Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-03-07
THE PENTTENTlARY REPORT.
The Legislative Investigating Committee
makes Its Reports.


makes Its Reports.
TOPEKA Kan, Feb. 26.-The joint CON-
mittee appointed to investigate the affairs
of the penitentiary reported yesterday.
The report is quite lengthy, the main
points of which are as follows:
F c. Buckley and D. J. Keller, Of Leaven-
worth, and ]. A Lopez. of Atchison- being de
sirous OF controlling the entire output OF the
penitentiary coal mine with the smallest posi-
ole outlay, during the fall and early winter OF 1884
with other persons entered INTO a conspiracy
for the purpose Of accomplishing tnls oDJect.
1t is claimed that a contract was soon executed
in writing whereby the persons were 10 share
equally in the profits that were expected to &C
crue and that. among the stipulaIions OF this
contract the directors and other parties were
10 he taken care Of" The business proved to
he unavoidable. Lopez became di satisfied and
at the suggestion OF Leutwiler, aided by the
able counsel OF Philip Krohn, Edward A. Church
was induced to take an interest IN the business.
Philip Krohn received 800 for his services in
accomplishing this deal the idepce touching
the payment thereof being conflicting only as
10 the purpose Cor which IL was paid No as
signment OF the Lopez contract was ever made
to Barnes the S1.000 was never repaid TO him,
and no demand was ever made for its repay
ment but, as a matter oftfsct, Barnes there
after received the ntire surplus output OF the
penltentlary mine unQer MS original COuLE1CL
for 400 bushels per month
While the committee finds shat there was no
crimi al collision between the directors OF the
penitentiary and d. N. Barnes by which they
were TO share in the profits Of the coal business
he certainly obtained extraordinary advantages
70 which he was not entitled under his con-
tract.
The committee says that while the repre-
hensible and unlawful intrigues lin coal con-
To- fha ovid n i unt
warrant the committee in finding that any
State officer, or any official connected with the
State penitentiary, knew OF, sympathiZed with,
prohted by or expected to profit from the dis
honest and indefensible purposes OF those who
had conspired to secure control of the peniten-
tiary coal, and that while Director Hiatt almost
daily met at least two Of the conspirators Chis
home being in Leavenworth), it would be IN
Just TO conclude from the testimony presented
that he ever consented to become a party to
their plans and purposes.
The committee finds from the evidence that
OF the damaging stories circulated affecting the
integrity of Director Richter none were shown
70 have any substantial foundation in fact. and
the committee feels bound, as an act Of common
justice, to wholly exonerate him from the
charges referred to-"
The committee finds that various sums are
due the State from certain parties for labor
performed and recommends that suit be com
menced to enforce payment and that no more
debts OF like character should be created.
There is no testimony whatever to show that
Warden John II. Smith had any knowledge Of
the existence Of any conspiracy to obtain con
troll OF the coal output of the penitentiary mine,
or OF any dishonest or fraudulent purposes or
practices in relation thereto. The committee
also finds, not only from the testimony, but
from careful inspection of the departments OF
the penitentiary, and the manner in which its
affairs have been managed under his admins
tration that there has been neither neglect of
duty, lack OF ability, nor bad management on
his part
It is shown that F. c. Buckley now owes the
State something over 1900 as a balance due on
his coal contract and that he refuses TO pay the
same. 1t is also shown that ]. A. Lopez owes
the State over $3.50 TN similar account
The committee finds that in letting the con-
tracts for supplying the penitentiary with -four,
beef lumber and other supplies the Warden
and directors only exercised proper and neces-
sary precautions and there is nothing TO show
that there has been dishonesty, unfairness or
favoritism on the part OF the penitentiary Of
ficials in come, ton with the same.
Charges OF fraud. dishonesty and mismanage
ment have been made against the directors OF
the penitentiary in reference TO the manner IN
which the appropriation of SC, 900 by the Legs
lature for the purchaseIof an electric light was
expended The committee finds that these
charges are unfounded-
The present method of suppl, ing the State
institutions with coal is faulty in the extreme.
There are absolutely no checks or safeguards
thrown around it whatever
The committee feel justified in recommend
ing that no resident citizen of Leavenworth
County should hereafter be appointed TO the
Office OF warden or director of the penltentiary.
The committee then make certain recommen-
dations that the Governor should have power
to order special investigations during the recess
of the Legislature, as he is held responsible for
the institutions of the State.