Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-06-06

We find the books call for the amount
of notes due the prison, sl9,1lj 20
We can only find notes in the Office OF
the prison amounting to 2225s -
Which leaves unaccounted for Sis56 IL
Except small part of il which is per-
haps explained BY memorandum on
the notebook indicating that some
of the missing notes are in the hands
ofagents.
We find the amount owing by the
prison-on accounts, so2,772 90
ON note 300 90
ON account Of interest on accounts
which is a liability of the prison, a,439 &c
On accounts per schedule, gs4 "
Schedules Of accounts, notes, memorandum. etc.
submitted herewith for more definite information
in regard to figures and results,
In estimating the value Of the accounts and notes
due the prison we are gndedby general knowledge
of the value Of old accounts (and in the present
large part Of the accounts and notes are outlawed
overdue or worthless) and by particular knowledge
of many of the accounts and notes under notice
We believe a liberal estimate of the value of the
accounts and notes now on the books shown
by schedule herewith to which reference may be had
to be 80 per cent. and might with disregard of
fairness. question whether their value is more than
% per cent.
Your commission has appraised as personal prop
erty:
One steam fire engine, 5000
One hand fire engine, 800
One hose carriage and hose, $50
Seds for the steamer, -
One set hay scales, 100
Total, $3.50
tors or Warden heretofore
Having given brief review of the condition of the
stock and books, following will be found IA state
ment of the assets and liabilities of the prison made
up TO April 10Th, 1879
ASSETS
Stock on hand e5l3sG Is
Accounts and notes sGO,l49.s
Less SO per cent 1901 80 3o,osl 80
SSH 57 81
Liobilti,s.
Owing on accounts, S67, 10
Owing on nete, 800 90 e., iQ7 10
Net assets. 1860 30
All of which is respectfully submitted,
COMMENTS BY Mr.. RICE
To the Editor of the Adre,tiser:
hardly know how to reply to your request.
had not designed to notice either the report
or any remarks that might be made upon it
by the papers. | have never yet sought pub
lie favor in any way, nor public office as to
that, for was called to the responsible posi-
ton held so long without any seeking on my
part not even knowing there was to be a
change until saw my appointment in the pa
pers. | accepted the trust with great rcuc-
lance and continued in the service much long
4
to be relieved of the responsibility but while
| was in charge of the prison | can truly say
that served the State with my best ability.
In conducting the affairs of the prison
had no regard whatever for the particular in
terests of any political party and in the ap-
pointment of subordinate officers and employ
ment of agents, | asked no questions as to
the political opinions of those | took into
the service of the State, or of whom made
purchases of goods to be consumed at the
prison; so that Warden Tolman finds there
several of the most important and highest
salared officers who are democrats and were
when appointed them. The same is true of
my local agents, they being just about equal
ly divided as to politics. l will say, further.
that while always voting the republican ticket
| have taken no part whatever in caucuses
nor conventions. All have had to do with
politics was simply to cast my vote, which
believe it is the privilege and duty Of every
citizen to do as his conscience dictates. BY
pursuing that course had .hoped to take the
prison ''out of politics." and had Mr.. Tolman
taken the same course, it would have been
kept out of politics, and he would have
been able to serve the State much more eff
ciently than is in his power as a partisan.
The law makes it IA duty of the inspectors
OF the prison to make valuation of the
property annually on the first day of Decem-
Der, and this was done last December by a
board universally considered able and honest
one of whom, the Hon. Edward Cushing, was
and is a leading democrat. | had nothing
whatever to do with the valuation any more
than had with that made by the commits
soners when was not there at all. | didn't
even show them the property, that being
done by the deputy warden or overseers of
departments Upon their valuation l was
bound to make my balance sheet in making
my annual report. They valued the proper
ty then there at $50, 23j. 20, which have no
doubt was a fair valuation, and am equally
confident that there is at least that amount if
not more, of property there now, or was at
the time left the prison, April 10Th, as there
is generally more stock on hand in spring
than in December.
1t is the judgment of the inspectors, not
mine, which is impeached by this report, and
perhaps the best way to begin the examina-
ton of these figures will be to set them down
side by side with the figures made by the in
spectors Dec. !, 1873. But do not propose
to take the valuation of the notes and ac-
counts. The commissioners were not in