Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-02-27
mittee, Mr. Talbot made the following re.

| mittee, ar. talbot, made the following re-
port:
The committee having proceeded thus far
IN the investigation of affairs Of the State
prison, agree that so far as any irregularities
exist in the treatment of prisoners or their
mode Of punishment, or in tho management
at the time of the fire, they are not OF such a
nature as TO implicate the warden or to cast
| any suspicion upon him to want OF eiiicen-
| cy, neglect of official duty or unkind or harsh
| treatment, but that the Inspectors have for
| seYeral years failed to conform fully to the
| requirements of the law in regard to furnish
| irg to the officers of the prison rules and reg
ulations for their government.
| The committee therefore decided that Il 0
| further examination, 50 far as the Warden is
concerned in relation to the treatment of pris-
oners be had, and that the further examina-
ton of witnesses be had in relation to the A.
nancial concerns oftho prison.
| The committee then proceeded to examine
in regard to tie financial matters of the
Prison.
Henry C. Mardcn was the first witness.
| Had been employed in State prison. Com
mcncod in 1862; sold and received commits
sioa for same FOR three years. Ia Sept. IS,
went to prison on salary; continued that way
until G7, OF salary OF $500. Gave the war
| den notice that he should leave in April, 70,
| wanted him to stay; said he would stay for
| $500 Il year, house rent, carriage and har
nesses; he concluded to give it, and he (the
witness) stopped. Since that arrangement
| have occupied building belonging to the
State; rent was considered equal to 500 per
year; after the year received 5000 and the
| house rent. He took the carriages from the
| prison.; the warden has account of it on his
book, and when sales are made he has to
| make them Warden fixes the price. Sell
the carriages to the best advantage.
In swapping carriages has to fix the value
of TIE same. Sells sleighs, pungs, etc. War
den sells some carriages. Some have been
sent from prison and consigned to agents in
different parts of the State When sold on
commission had ten per cent Employed all
the time in selling carriages; when work was
slack, worked about the prison; have sold at
rate Of 40 year; common wagons will av-
erage Sl25; buggics, etc, $50. Thought
Sl4, 900 per year was taken for carriages.
Haven't sold but few harnesses value from
S2S TO $50 each. Average sale of sleighs so
per year; price from $50 to $50; some
sleighs are sold for 500. Sold mostly in
Penobscot and towns west of the Penobscot.
la selling old carriages received as barter,
generally get their full value.
Hon. William Wilson of Halloweil, one of
the Inspectors of the prison, testified. Had
been in that office since 'G2. Had given yer.
bal rules and regulations in regard TO the gov
eminent of prison; had established compen-
sation OF officers, according to the provisions
of law, passed in 1866; salaries Of subordn-
ate officers had been increased by the Inspect
ors; had not been given in writing to the Gov
ernor and Council; had supervised the books
and accounts of the prison, quite frequently.
Gave detailed account of taking stock; the
inspectors 60 through each department, TAX
ing account Of every article and fixing the
value of the same. This is done annually.
All the articles are specified in list. These
are compared with the original bills of pur-
chases, in many eases. and comparisons made.
Had not himself been present much of the
time at the last taking account of stock; the
most had been taken by Mr.. Prince and DR..
Billings. During the time he had been H.
spector the warden or officers never had any
thing from the State except it was paid for.
All the perquisites the warden has had are the
house he lives in and pasturage enough for
COW. Every cents worth of supplies has been
paid by him. The fodder for COW was
furnished on condition of the warden proyd-
ing food for sick; swill fed TO hogs owned By
State. Warden's wife has no compensation.
\ horse used for the State is kept at the ex-
pense Of the State. Stated the reason why
salary CT warden had been raised; has new re-
sponsibillties, enlarged business, good deal
Of company, the friends of prisoners Gus
toners come TO buy carriage this at the
expense CT the warden.
Adjourned to evening.
EVENING SESSION.
Hon. Rufus Prince. one of the State PTis-
on Inspectors, testified in regard TO taking
the account Of stock in December last. and
tie manner in which the account of stock in
the building which had been burned was ia
ken. The warden had nothing to do with
the appraisal of stock. Wituess had been
trustee six years.
Adjourned 10 meet at . o'clock this after
noon.