The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-05-12
THE rEN1TENTIARY EmBRoGLGo
S Z Y Z N T II D A Y
The Old Iron and Esiik Busine
WHEAT BREAD AND COFFEE.
A Ring Within a Ring.

The Board met yesterday Mt the usual hour,
and the following evidence was taken:
William 7. Seay, sworn, testified: Knew OF
iron having been sent out of the penten ntary
1T different times. 1t was ntered on witness s
book as cash. Did not know who received the
money. Mr.. Wardwell did receive eighty dol
lars for the first lot. A wheel, which might
have been Of value 10 any one who had use for
il, was broken up and sold for old iron No
effort was made TO sell it rs 4 wheel. Saw a
steam pump in the furnishing room. Scho-
maker had done some work on it.. Believed it
was there still. knew Of no one in charge of
the penitentiary during the absence OF the Su-
perintendent who was not an officer Had
known Schomaker TO go down frequently, but
there was always guard with him. Knew
of a convict being sent out of the peniten tiary
| in citizens clothes with guard. Witness
was also aware that prisoners were put i'll
charge OF the stables and cows without Il
guard. II man had no use for the wheel
spoken of it would not sell for anything but
old iron. Had known Cornig and Lee to be- in
charge Of the penitentiary at night. They
performed the du ties of inside officers.
William B. Moseby testified that he knew
Of convicts being employed At Mr.. Ward
wells yard.
George L. Smith testified that the bill for
| milk furnished the penitertiary was made out
in his name, with his knowledge and consent.
Had no interest in the milk. Furnished Il bill
OF tobacco-some llo pounds. The bill was
turned over TO the General Agent in settle
ment, for cash. The amount was due 10 wit
ness. II has not been paid 10 witness. The
bill was used by the Superintendent, and did
not consider him witEess's debtor for the
amount of the bill. Witness borrowed the
money from the Superintendent to purchase
the tobacco. Gave him a due bill for the
money. Did not know whether the tobacco
had any revenue stamps on it had not seen
any. Sold the tobacco for more than il cost
Mr.. Champlin, recalled, testified The mo-
ney received for the hire OF convicts was ac-
counted for by Mr. Wardwell. DO not know
exactly how long Mr. WardW well kept the mo-
ney so received in his possession. The money
was rendered 70 the General Agent in April.
Sales on credit were made by Mr.. Wardwell
In one instance the Superin tendent took =
partys note. These transactions do not ap-
pear on Witness's book. The Agent did not au-
thoriZe the Superintendent 10 make any sales
on credit. The books in witness { possession
have not been changed since the commence
ment Of the Investigation. On Saturday til g
10th of April an entry was made on the books
for the hire of conyicts. This was done in 4
settlement with the General AGENT.
The old State House, witness believed, was
torn down by convicts under the direction OF
the Superintendent. The money for The sale
Of the material has not yet been paid. Wit
ness did not know by whose authority the sale
of the material was made.
Joseph +. Powell, sworn, testified that he
was appointed a member OF the Board OF Di-
rectors OF the Penitent tiary by Governor Peir-
point. 1t Is required tnat requisition for
materials to be used at the penitentiary be
made. Many of these purchases We're made
without req uisi tion approved by the Board
These purchases were, however, subsequently
approved, and the bills passed by the Board.
The orders have been repeatedly violated by
Mr. Wardwell and his predecessor.
Witness said the bills for coal, &c, in the
name of Mr.. Burr, were passed by the Board.
II was his Impression that the articles We're