Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-10-13
THE cHARaEs OF "A SIOUX FALLS
NEWSPAPER.

The Sioux Falls Paragraph renews its
attack upon Gov-P Pennington in its issue of
the Sd inst. 1t makes in somewhat vague,
but evidently we'll studied terms, the charge
that the governor has been specializing in
prison warrants and that he has been in the
habit of yearly swindling the people out Of
from 1000 to $4,000 per year by keeping
the territorial prisoners at Fl. Madison at
fifty cents perday, when he could have Sc
cured their maintenance at
less rates at any other prison.
This the Paragraph indirectly alleges was
done because the governor was in collision
with the warden of the prison, and wss
buying territorial warrants from him at q
low figure, selling them at their value and
dividing profits with the warden. . This is q
serious charge, and one which we cannot
let pass without throwing upon all the light
obtainable. The Paragraph makes no
specific charges, but deals with the subject
in . generalaway, contenting itself with
innuendo when we would prefer something
tangible to work upon. As the task Of
investigating this matter is given us without
anything to guide our efforts beyond the
mere assertion that the governor has been
guilty Of irregularities, our first step in the
premises was an interview with Gov. PEN
nington and an examination of the records
Of his Office
The governor says that there has been
some speculation goiug with the prison war
rants Of the territory aud that his attention
was first directed to the matter last spring
when himself, the territorial treasurer and
auditor were fixing the nate Of taxation for
the ensuing year. He. stated to the treasurer
that the amount of money required for the
support of prisoners was too much-that it
was one-third the whole tax. Treasurer
Sherman remarked that It probably would
be less but for the fact that the warden sold
his warrants for about sixty-fve cents. Gov.
Pennington asked him whe purchased them
at that low rate, wher they were worth
eighty.fve. or ninety cents. The treasurer
replied that he supposed several persons
did. This conversation opened . subjec,
which has since been persistently followed
up by the governor.
On the 18th Of June he wrote to Seth II
Craig, warden of the Fl. Madison peniten.
tiary, telling him b Dakota warrants
were worth from 85.to 80 cents on the dol
lar, and asking him if he had sold any fol
a less sum, and, ii so, if he had been induced
TODD 1t by any citizen Or Official Of Dakot.
territory. Receiving.n no answer to this let
ter, Gov: Pennington, on the Sd Of July
1877. wrote another letter to Mr.. Craig, thu
closing paragraph Of which related to thi,
subject, and ran as follows:
- II Respectfully call your atteutlon.to tn,
fact that you made, No spswer to that par
of my letter ihsfeference 10 the sale of val
rants. At no time within q year have the,
bcep. worth less. thang65 ana 80 tents, an,
IL Won Nereinduced 70 self ct accents, q
reportedto me, l should like to know If 70,
were thus misled by any citizen or oficis
of this territory.
4 sssaet" 1N,ry Respectfully,
John L. P~ENNINaToN,
Governor"
After this letter had reached its destina
|
ton Governor Pennington received fror
Warden Craig communication upon prise
business. but the letter made no reference t
the enquiries contained in the above extrat
from the governors letter. He therefor
wrote and sent the following:
YANKToN DAKOTA July %, 1877.
5. ~. Craig, Esq, Warden, dc, lou
PRISON. n. lddiaosy Ltsa
i received your favor of the 29th ultim
and since that time . letter from the govel
nor and Dr.. Morris, stating that after refe
termined to make no reduction in the pre-
en-. rates Of feeding and clothing u pris
ners.
OF course this il final and We must sui
: init To- il until We can do better.
I ~ Ehavssagain to request that, If not incol
sistent with yonr interest or sense Of pr