Morning journal and courier., 1893-05-11
THE mxsrEnIoUs swHETLAND

the Carpenter Matter and the Com. |
mittee Suddenly AdjOurRs - The
World Reporter and the Hartford
Times Men Become Belligerent II
New Haven Matters Come up for
Discussion - An Attorney General
Probably for Connecticut-The Fac
torizing Bill Killed in the Senate
other Matters.
HARTFORD, May 10.-[Specisl. 1.-The in
vestigation into the affairs of the state
prison was resumed in the supreme court
chamber this afternoon. The especial
point of interest in the proceedings was
the testimony of George A. sweetland
who, it ia said was the fret man to make
the alleged atrocities and abuses public
through the columns of the newspapers.
His testimony was interesting and occupied
the major portion of the day. An I'M
usually large number were present, and
much interest was manifested. General
Chamberlain was present and Cross e1-
amined the witnesses. he did not appear
to be very much disturbed though several
damaging statements were made. The
hearing was finally brought to a sudden
close, by wordy war between Messrs.
Root and Jones of the committee, over the
introduction by Mr.. Sweetland of letter
from Mr.. Carpenter, Senator Jones OBJ
iected to It's being read, while Senator
Root insisted that 1t should be, and the
committee went into executive session to
decide the question. A discussion over
the evidence later led to an attempt at
sparring match in the corridor by repre-
sentative of the World and Hartford
newspaper man. The hearing in detail is
as follows:
Overseer Henry Holmes was asked by
Senator Root if be had been convicted of
theft since he had been an officer and re-
piled that he had not been. He declined
to answer whether he had been convicted
of any offense before the police court of
Hartford during the time in question, say
ing that he did not care to speak of the
matter, as he had q mother and sister de-
pendent upon him for support.
Senator Jones said that he understood
the offense was that he had stolen an cleo
trio car aud that if the witness had the car
about him he could turn 1t over to the COM
mittee.
The hospital entry in regard to Martin
Cullou was read by the witness. He knew
of no rule in the prison by which a convict
could communicate with the board of di-
rectors by sealed letter. General Cham
berlain said there was no such rule in the
prison. He stated to Chairman Jones
that he was promised better position If
he stood by the warden.
To Senator Root he said he was ordered
to the overseership by Deputy Baisden
The warden has the appointment. He
was to take ex-Oficer Mullen's place. He
was put there April 5.
Qusstion-Were you ever promised any
reward or better position If you stood by
the wardena asked Senator Jones.
Answer-No, sir, neverl
The witness resumed-I am oyerseer of
the shops and have been sinee April 5. At
that time they were short of help in the
shop and was sent over there. It is a
promotion from Waterman to oversecr. I
succeeded Mr.. Mullen. I was appointed
by the deputy warden.
General Chamberlain-Was Mr.. Mullen
there the 9Th of Aprili
Holmes-l did not see him. When
took the position I was, I believe, the
senior Waterman in point of service. ]
was never told that in order to keep that
position must support the warden. I did
not on the first of May draw an overseer's
pay and went to General Ravens who said
he would see what could be done. Since
then have heard nothing more of the
matter. Martin and Mullen were absent
that morning. The deputy did not say te
me, when 1 was ordered to the shop, that
| I would be able to keep the place If stood
by the warden. Bogue was put on duty in
| the shops at the same time.
George Anthony Sweetland of Bristo
was put on the stand and sworn. He sale
he was practical nurse. He had ap
piled to General Chamberlain for place IL
the prison. He was recommended by Sen
ater Dunbar and DR.. George 8. Hull. 81
had. contributed articles to several papers
including the Naugatuck Valley Advocat
and the Hartford Examiner. He had sen
an article to the Hartford Post, which wa
not accepted. He resolved December 1S
1892, that he would bring the prisol
abuses to the public notice. He went ther
that day to attend public worship and wa
refused. He had received letters from
mysterious source relating to the abuse
and atrocities that were perpetrated in tn
prison. He had been informed that tn
outsiders were admitted to the public wor
ship by julius Deming, George s. Stron
and Thomas 81. Hammer. He knew
Strong in Bristol and visited at his hom
in Enfield.
On several occasions, he said, have ap
/ piled to Warden Chamberlain for posi-
| ton in the state prison. was at one tim
Bristol correspondent Of the New Britain
Record. ! have also recently written ar
ticles on the state prison for the Bristo
Press, Bristol Herald, the Naugstuck AID
vocate, and all but one of my articles hav
appeared. I have had no correspondent
| with anyone in the prison since Decembe
10, 1892. On that day went to the priso
to attend divine worship, but was refuses
admission. Had never been refused prio
to that time. I went there because hap
pened to be in Wethers6eld over Sunday
have not at any time had any direc
communication with any officer o
convict in the prison. have re
ceived communications from a mysteriou
source complaining of the atrocitie
practiced there. I never answered the let
tiers, for did not know from whom the
came. am of the opinion that they wer
sent to me in consequence of my first arti
Gle in the Bristol Press, which under
stand was read at the prison. Some tim
ago I overheard conversation between
two officers of the prison, Watson an
Strong. Watson said the prisoners di
not like their grub, and referred especial
to the beans, to which Strong replied
"Well, they'll have to put up with it, a
Warden Chamberlain says it's good enoug
for conviots, and If they don't like it the
ought not to be here" The letters sent t
me were unsigned. Except on one or tw
occasions never gave any of the informs
ton thus received to any of the friends Q
the prisoner.
The witness then gave an account c
some letters he had written to people /
connection with the abuses, and produce
package of the unsigned letters whie
had been received by him. One of the LEI
ters stated that the article in the Bristt
Press had been read at the prison, and tbs
the warden said he did not care for article
appearing in a one horse paper, but feare
that some first class journal might take
up. In consequence of this paper ws
circulated among the officers, and eac
one compelled to sign 1t or lose his pos
ton. Then followed a series of letters, i
which the abuses and atrocities practice
at the prison were reiterated.
In one Of the letters the correspondent
requests Sweetland to send the commun
cations to the New York World and Boz
,, | ton Globe for publication in those paper,
The entire packet of letters, ten in nun
Der, were read, detailing infinitely th
atrocities practieed in the Collou an
Jones cases and were listened to with raj
attention. Reference is often made
these letters to chamberlain, the oil
fox"
/ The reading of the letters occupie
) about three-quarters of an hour, afts
: which the witness resumed-I saw b
reading the New York World, who elaine
| to have written these letters (Mr. Mullen
1rSn SaI NIT