The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1895-04-29
GENERAL POLITICS.
WHAT THE POLTTICIANSA ARE DOING
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
Committee Pcnitcntiary Scandal
Other General Political News.

Nashville, Tenn, April 2i.-(Special.) THE
penitentiaTy committee this afternoon made
a formal recommendation to Governor
Turney that he pardon forty-nine convicts
now in the main pentientiary and the
branch prisons. Five of these convicts are
women and three of them are negroes and
have children born within the walls. OF
the others recommended to be pardoned,
are a number of boys, several TRUSTEES who
have made good records, and the others
are either aged or infirm.
The tabulated statement furnished the
governor set forth fully the facts in each
case and the pardons will probably be
granted.
The Penitentiary Contract IA Fraud.
Nashville Tenn, April Especial tine
committee that has been investigating the
penitentiary scandal reported today, Sus-
tanning most OF the charges. The committee
says il has found both fraud and corrup-
ton. In the Franklin county farm transact
ton. which was disapprovcd by Governor
Turney, eX-Commssioner Mcdowell would
have shared the profits.
The committee then reports on the matter
of Adjutant General Fite and the railroad
tax assessor. Estill, receiving $500 each for
assisting in the sale of the Cockerill farm.
The facts are fully set forth. The new pen
itentiary matter is then taken up, and it is
shown that Architect w. c. Smith testi-
fled two years ago that 1900 cell prison
could be built for $4,000. while the esti-
mate on his plans was 100000 and the con-
tract was let for 1851 GOO, and Smith now
states that 100000 more will be necessary
to complete it.
The law required that i'm no event should
the aggregate expenditures exceed 100000.
The letting OF the contract was as fraud
ulent and corrupt transaction as ever
took place in the state. The commissioners
were wholly incompetent and unfaitnfui
in the discharge of their duties. The con-
tractors were aware that the selection of
the state architect was the key to the sit
uation.
Called Each other Liars.
Nashville. Tenn. April 26.-(Special) THE
house today was the scene of "A sensational
and disgraceful proceeding. in which two
Davidson county members participated.
and one of them will doubtless be arraigned
at the bar OF the house tomorrow for his
part i'm it.
Representative George Moore, who is also
member of the city council. was called on
at a meeting of that body last night to ex-
plain language used as to there being
job in a bill before the legislature which
the council had indorsed.
Mr. Moore explained that he intended no
reflection on the council. but had referred
to Davidson's representatives as being In
the job and a disgrace to the city. The
publication of this statement caused sever
al of the Davidson county delegation to
arise to questions of privilege in the house
today.
Mr. Hill said that if Mr.. Moore was cor
rectly reported. he was "a liar and the
truth was not i'm him" Mr.. Moore at
once jumped up and called Mr.. He'll "a lying
1t took a half dozen members to keep the
Noore's charges was laid on the table.
The house then directed that the Ian
guage used be recorded on the journal and
Mr.. Jones offered resolution TO arraign
Mr.. Moore at the bar of the house and in
structing the speaker to reprimand him and
warn him against repeating the ononse
Owing to the excitement prevailing, consid-
Grafton was postponed until tomorrow.
Gives Turney a Majority.
Nashville. Tenn. April 27.-(SpeciaL)-
The majority report of the committee on
governors election. which is signed by the
seven democratic members of the commit
tee, was presented TO Speaker Pillow, OF
the senate. today. and he at once gave
notice calling the house and senate TO
meet in joint convention in the hall OF the
house at IL o'clock Tuesday morning. The
report is very lengthy. and shows that the
committee decided that - $50 ballots were
Illegal and should be thrown out. OF
these 1888 We're east for Turney and 125J6
for Evans Deducting these numbers from
the total vote as officially returned to the
secretary of state Turney Will have a
plurality OF 2.35S. as against the 5H plu-
rality shown for Evans by the corrected
official returns.
II is expected that the greater part or
next week will be consumed in arguing the
case 10y members. Eyanss attorneys desire
10 make argument before the joint con-
ventiOn, and the question Of allowing them
TO do SO will be brought up The five re
publican members of the committee are pre-
pairing a majority report attacking the
constitutionality of the poll-taX law pro
testing against the committee rulings IN
dissent from the committees rulings as to
regard TO refusing to Investigate certain
counties because the charges were decided
not specific. and attacking the investiga-
ton as unfair and incomplete. They also
the law ana the fact This report VII
probably be presented Monday.
STATE CONVENTION IN MISSISSIPPI.