The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-01-27
THE STATE PENITESTIARy.

THE STATE PENITESTIARy.
We published last week synopsis OF
the report submitted to the Governor
by the Board of Directors Of the Peni-
Tertiary, but had not room at that time
for comment upon some Of the state
ments it contained. There are some
things in it that deserve popular atten.
ton. For instance, the rapidity with
which the funds appropriated last year
for current expenses Of the Prison had
been made to disappear during theseven
months administration Of the former
Board, leaving such pitiful balances for
the maintenance Of the institution dur
ing the remaining five months, is calcu-
lated to awaken some inquiry. Out OF
an appropriation of $4,000, which it
was thought would be sufficient for the
support of convicts for the year ending
September 80, 1871, there bad been ex.
pended before the 1st OF May $l4,-
ass 80, leaving only S3,544.7l for the
remaining five months. This was a
monthly expenditure of $1,000 during
the first seven months and left only
500 per month for the remaining FIVE.
The prisoners must have lived remark
ably well under the former administra-
ton to enable them to endure the scanty
fare of the latter portion Of the year.
The Board of Directors think there
was no necessity for any deficit in the
fund for the maintenance Of convicts !;
that $4,000, the amount of the appro-
priation, should have been sufficient for
that purpose; they therefore ask for no
more than that sum for the current
year.
A similar prodigality occurred in the
pay of guards. Out of an appropria-
Of $500 there was expended during the
first seven months of the year 5000. ID,
leaving only sl57O.S5 for the remaining
five months; or 5000 per month during
the first seven, leaving only S3l4 per
month for the balance Of the year. In
this case, as in that referred to above,
the Directors consider the sum appro,
priated sufficient for the service during
the year, and ask for the current year
only the same sum. provided the deficit
be made up.
tits perhaps unfair to criticise these
expenditures in the absence of any
statement or explanation by the Board
of Directors that retired from the man
agement of the prison on the lst Of last
May. We have nc report from them
whatever, touching the administration
OF affairs at the Peuitentiary during the
first seven months Of the past fiscal
year. They may have had good and
sufficient reason for expenditures so far
out of proper proportion to the sums
appropriated for the entire year, and
may be able to explain the matter 10 the
entire satisfaction of the public This
they ought to do.
Another suggestive item n the report
is the statement made as to the cost Of
stone used in the building, The records
of the institution show that the average
price paid for dimension stone prior to
the lst Of May, 1871, was S9.44 per
perch for dimension stone, and
for rubble stone S5.42, while no
difficulty seems to have been en-
countered by the present Board in OBJ
tanning all the stone needed for the fur,
Their construction Of the wall at SOL
and 81. % for dimension stone and u. 10
for rubble. There has manifestly been
an immense job for somebody in these
contracts, and some persons pockets
have been handsomely lined at the ex-
pense OF the taxpayers OF the State.
The location Of the Penitentiary is
also a matter that needs some investi-
CATION. 1t is situated in an out Of the
way place, on low ground. and almost
concealed from observation from any
quarter. 1t cannot be seen from the
river nor from the greater portion OF the
town of Moundsville, and only passing
glimpse of the top Of the southern tower
can be caught from the railroad. The
Foundation is in several places built on
auicksands, to fill which sufficiently. to
render the wall firm has cost an enor-
NOUS sum of money. All together,
there could scarcely have been found a
worse location within the limits OF the