The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1860-01-13
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

STATE PRISON.

This institution merits a distinct notice The
facts and suggestions contained In the reports Of
the BOARD Of inspectors and Warden should attract
your special confederation. Since the last General
Assembly some eighty Eve have been added to the
number OF conyicts. On account of this unexam-
pied increase the appropriation made for the gener
nj support of the prison proved wholly inadequate
1t did not indeed hold out year The price OF
provisions kept mp, and being scarceand command
ing a ready cash market, could not be obtained on
so long credit except upon terms at once exorbi-
tant and inadmissible. An attempt on the part Of
the inspectors to effect loan of money for this
purpose proved unsuccessful Was forced to the
necessity of opening the prison doors fnrniahng
the requisite supply. This latter alternative was
adopted, but only compiished through the Co
operation and Indulgence ea.Auditor and Trea-
surer of the State, who permitted me to take some
six or seven thousand dollars of the revenue whilst
in fransftu from the county collectors to the State
Treasury, upon my personal receipt. 1t viii be
necessary for you to legalse this transaction,
| pprehend and have the Treasury credited with
the requisite amount, and this ask may be done.
Where by oversight or mica lculation the appro-
ristion has failed to meet any emergency of this
description, sub init whether it would not be we'll
te authorize the census Board or some other agency
power TO supply the deficiency until the sitting
of the ensuing General Assembly. ] regret TO
make known the fact that there has been some mis-
understanding and disagreement among the Off
IT this institution and between the Prison
contractors, which have led to much irritation of
feeling, complaint and litigation. 1t is unncces-
sary for me to express any opinion upon the char
meter Of those difficulties with view Of determn-
ing where the blame lies. But it does appear 10
mo that if the Warden was no dependent upon the
Board If Inspectors for the term of his Office and
he duties and powers Of each were clearly defined
by law, ii would TO check abu SEES and
tend to secure both harmony and independence Of
action.
Representati made to me last May touching
the discipline an condition Of the Prison accounts
49, httxna IN
SAM satisfied me that the interest of the State de-
manded an investigation with the view of ascer-
tanning the condition Of the one and the manner
and system observed in conducting the other.
acccr tng,y commissioned Thes. S. Espy, Ros't A.
Russell and H. Q. Jfnnison to make examina-
ton &c the affairs of this institution and report as
contemplated by fAn act 10 authorize tibet Governor
to appoint Commissioners to examine the accounts
Of State Officers, and to define the duties of the
Governor In certain cases. The very thorough
aud satisfactory report made by these Com mis-
sioners is submitted TO you, and should be con-
sdered In connection with that of the Board of In
speetors.
spection Of their repr t that the affairs OF the in
stitntion have been conducted carecssly and with
ont system--that the books of accounts IN q
confused condition and could not be balanced that
al ,7ge had been traced a deposit into the hands
Of bankers, and had been lost sight of by the Off
GERS and would in all probability have been lost to
the State but for this investigation. Much Of this
rregularty and confusion In the accounts undou BIT
eddy IS attributable the acts of an ncom petent
book kseper-which demonstrates the Importance
OF having professional accountant to keep the
books in an institution where large Of money
to be disbursed for various pur poses under dis
timer appropriations.
To the report of the Conan issioners is appended
general balance sheet, obtained only by re-journ-
alEing the books and correcting the errors, and
supp ying the omissions, and which comes down
from the commencement of our State organization
to the lst of June, 1859, exhibiting the following
result: