Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1895-03-22
NASH VILE
LETTER.
To the LAWRENCE DEMOCRAT.

before this tribunal during the
week, prominent among them be-
ing Mr.. Baskette, of the Banner,
who is thoroughly conversant with
the entire penitentiary matter.
Mr.. Baskette said that in q humble
way, he felt in some degree respon-
sible for the movement to build a
new penitentiary. His paper for
years had been aggressive and pre-
sistent in it's condemnation of the
of the lease system and had been
instrumental, with the other papers
of the State, in arousing a public
sentiment against it. the act of
1898 authorizing the purchase of
coal lands and of a new peniten-
tiary site, and the erection of stok-
AIDES and a main prison declares in
positive and unequivocal terms
that "in no event shall the ag9re-
gate expenditures to carry out the
provisions of this act axceed the
sum of $600,000." The expendi-
lures contemplated under the plans
adopted by the Building Commit
tee will admittedly aggregate
81 10000, and will, if carried out
upon the scale proposed, more like
ly subject the State to cost of
s1,50C,O00 if not 100000.
Among the plans submitted
were: Jones, Harris and Kirby, of
Memphis, for $4,000; Jules, G.
Zwicker, ct Nashville, $4,000;
S. M. Patton, Chattanooga 100000;
T. l.. and E. W. Smith, Lexington,
KY, 4,339; Mcdonald Bros,
Louisville, KY, $4,000.
The contract by FulcheI and
Dyas was for $951 ,659. which close
ly approximates the estimate sub
mitted by architect Smith. The
adoption of this plan calls for an
expenditure of 100000 or $780,
600 in excess of the appropriation,
which WIS 100000. Representa-
tive King, of Williamson county,
was before the committee and sup
piled it with most valuable infor-
nation. Mr.. King is secretary Of
the Penitentiary committee of the
House, and has studied the ques-
ton in all phases in conformity
with his duty as a committeeman,
and also to fulfill a pledge to his
constituency. He explained The
meaning of "paddcd" or 'loaded''
contracts showing wherein thous,
ands of dollars in losses could occur
to the State under the specifica,
tions. Mr., King had also investi-
gated the rumor that John Houk
had for the consideration of 81 SOC
detained his father-in-law, Com.
missioner Young, at his home by
causinghim TO miss the train. This
delay in his arrival, ii is claimed,
left the bids in the hands of the
supervising architect here for a pc
Rod of24 houis, and it is claimed
by some of The bidders that theil
estimates were tampelcd with dur
ing that time. Two important
witnesses in regard to This transIc'
ton wele Nj. Mrc. Ben Simcoy. oI
Knoxville. The former testified
that after the defeat of Houk fol
Congress, Elmer Houk, brother
visited his house on legal business
and in endeavoring 30 explain the
cause of his brother S defeat, assign
ed as one reason his failure to re
ceivc 81 800 from Nashville parties
who wele connected with the new
penitentiary scheme. Mrs SimcoH
! waited to know what Nashville
parties had to do with East Tenne
ssee politics, when Mr. Houk statee
that Fulcher Il Dyas, the people
who had received tie contract fol
the new peni'entiary, had promised
this sum 20 his MolheI, if he would
detain Judge Young a day or so, o,
long enough TO allow them TO max,
a bid under those hat had beer
submitted. He claimed that they
had fulfilled their part of the con
tract, bot had received no funds a
they had been placed i'll the hand
ola third party who refused to de
liver them. MIS-. Simcox is a daugh
ter of Mr.. l, n. Phillips, who is ;
member of the firm of Bush & Co.
one of the bidders, and related thes,
things 10 her father. Houk tol,