The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-02-22
EXONERATED.
The Investigation Into the Affairs or the
Northern Prison Ends in Com
piete Triumph for War
den Murdoch.
Prove More Complimentary Than Det-
rimentaI. and No Suspicion Rest~
Against the Manage
ment OF the In
Stitution.
5eclal to the sentinel:

5eclsl to the sentinel:
MICHIGAN CRY, Ind. Feb. lG-The inyesti-
.tion of the management Of the Northern
rlson was opened to-day by Geo. Porter,
and the Board of Directors. The Steward
7book-leeper, Deputy Warden and some con
/ victs were examined and at every stage
Supported the present mana cement It is
abundanlly clear that no period ia the
aistory of The state has the Prison been g
> economically administered as at the present
time Comparisons of the quantities Of
corn meal, ilour, meat, potatoes aud other
articles purchased by the present and past
administrations, here made with favorable
results to Murdoch. The charges
Z of waste and extravaganza were clearly
disproyed The contract made between
Murdock and TIE Directors has been hon
y orably maintained. Governor Porter has
been exhaustive in his examination. The
!. case viii occupy the whole OF Tomorrow.
The case OF the State VS.. II. H. Francis
} editor Of the Michigan City Dispatch. has
been on trial three days as LapOrte, and
will go to the Jury tomorrow The Court
House has been crowded to excess. The
rulings Of Judge Horace Corbin, OF Ply
mouth, have been the subject Of much un-
favorable comment
MICHIGAN CuY, Feb. 17.--Thc inyes,i-
cation BY Governor Porter and the Directors
of the Northern Prison into the affairs Of
that institution, with special reference to
the earnings and profits of Warden 0Iurdock
by what is termed the garbage contract
came to an abrupt termination this alter
noon, after q most thorough search and re-
view of the charges, Governor Porter con
ducting the examination with energy and
ability, and evincing determination to
probe the case to the bottom, and ferreg out
if possible any act IN the Warden's admin
istration unauthorized by law, cr not in ac-
cordance with the wishes and approval Of
the Directors. The investigation began on
Thursday, it having been charged that the
Warden has rea ed an enormous profit out
: of the sale of prison otIal, the disposition of
which, authorized by a contract with the
state, MurdOck agreeing to pay 500 per an
mum for the garbage. The fact was elected
that the Warden realized $. $50 by the con
tract with the officials, and, so far as the Gov.
ernor or Directors were concerned, was going
behind the returns, the wrong-doing ii any,
having been on their part in making con-
tract that yielded so handsomely. This was
the off year, however, for sim lsr contracts
have been made by other Prison officials,
but the profits were not so large. The State
then undertook to operate the garbage bust
ness in conjunction with the Warden, shar-
ing the profits and losses fully, but il proved
improbable, and the Directors were glad 10
accept contract with the present efficient
Warden.
The Investigation ended in a complete tn
Umph for Murdoch, Judge Coffroth, his
friend and adviser, declining to make fnr-
ther inquiry at the close of Governor Por-
ter's examination of witnesses. The facts
bronght OF. by the inquiry were more COM
pIinentary than detrimental 10 the man
asement of the Prison, which has not only
provided better food for the prisoners, but
show the expenses for three meals per day
to be twelve and one-eleyenth cents per con-
vict, an average OF one-half the cost in the
!. Prisons Of Kansas Connecticut and other
= States.
At the conclusion of the investigation
Governor Porter stated that there was no
suspicion against Mr. Murdoch of any
wrong-doing; that his administration had
been honest and efficient. The Directors,
after consultation. determined to rescind
the contract and operate the boarding
house in the interest of the State. This has
heretofore been managed by Deputy War
den Baker.
Special Correspondence Indianapolis Sentinel:
MIcHIGAN CRY, Feb. 1S.-The inyestga
ton into the affairs of the Prison North con.
cluded to-day. Governor Porter conducted
the examination of Witnesses and was de-