Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-07-04
sflistellaueuns &eadiua.

Mlistellaueuns &eadiug.
THE PENITENTIARY CONTROVERSY.
We published, last week, the reply Of Mr.
Earle to a statement made by Colu mbis
correspondent as to the management of the
Penitentiary, published in the preceding 49,
sue. Since the appearance Of Mr.. Earle's re-
ply to that statement, the following, Oh the
same subject, has appeared in the Columbia
Phenir:
SUPER1NTENDENT's OFFICE,
SOUTH CAROLINA PEN1TENTIARY,
June 24th, 1878.
Mr.. Editor: have just read in the Jour.
nal of Commerce, of this date, commnnica,
ton from Mr.. Thompson Earle, Chairman OF
the Penitentiary Board of Directors, which
is calculated, where the parties and facts are
unknown, to create a most unjust opinion OF
my character and capacity. Contrary to my
inclination, 1 feel that it is due to myself and
to my friends, to declare the falsity of the
slanderous charges which Mr.. Earle has, for
his own personal ends, seen fit to make against
me. do not propose to traverse the whole
of his vindictive statements, but merely to de-
nounce them as false. The means are pro-
vided by law for my removal from Office, if
the tithe of Earle's allegations are true; and
the fact that he has failed to make g. case
against me is presumptive evidence that he is
only animated by desire to injure me in
public estimation by resorting to the newspa.
pers. When the present board were elected
in March last. I was informed by many citi'
zens, who will attest the statement that Earle
has made to them, to the effect that he was to
succeed to my Office as Superintendent, and
that he made promise to many as subordi-
mates. He spoke of me and my authority in
the most contemptuous manner to the guards
and employees, who were alone responsible to
me, and pursued course in every way calcu'
lated to injure the discipline and morals Of
the institution. He has from the first as
sumed the powers of the full board and of
the Superintendent, but as he has been obey
ed by no one, little real Gamage has been
Done As the presiding officer of the board,
his lawful authority has never been question.
ed by me, but his irregular assumption Of au-
thority, which can only be exercised by a
quorum of the Directors, and his personal
orders to my suhordinates, never have been
and never will be recognized by me or by my
successor, if he has proper estimate of his
own rights and responsibilities.
Mr.. Earle HIS desk in vacant store on
Main street, il this city, and at this point be
has gathered together such of the guards as
have chosen to feel unkindly towards me in
consequence of my having discharged them
for cause 1t is obvious that by condernning
my action he had hoped to secure from them
some data affecting my official integrity or
efficiency. To their credit be it said, howev-
er that, with one or two exceptions he could
obtain no satisfaction. One of the guards 80
was induced to sign a series Of
charges against the captain of the guard, sta
ting that he had allowed convicts to have the
freedom of the city at night, and that he had
sent provisions from the peniteptiary to the
citizens. The charges were prepared by
person to whom Earle had promised the po-
stion of captain of the guard. This person,
I was informed by the guard, had prevailed
on him to sign the paper, although he repeat
edlv told him and MIR. Earle that he knew
nothing to report against the captain. He
signing the paper, but said he did
not read or know its contents, aud that he
signed it only to rid himself of importantly.
These charges were submitted to the Board
by Mr.. Earle. The same person drew up the
charges against me, which found ready sign.
er The charges were presented to the Board,
and the only facts which were established
were such as were admitted by me ard open
ly known by the ways and means committee,
and members of the General Assembly, and
to any one who cared to observe the fact that
I enjoyed the official perquisite of supplying
my family with 6re.wood and vegetables and
nv personal rations. This indulgence was
granted to me by both of the preceding Boards
of Directors-one of which was appointed by
Gov. Hampton. A member of each Board
appeared before the Directors in support of
my statement, and if any other charge is
made against me am prepared to meet my
accusers face to face. I have had occasion
for all the selfcontrol I could command in
conducting official relations with the Chair
man of our present Board, who, while he pos
sessed no important powers which any Direc-
tor does not possess, was the official channel
of all communication to and from the Board
I sincerely regret this public exhibition of
personal differences, and will make no COM
ment on Mr.. Earle's estimate Of my capacity,
for do not think it would interest the public
any more than my opinion of his grammar.
THEODORE w. PARMELE.
COLUMBIA, S. c., June 25, 1878.
Editors Phenir: A portion of the card of