Representations made to me last May touch
ing the discipline and condition Of The prison
accounts, and Of abuses in the financial man
agement of the same satisfied me that the
interest Of the State demanded an investiga-
ton with view of ascertaining the condition
of the one and the manner and system Oh.
served in conducting the other. l according
" commissioned Thomas s. Epsy, Robert A.
Russell and II. O. Jennison, TO make an exam
ination of the affairs Of this institution and
report as contemplated and required by An
act to authorize the Governor to appoint Com
mtssioners to examine the accounts of State
O6ieers and to define the duties Of the Gorern-
or an certain cases" The very thorough and
satisfactory report made by these commission.
ers Is submitted to you, and should be con-
sdered in connection with that of the Board
of Inspectors.
You will not fail to perceive from a careful
inspection of their report that the affairs of the
institution have been conducted carelessly and
without system. That the books of accounts
were in confused condition and could not be
balanced-that &1,7OO had been traced as a
deposite into the hands of bankers, and had
been lost sight of by the officers and would in
all probability have been lost to the State but
for this investig alton. Much of this irregular
ity and confusion in the accounts undoubted-
ly Is attributable to the acts of an incomoe-
tent book keeper-whch demonstrates the
Importance of having professional account
ant to keep the books in an institution where
large sums of money are TO be discussed for
various purposes under distinct appropriation.
To the report of the Commissioners is ap-
pended general balance sheet, obtained only
by re-journalizing the books and correcting
the errors. and supplying the COMMISSIONS, and
which comes down from the commencement
of our State organization to the LIST Of June,
1859, exhibiting the following result: