Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-27
HONEST BUT COSTLY.
The Management of the Western Pen
itentiary Let Down Easily.
A LOOSENESS OF METHODS FOUND,
And an Unnecessary Expenditure Of Part
of the States Funds, but
NO ONE is GUILTY OF wIONGDOING.

burn, McAleer, Stehmau, Mylin, Watres,
Goblin, Belts and Wilson, the Senate Com
mittee which investigated the Western
Penitentiary, to-day made report in writ
ing, through Senator Goblin. After sum-
marizing the testimony the committee says
as to the charges made by Frank Curry
that they referred to practices in vogue
years ago and were inflicted on very desper-
ate criminals. The committee finds that the
keepers are frst-class men, and that both
were punished for being drunk, and since
then there has been no repetition of drunk
enness for over four wears; as to the seventh
charge, that system of favoritism prevails
whereby certain persons are granted COM
mutation of term and relieved from duty,
the committee says no evidence sustaining
it was produced other than general rumors
and allegations.
The committee sees nothing to complain
Of it in the charge that DR.. Maharneke was
paid until the end of the month in which he
was discharged. As to the allegations by
ladies holding certificates ss inspectors ap-
pointed by the Board of Charities; that since
the Mahsrneke investigation they were no
longer granted the rights and privileges in
the prison they enjoyed prior to it, the
committee saws:
''The committee are unable to understand
why anybody should be permitted to have
unlimited opportunities to visit and con-
verse with the inmates of a penitentiary
without the attendance of guard, and fail
to comprehend why any woman should de-
sire to. 1t is certainly not promotive of
discipline and cannot but be attended by
danger. While doubtless the visits of
female inspectors were designed with good
intentions, the result has not been apparent
in anything witnessed by your committee.
A MISTAKEN IMPRESSION.
sit is evident from the testimony of these
ladies that as inspectors they imagined they
were given charge of the spiritual condition
of prisoners, and either in conjunction with
or in opposition to the chaplain, their work
was the evangelizstion of the inmates. 1t
is not surprising, therefore, that their most
ardent followers are the most desperate and
longest-termed felons, who, with criminal
experience and Jealous hypocrisy, are able
to impose on these excellent and weilmean-
ing ladies in the hopes of inducing them to
intercede in their behalf for executive Glenn
ency. Such sentimentality cannot but be
imposed upon by the most undeserving."
The committee says that some of its MEM
bers are of the opinion that Maharneke oc-
CuplcO pOSlblOu ~ luG muSH
too long, and should have been discharged
for a more serious offense than saying
damn, which seems to have been the re-
suit of the investigation. Tnecommittee SAYS
there was no evidence that Mr.. George A.
Kelly had overcharged for anything furn-
ished the penitentiary. Following are the
conclusions of the committee:
"The result of the examination of the
prisoners, however, was to satisfy the sub
committee that there was nothing to demand
investigation further by this committee or
upon which to arraign the management of
It. There have been, are still, matters re-
quiring correction in the management of
this institution. There is too much commu-
nication with the outside world. Money,
the golden key which unlocks many prison
doors, is introduced and in possession of the
prisoners. The old contract system under
which most of the evils complained of orig
mated and were continued, has left many
behind which must be eradicated The sys-
tenn of checking and examining goods
purchased and delivered could be greatly
improved.
IN A PRETTY BAD SHAPE.
'HThe hospital of the institution is insuf-
fciently furnished with clothes, lint and
other material for wounded men, and is un-
cleanly. Discipline should be rigidly en-
forced in penal institution of this magni-
tude, and it is evident there is lack of it
here. If the Board of Public Charities is
to be regarded factor in prison manage
ment besides recommending appropriations,
the evidence of it should appear somewhere.
In the selection of inspectors some line of
duty should be assigned them which would
inquire into the health, comfort, cleanliness
and behavior of the convicts and the Sc
curity of their imprisonment. Their moral
and religious training can safely be left to
the care of the chaplain.
'Too much responsibility should not be
thrust upon the warden. The trustees
should share it, and not merely indorse his
action. The care of so large body of des-
perate criminals is most serious matter in
every aspect of the case, and mistaken kind
ness or unnecessary severity can better be
avoided by strict discipline and framed
rules Of government strictly adhered to. 1t
is very evident that the entire management
of this institution is assumed by or is i'm
posed upon the warden. All the purchases
appeared to be made by his order, at his
discretion, and regardless of proposals or
bidding for supplies, the contracts subse-
quently ratified by the inspectors, and pay
ment of the bills authorized There is ap-
parent looseness of methods which cannot
be regarded tavorably, and 1t is not sur
prising that under them suspicious of
mismanagement arise, as with their exist
ence there is much inducement to needless
and extravagant expenditure at least.
NOT QUITE SATISFACTORY.
'The statement of the accounts of the pen
itentiary with the various counties was not
satisfactory in detail to some of the commit
tee. Where the expenditure of about $780,
600 annually is required for maintenance
the best of bookkeepers are necessary, and
should at all times exhibit the exact condi-
tion OF the accounts between the penitentiary
and all parties having business relations
with it. More frequent inspection of the
cells should be made by the warden person
ally or his deputy. The presence in the
prison of razors, knives and money indicates
that some of the employees, at least, must be
in collusion with the prisoners, who are ena-
bled to find out when the inspections are to
be made, and take the prohibited property
to their friends to conceal until after the Or
deal is passed.
''This inspection should include the con-
dition of the food, bedding, hospital, hos
pital supplies and general condition of the
institution. There were in the Western
Penitentiary on December 81 last 6S3 pris-
oDers. These were all comfortably accom-
modated in the old or finished portions. At
great expense a new addition is almost COM
pleted, which is designed to hold 600 more
The reformatory at Huntingdon, on which
$3.50, 600 has been expended, is receiving in
mates, and, although incomplete, is thus
added to the institutions of the State.
so MUCH ROOM UNNECESSARY.
''The records show that "a per cent Of the
inmates of the Western Penitentiary are uu-
der 25 years of age, and therefore proper
euhiects for Hunf1npdon TaEa froY, H.