The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-07
SING SING.
|. THE STATE PRISON COMMISSION OF INvEsTIGA-
rInS=-EnwAR am g srnKEa

THE STATE PRISON COMMISSION OF INvEsTIGA-
TIoN--EDwARD s. STOKES
The commission appointed by tho Legislature to in
vcstgatc Sing Sing Prison assembled yesterday after
noon at that institution to commence its labors Tho
members were Mcssrs Sinclair Touscy, chairman
Louis D. Psbury, Supcrnter dent of the Albany Peni-
Tertiary; George Il. Baboock Of Buffalo, and General
A. c. Nevin. Of sullivan count beside these gentc-
d. q. Starr, Sergeao alarms, OF Monticello,
and Mr.. o. Lcyns stenographc.. Tho Prison inspect
ors Clark, Crowley and Wagner also requested
BIO present at the tgatiou. but only the first and
last named gentlemen at the State Prison ycstcr
day, awaiting tho val Of the commission. The
business transacted VIII n the members did arrive
Only preliminary, and consisted OF survey Of
the Institution and cursory examination OF its depart
ments preparatory the thorough arrangement the
programme be pursued in tho OF the INQUIRY.
For the last four weeks according TO the statement OF
Mr. Touscy, there has been an expert at the prison
ovcrhaulng the books vouchers and papers relating 10
the financial transactions in the prison since October
l. 1863 for tho purpose OF discovering and tracing
the history OF every from that this
that raud il any exist may BIO uncarhcd and fastened
upon its perpetrator. The inquiry Will probably occupy
three months, and eight or ten hours OF each
day viii be devoted 10 its conduct by the commissions
ers, who will remain In Sing Sing. where they have
engaged board with Mrs Gilbert the hill above tho
PRISON, Tor the season. Il Is not yet definitely
disciplinary, will be adopted first; therefore. all
probability, the former Will hrst engage the
conduct their business quietly possible and
lrain from publishing any part OF tho testimony
ceved feeling duty bound TO comply with tie act
under which they operate, in making their lrs report
OF tho rcnit OF their labors to tho Governor next Oc-
tobcr. They have been invested with remarkable
powers They can subpoena and compel witnesses
testify when necessary order that every may
be utilized 10 learn why the state Prison has been
behind financially. II is thought that the FIRST test-
mony will be heard about Thursday. The laxity
OF discipline the prison such warrant cxpcca-
ton OF startling revelations, not only IN The financial
affairs. but also the routine conduct OF the former
prison authorities. THIS morning the irst regular
session OF he commission tcgins, and hereafter bust
ness viii be resumed daily until the work is thor
oughy finished.
EDWARD =. STONES
Yesterday morning Edward = Stokes In very
condition. hoping that The Court o, Appeals
which had his undcr consideration. would reverse
the order OF the Cour, which had rcmandcd HIM TO
prison TO fuini his lie IN and out the tclc
graph office frequently during the forenoon asking tor
dispatches from his friends in Albany touching his
AZ length one came which read simply thus
People W.. Stokes, order Of the Court reanr mcd y
II consigned stokes the prison Tor the der OF
his term, which expires IN october. The prisoner
withdrew. sadly dispiritcd and visible to WIS.,
,ors during the remainder OF the day.