Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-21
Harrisburg HonorableS Deny They
Are Here to Investigate,
But THEY WILL AWAIT THE ISSUE.
The Board of Inspectors Adjourn Without
Giving Decision.
NAHARNEKES FATE DECIDED TONIGHT

Dellg mSue neIe, anu 4uCSAiy NNSAs NAi
solemn body of honorables descended upor
this devoted city the same evening thu
Prison Inspection Board met and wrestleC
with the Maharneke problem.
The gentlemen registered at the Andersen
are Messrs. Thompson, Billingsley, Bald
win. Fow and Marshall, representing sub
committee of the State Appropriation Com
mittee.
The gentlemen were found in their room:
last night and Mr.. Thompson, Chairman,
and for the nonce, spokesman of the party.
said they were here solely for the purpose
of examining and reporting on the affairs oi
the Mercy Hospital, Pittsburg and ALLIE
pheny Home for Friendless, Children's Aid
Society, Home for Colored Children, Pitts
burg Hospital for Children, Pittsburg Free
Dispensary, Home for Aged Colored
Women, Society for the Prevention OF
Cruelty to Children, and last and most i'm
portant, the Western Penitentiary.
sswhat is the exact purpose of your
Visit?" was asked.
ONLY A COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY.
"Well," said Mr.. Thompson, "all OF
these institutions have asked for appropria-
tions from the State, and we are merely
here to investigate, or rather inquire into
these institutions, and will make our report
and recommendations upon them to the
whole committee when we return to Harris
burg next week.
SIS this visit anything unusual?'
''No, not at ALL The only difference is
that this year the work is so widespread
that the committee has been divided up
into various subcommittee in order to
facilitate the work"
"You are probably aware, gentlemen -
ventured the questioner, that the affairs of
the Western Penitentiarv are just now of
peculiar interest to the people of this city?"
A significant glance all around indicated
that the pending investigation was Of in
terest not alone to the people of the two
cities, but perhaps to certain gentlemen
from Harrisburg. Otherwise not one of the
clever men present showed the least interest
in the suggestion.
1.-The Inspection Board is now deliber-
ating on the fate of Maharneke" continued
the remorseless interviewer, but no symptom
of surprise following this amazing state
ment, the idea began to slowly steal DER his
senses, that percaps he was giving them no
news, and in fact that the gentlemen knew
all about it, and could give him pointer
or two.
ABOUT THAT GROUND PURCHASE.
"Well,'' continued the Chairman, 'tas far
as the Western Penitentiary is concerned,
we are merely here to ascertain the purpose
of their appropriations asked, and to report
upon the advisability of voting them an addi-
tional SAC, 900 for the purpose of purchasing
2l lots living about the place, which they
wish to buy in order that the owners NAV
not erect buildings on them that would in
terfere with the pen; also, believe, for the
purpose Of utilizing the land"
HAS your visit any bearing on the recent
Investigation
"We have nothing whatever to do with
Maharneke. OF course we have read with
interest the reports Of the doctors trial, as
the charges were very serious.
'What about the resolution to investigate
the penitentiary?"
REALLY we prefer not to talk of the mat
ter, though we can say that the resolution
is in the committees hands. Nothing will
be done and no suggestions will be made
until the result of the investigation is
known. 1t is in their hands now, and we
will attend to our business visit pending the
result"
AS the gentlemen above named have the
politicians beautiful knack of not being
interviewed when they don't want to be. and
II oil
the subject was dropped, perforce, and the
session ended.
WHERE MAHARNEKE'S FATE LIES.
Meanwhile, the other end of the string
was fully as interesting, but even more Sc
cret. The full Board of Inspectors gath
cred in the handsome rooms of President
George A. Kelly, on Western avenue, and
armed with the printed testimony, immedi-
ately went into a star chamber session.
There were present Chairman Kelly and
Messrs. Reed, McCutcheon, Trimble and
Siagle; also Messrs. Scott and Sawyer
representing the State Board of Charities,
who were present by invitation of the chair
man, who said as they had seen the begin
ming they might as we'll be in at the finish.
This rule did not seem TO apply to the
ladies of the Visiting Board, Mrs. Mair,
Mrs. Swift and Mrs. Holden, who had
bravely stood the hardships of the midnight
sessions of the trial. Mr.. B. c. Christy,
counsel for the ladies, by request, was also
forgotten in the invitation.
Bv Mr.. Christy's orders, however, third
copv of the testimony had been made for the
visiting Board on carbon paper and he was
to go over the evidence with the ladies.
They were then to present a minority report
TO the Legislature, and Mr.. Christy said last
night There will be no uncertain ring
about our report"
1t is stated on the authority of a we'll
known lawyer, that no provisions or appro-
pristions are made for such inquiries as
these, and the interesting question arises as
TO who will foot the bill.
A BIG BILL TO FOOT.
The total amount of costs, 1t is said, will
run up into the couple or three thousands,
perhaps, and it is certain they cannot be
laid upon the defendant, while the prose-
cutor, McPhiliamy, is also unable to settle
them.
The bill of Stenographer E. ]. Donnelly
alone is $40, largely due. he said, to the
barbarous hours kept by the inquiry, with
a consequent loss OF sleep and other work,
besides the hiring of extra hands, as at one
time be had nine persons engaged in turn
ing out the evidence. Besides this legal
fees must be paid.
The board convened at about $50 or 9
O'Clock, and at 10 Chairman Kelly came
from the star chamber to say that decision
could not possibly be reached that night as
they had barely begun the re-conning of the
evidence, and as they were taking the
charges separately, great deal of time
would necessarily be taken up in sorting
out certain evidence.
A HITCH SOMEWHERE.
At II o'clock be said verdict that night
was hopeless, though he would not say
wherein the hitch Law