New-York tribune., 1876-01-25
PRICE FOUR CENTS.
THE STATE PRISONS.
OLD FORMS OF FRAUD.

RECENTLY APPLYING FOR oFFI~E.
IFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF TRIBUssI
ALBANY, Jan. 24.-The State Prisons have bcen
investigated before now. More than twenty years
ago, in 1854 the corruption and neficency pervad-
ing all departments Of the Sing Sing Prison, and in
lesser degree of Auburn, SO gross and palpa-
BILE that an investigation ordered. Three COM
missioners were appointed, John Bradley, Chairman.
Lew. Benedict, ir., and Abram Vernanl who trans
mtted their report, a bulky volume of q thousand
printed pages to the Legislature of the following year.
Dewitt &. Littejohn being Speaker. The principal
field Of their inquiries was Sing Sing where tho
Warden had built up adopted complicated sys-
tenn of fraud, and involved the affairs Of the prison
in such disorder that the investigation was had
primarily with a view to its financial condition In
Auburn Prison there seemed much less to blame,
while Of Clinton the Commissioners were not only
hopeful, but actually laudatory. Sing Sing, during
the period investigated, 1850 TO 1881, could make
much more favorable exhibit apparently than now.
The deficit of $4,000 in 1850 was followed by q
surplus in 1851 Of So, ,000 and in 1852 of $4,000.
These were two of the only three years the last
third OF century in which Sing Sing Prison has not
been charge upon the State. The loss on Sing
sing in the last ten years is 81 ,3S3,771 50.
The details Of these frauds and the men who COM
mitted them have long ceased to be of interest but
brief statement Of some Of their principal methods
of pecuiation may be Of some value now that an
other investigation is impending. There is nothing
new III fraud under the sun. he same methods Of
stealing that recently existed the canals existed
generation ago. and the thieves doubtless expect
to see them in operation again at future day.
First investigation, then an interval of decency
then a relapse-ths is the order of most reforms.
Investigations are for day. but thieves are for all
time. SO that it not at all unlikely that the Com
mlssioners committeeman who undertake this
new investigation Will make much the same disoov-
erics the old.
The Committee Of 1854 carefully compared the
records Of alleged purchases for the of Sing Sing
Prison and the ration book Thus ascertainng
what paid for and what was actually consumed.
This examination covered period of four years and
developed some interesting facts. The following
excesses were shown: 81 815 pounds of beef esti-
mated value, $2i lG7; 49s, ,997 pounds of meal
and -four, estimated value. SIS, 1872; 2s.4sS pounds
of fish. estimated value, 81 ,424 1924 bushels Of
potatoes, S2,425; number of ratons of beef and
pork unaccounted for, 2ls, ,557; number Of rations
of -four and meal unaccounted for, 501 1881. The
excess of the purchases alleged to have been made
by the prison in excess of the quantities evidently
used, and of articles which the prison had appar-
emily no authority to buy, estimated by tho
Committee at S79 100. This was for the period Of
four years at this prison alone.
he discovery was made of all elaborate system Of
fraudulent vouchers. The Committee found to their
surprise purchases of the same quantity of flour
and other articles from two different firms on tho
day. the real purchases being made of a snaB
firm. On investigation it found that . man
having dealings with the prison had induced the
two brothers composing the firm, each without the
knowledge of the other. at various times, to mako
tufh tIo "a III NTH
out having sold the goods OF received the money! or
any portion Of either. One of these bills was for
S12Si another for 1897; another for $6s7; Others
for 1913, 1879, S269, &c, the total amount Of tho
seven false vouchers being $2,577 &c. This sum
the Committee ordered charged back to the agent
on the books of the Controller. They do not seem,
however, To have been wholly fictitious. 1t WAS
device for partial fraud.
Frauds in ;he purchase of supplies were detected
by discrepancies between the record Of purchases
and the freight account. In 1851. at Sing Sing, 528
more barrels of -four charged for than tho
fire. ght accounts showed to have been received In
the following year there q similar discrepancy
of $50 barrels. Suspicion Of fraud in the freight
account itself also excited, by the fact that the
following year there discrepancy found of just
tie opposite knd-freight being charged upon moro
barrels Of -four than were alleged to have been pur-
were generally allowed on goods at time when,
cordlng to the books, they had not yet been pur.
chased.
Goods were purchased in New-YoIk at market
rates brought to Sing Sing, the voucher of the real
purchase suppressed. and another substituted at
increased figure. A number Of these transactions
were traced III detail. and il was shown that tho
nefarious traffic had assumed large proportions.
There has been a SYSTEM of awards III the prisons
well the canals In one case, under two
contracts. the State received from the contractors
only S26,717 81 for labor, when there due from
them $}3,017 "a During the same period, the con-
tractors recovered from the State III damages and
costs 81 900, for alleged non-performance OF con-
tract The Committee say Of this case, that it
would seem as though struggle had existed among
sOe of the contractors and officers To who should
most deeply wrong the State" During the tmo
these contractors recovering these large ards
tor damages. they constantly refusing to re-
ceiye the inll number Of the conycts stipulated by
their contracts aad large number of those they did
employ they paid but quarter OF half of the con-
tract price" This claim was for damages by fire.
and the day had been fixed for trial, when two Of
the Board of Inspectors Messrs. Clark and Angel
against the protest of the Inspector in charge, who
had exclusive legal jurisdiction and OF the States
counsel ordered the reference Of the case-and the
referees allowed the claim. The Committee failed
to discover subsequently, any sufficient proof Of the
liability of the State. The agent attempted an ap-
peal but the same Inspectors interfered and COM
peeled u submission to the Judgment.
Another method of robblng the State, which Is
altogether too EASY AID probable TO be overlooked
By any in,esti eating body was that of undercharg-
inp the amount If labor performed by convicts. A
mechanic. who was in charge of the carpenters,