The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-05-12

furnished by Mr.. Wardwell. The Board
knew that the bills were incorrectly made
out.
The Board never authorized the sale OF
manufactured articles on credit-ln tact there
! is n law preventing it.
| The Board did require the Superin tendent
| to make requisition for the purchase of sup
| plies.
Witness said that the amount of coal pur-
chased by the Superintendent was in excess
| of the amount authorized had seen fire in
some of the cells. The Board had an investi-
| CATION in regard to the iron and brass removed
| from the penitentiary; the same was not ac-
counted for ut that investigation Mr.. Ward
| we'll was before the Board, and knew nothing
| of the metal removed.
Witness said the Board had sent Mr.
Strothcr, their clerk, TO endeavor TO collect the
amount due for the hire of couvicts, but that
he had not succeeded in making settlement.
Did not know the comparative cost OF fuel
between this year and last. Had no means OF
| ascertaininS this fact. Did not believe that
the Superintendent or any one else could
have general supervision over every little
mnutiie of the institution. There should be
a check on every employee. 1t is not expected
of the Superintendent that he should super
wise everything that comes in or goes out OF
the penitentiary. Thought the milk bill for
the inmates of the hospital was unnecessary.
Witness entered his protest 1T the time. Did
not know that the milk was ordered BY the
doubts about it, and believed the excess was
TOO great The conricts are fed on wheat
bread, while the law directs corn bread 10 be
given them. Believes that coffee is also given
TO the prisoners. A resolution had been Of
fered ut the last meeting of the Board to dis
continue the purchase Of milk. The law di-
rects what the hospital diet shall be, and wit
ness was sorry to say that that law had never
been carried out to his knowledge.
Mr.. Charles II. Page, sworn, testified that
i ~, 1f
January offered TO sell to Messrs. Charles
Morriss S Co eighty five tons of coal at rs 80
for cash had retailed coal throughout the
month of March at $50, and had sold some
| rs low as $3.50; this was anthracite coal; had
seen conyicts employed at Wardwel's yard on
several occasions the best egg coal sold in De-
cember for $40 and $40. 80, in January for $40,
and in February for SO.
Mr.. A. T. Burr, recalled, testified that
there were conyicts employed at Mr.. Ward
wells yard ; there were some times rs many
as ten or twelve there. Some OF the coal sent
to the penitentiary was what is called nut
coal and some broken coal. Mr.. Wardwell
told witness 10 keep an account of the labor
performed by the convicts who were engaged
in cleaning out bricks.
T. w. Walton sworn, testified that he was
~ one time on duty at the penitcntiary rs q
member of the Public Guard; went ont with
n convict named Schomaker quite often ; did
not know what he purchased witness's or
ders were only to accompany the prisoner tC
see that he was safely returned.
H l.. Wigand, sworn, testified that Mr.
Wardwell came to his house and had con-
versaton with him relative TO what the office
of General agent paid. Mr.. Wardwell told
witness that something could be made in the
purchase of tobacco without the payment OF
the revenue tax. Witness said on one occa-
sion he saw q lot of tobacco on which there
was no revenue stamps. Did not see the box
on which the stamp might have been affixed.
Witness transacted the business OF the Gene
raj Agent, and received half the profits. Wit
ness makes all the purchases. The agent ac-
cepted the position rs General Agent OH con-
dition that witness would undertake TO trans.
act the business. Witness was Mr.. Lees
bondsman in the sum of 5000.
The Board, after hearing unimportant tes-
timony, adjourned until tomorrow, when ii
is probable the evidence for the prosecution
will close.