The New York herald., 1877-01-17

connected with the Sing Sing prison for several .cars
contractor, supcrir sendent Of the marble and limo
works and as warden. One Sands had contract,
made with tho inspectors. by the provisions OF which
he had erected kilus tor the manufacture OF lime.
Walker being copartncr with him. In the year lsCs
Walker purchased interest OF hts coparsuer Sands
In these kns and fixtures, paying him $ll, ,500-1
the valuation being $23, 900. As the lease was
about TO EXPIRE he mado application TO tho Legislature
for tho passage OF a law authorizing renewal Of his
lease for i've years Then commenced series OF
mancuyres. ~ which more persons than Walker were
The marble and lime business was represented as
very profitable, Tor which reason Walker wanted his
klns and nxtures In order that the State might engage
In business which represented 10 be so vastly
profitable Walker liked his pricc at si25 ooo allsg-
ing that far Inventory and appraisal would show this
10 be its iar vaiuc Tho purchase was made by 'no
State at $l2a,000
Among the papers which tho commission found at
the prison was IN inventory OF the property. The
appraisal was caormous, and yet n amounted 10 but
That the State was cgrcgiousy swlndcd by Of
the dishonesty or m5cciity OF the officials IN charge
OF lhis prison thcrc cannot DO reasonable doubt
And then, to the climax the inspectors appointed
Walker superintendent; and whon thereafter they
made him agent and warden OF the prison he was con-
son as clerk and iorcmanL and his salary superin-
tcndcn In addition 10 this salary rs agent ana warden,
was charged ana paid at 81, 900 icr ton months
In addition this find that he charged the state
ST. 500 time for 'trnveIling expenses without
any detailed statement as TO when, where, how or for
what purpose this travelling was done. II Is very Ger.
tain that IN going from Sing Sing 10 Albany
to procure the passage Of the law giving him Sl250O
for his interest IN the marble and lime works Tor TIC
specifies vc:y graphically the Dodus opcrdndt by which
he succeeded.
rhat other of,cials beside Walker had share In this
transaction more than probable, for although he
swcats that he owed Mcssrs. Cobb Larkin Tor nd.
vances nearly SO, 600 ind among tho papers re-
ceipt signed by gentlemen, stating that they had
received from Walker the draft OF Barnum. Hammond
and Schcu phen Inspcc,ors) on The Treasurer Tor
$125, ,0o0 which draft Mcssrs. Cobb larkin held as
collateral security for SIS. 900 and interest
MANAGEMENT At AUBURN
The commission found tho Auburn prison In fair
condition undcr the present administration In 'pur.
suing their Investigations To the management IN
former years they found evidence OF the same design
OH no part OF tho officials to manage prison affairs
with on eyc to personal pecunary benefit.
FALuRKs IN PRISON GOVERNMENT.
Should We particularizc whcrcin the State has sur
cred pccuniary loss, the following spccicatons may
FSra-ln the grent lack OF discipline among the
convcts which puts It in their power to do much or
little OF Tho labor required oi thcm within given time
.Second-Ths state OF things prevented the agent or
warden or other au, officials making contracts
for lnbOr terms favorable 10 tho State as
Ii nc cOnvicis wcro under proper discipline
Third-Contractors of doubtful pecnniary RESPONSE
biy thus enabled contract for convict labor,
because lack of discipline lessenod competition Tor
such labor.
promptly for convict labor, nor was ample security IN
many cases required OF them
Fynh-Proper,y belonging TO the State has been sold
to irrcs pOnsbe persons ON credit, without security
Sirfh- Purchases for tho prisons have been made at
large and even oxorbtant prccs.
Screnkh-Extravngant prices have bcen pain ior WORK
donc at tho prisons and materials furnished; In and
about the man uncturc OF lime, iron, &C.
EighM-Too many employees have been receiving
pay for services which wore unnecessary and could
have been dispensed with.
NinA-A general want Of economy In almost cvery-
thing connected with the prison.
Tenth Prison officials havo received aud appro-
priaed State property TO their own usc without max
ing compensation.
Eier,nM-Ex.ra services. travelling expenses un-
authorized by law and unnecessary, swell the lndcbt-
cdncss.
The report closes with several general rccommcnda-
tions, amt says
..UnGcr tho system laws must bc enacted TO
regulate tho prisons aud respectfully recommended
that code, mpie and definite its PROVISIONS ensy
understood and Of practical application should lie
passed early day. and that all existing laws
spread over our statute books as TO these prisons
should be repealed" Respectfully submitted.
SINCLAIR TOUSEY,
ARCHIBALD G. NIVEN,
LOUIS n. PiLLSBURY,
Surviving commissioners