The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-01-20
LEaIsLATKvE PROCHEDIHGa.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10. 1871.
j.. SENATE.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1871.
SENATE.
The Senate met at 12M.
The Com mittee ON Education, who
were Instructed to inquire into aud re-
port upon the disposition Of the appro-
prietion for school purposes for 1883 and
1869, reported progress and asked for
further time; which was granted.
Mr.. Hayes introduced bill to provide
for the election by the people of County
Treasurers and County Auditors; which
was read tho first time and ordered for
consideration tomorrow. Also, bill,
by Mr.. Whittemore, to repeal m Act to
provide for the appointment of a Land
Commissioner. Also, joint resolution,
by the same gentleman, authorizing the
levy special tax.
The report of the special committee to
investigate the conduct and affairs of
the Superintendent and Directors of the
Penitentiary-n synopsis of which we
gave npon its Erst introduction day or
two ago-was taken up for considera-
ton. The report is based solely upon
the affirmations of the Superintendent,
and attempts to exonerate that officer
from all criminality. Upon motion that
tho report be adopted, Leslie rose, and
said that the report was about in keep
ing with such as had been hitherto
palmed off upon the General Assembly
and the public, and that as it was such q
beautiful specimen of white washed
report, he hoped it would be adopted.
Not one witness had been examined, but
Mr.. Stolbrand's simple statements taken
as sufficient in al investigation insti-
tated against himself. For his part, lie
thought the Investigation hud as we'll
aot been made. Here was charming
little fraud, by which the State was
mulcted to the tune Of from sc, 900 to
$4,000, and all within q stones throw of
the Penitentiary. Mr.. Pope goes to the
Governor and tells him that there is a
strip of land lying down near the Peni-
tentiary belonging to the State. which
he desired to lease and put in condi-
ton for cultivation. The Governor,
without the shadow of authority, agrees,
and does lease this land for the sum of
SlOO per year. Scarce was the ink dry
upon the paper, ere the sound of the
axes Of SLolbrand's thieves could be
heard telling tho timber on this land,
and he enters into IN agreement for the
purchase of the wood. Could any sane
man doubt what should have been Stol-
brands course us IN honest official? The
wood was in stones throw of the Peni-
tcntiary; ho knew lie needed wood; he
had the thieves to cut it and tho land
belonged to tho State. But instead Of
proceeding iii the way his duty pluinly
pointed, lie slips in Popo, and through
the instrumentality Of the Governor.
concocts plan by which he and Pope
succeeded in swindling the State out of
thousands of dollars. 1t would not do
to attempt to excuse Mr.. Stolbrand, by
saying that he was ignorant of the fact
that the land belonged to the State. He
did know it; and he further knew, rs did
the Governor himself, for he was surely
not fool, that the lease to Mr. Pope
was not worth the paper on which it was
written; and if he had possessed one
particle of regard for the interest of the
State, he would not have deigned to
notice it. This Mr. Pope was particu-
lar friend Of Mr.. Stolbrand, nnd it was
as plain to him as the nose on n mans
fnce, that this was partnership job to
cheat the State. In proof of the fact
that Mr. Pope was very special friend
were intimately acquainted, he would in
form the Senate that within few days
past. the Superintendent had rescinled
contract with q third party, whereby
beef was furnished the Penitentinry at
eight cents q pound, and entered into all
agreement with Mr.. Pope at ten cents n
pound. Mr.. Leslie closed, by inQuiring
if the committee was not Joint one,
and that they had reported without con-
sultation with the committee from the
House, which, being shown to be true,
the report was ruled out and the original
resolution recommitted.
A committee from the House present
ell itself to inquire into certain irreguIn-
rites on the part of the Senate towards
the House. The matter of complaint
was that after the appointment of
joint committee, by concurrent reso-
luton to Investigate the affairs Of The
Penitentinry, the committee on the part
of the Senate, without notice given to,
and without the knowledge of the com
mittee on the part of the House. had
proceeded to m Investigation and made
out a report. The Chair informed the
committee that the Senate had just ruled
the report proifered as null and void,