The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-05-11
PENITENTIARY IMBR OGLIO.

IL DA1
The Board met on yesterday morning in
pursuance of adjournment. The following
evidence was taken:
George +. Strother, recalled, testified ::
Clerk Of the Board Of Directors. The Board
decided witness was not an officer. Was an
officer Of the institution at one time. Had
charge of the pententiary on two occasions
once while an officer and another when clerk
of the Board. The books will show what bills
have been made. Those bills are generally
certified by Mr.. Wardwell, and then ordered
to be paid by the Board. package of bills
was presented to witness, who, after examin-
ing them, said that the same were entered on
the record. There was no requisition made
for the purchase of these articles. The pur-
chases were however, approved by the Board.
Witness was under the impression that the
Board knew these bills were not original.
Neither the Governor nor the Auditor were
apprized of the true state of facts in regard
to these bills. Everything that the Superin-
tendent got from the penitentiary for his own
use is charged to him on the books. Did not
know that Governor Peirpoint had issued
any orders forbiddng the purchase OF these
articles. The Superintendent had received
money for the hire Of convcts Do not re-
collect the exact amount. The amount would
appear on the books. Some amounts were
paid before the lst Of January. The contracts
say that the money should be paid to the Su--
perintendent or some person designated by
the Governor or by the Superintendent. Sc
yeral letters passed between the tTOFeTHOT ana
the Board of Directors in regard 10 the
amount due. The contracts for the hire Of
these convicts are made at the Secretary OF
the Commonwealth's office. Did not know if
the Superintendent had received any money
for bricks or other material.
The money for the sale of manufactured ar
ticles i. paid to Mr.. Champlin. This money is
kept in an iron safe. The Superintendent, be-
ing responsible for the same, took money from
the safe and accounted for it in the general
settlement every week. A private book was
kept by MIR. Champ!in of the amounts with
drawn by the Superintendent from the same.
MIR. Wardwell never asked the use Of witness 3
name for the purchase of articles.
Witness here explained how settlements are
made every week by the superintendent and
the General Agent.
Never had heard any conversation between
Mr.. Wardwell and MIR. Lee, the general agent,
relative TO the amounts retained by the former
for the hire of convicts. Mir. Hardwell had
offered to pay over to the General A gent the
balance due for the hire of convicts, deducting
therefrom amounts of bills for supplies. Mr..
Wardwell did not claim that he would retain
the moneyif Mr.. Lee accepted rs cash the bills
of purchase. Some of the amounts received
for hire of convicts We're in drafts and notes 1t
sixty and ninety days. The bills generally
received by the General Agent in settlement
were small. Had presided IL one Of the police
courts while an officer of the institution. Did
not know of any manufactured articles sent
away from lne penn ny TIE
tendent and not charged on the books. Had
known Mr.. Wardwell TO make presents Of
shoes 10 persons, but the same was invariably
charged TO him. Have known articles 10 be
sold by the Superintendent on credit Witness
knew of convicts being sent out OF the peni-
tentiary; one goes in citizens clothes 10 mar
ket and drives the Superint ntendents buggy.
The prisoners, when released, are allowed so
much mile to the place where they were
sentenced.
MIR. Butler, recalled, testified Mr.. Strother
was left in charge of the institution on one
occasion when not an officer, and did exercise
his authority as such. While witness knew
this was unusual, he did rot say anything
about it. This fact was known TO the Board,
but do not reCollect if the matter was investi-
gated by the Board Had seen conYIc;s out OF
the pententiary in citizens clothes. The Sn-
perintendent had been using the prisoners 10
mind the COWS, aud employed some IL ;hc
stables. The former Superintendent DIR.
Pendleton) did make use OF the conyicts IL the
same manner.
T. u. Champlin, recalled, testified Was
assistant keeper At the peniten1iaTy. witness
received money for the sale OF articles-piaced
it in the safe Had known the Superintend-
ent to Withdraw money in small sums from
the safe. Kept private memoTandum-book o!
receipts for hire Of convicts. Witness charged
ihe Superintendent with all amounts re-
ceived for goods sold, and the Superintendent
would account for the same on the settlement
every week with the General Agent i'll cash or
its equivalent. There was nothing secret in
these transactions. The Superintendent would
go 10 the safe any time he wanted money, and
did so before everybody. AT the end OF the
week when n settlement was made with the
General Agent, the Superintendent would
either refund the sums so withdrawn or pro-
duce bills for supplies furnished the peniten-
tiary. There is -, 500 now due for the hire OF
conyicts not paid over. The Superintendent
offered 10 pay this amount over about three
weeks ago. The Superintendent has never
asked witness the use Of his name for the pur-
chase of any article.
The Superintendent last settled his account
on the 18th OF april Has known the SUPER
intcndent 10 fail settling his account but once
or twice.
The Agent refused 10 receive the bills for
coal, hauling, &c, in settlement. These blils
have already been alluded to-durlng the IN
vestigation last week.
The Superintendent has supplied himself
and family with boots and shoes from the
penitentlary. The same were charged TO him
The repairs done 10 the Superintendent 6
wagons and cart. in the shops CT the institu
tion We're always charged 10 him. All the
TO Mr. WaTdwell. The Superintendent offered
chases, approved by the directors, together
amounts of the said bills and the amounts re-
refused 10 make settlement in the manner
proposed.
After the examination OF other witnesses
the court adjourned.
or