New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-28
CHARGES AGAINST LATHROP.
THE GOVERNOR ASKED TO REMOVE THE
PRISON SUPERINTENDENT.
THE CITIZENS OF PLATTsBURG APPEAR AS THE
ACCUsERs-rHE CHARGES FOUNDED UPON
TESTIMONY TAKEN by A COMMITTEE

THE CITIZENS OF PLATTsBURG APPEAR AS THE
Acc-r-sERs-rrE CHARGES FOUNDED UPON
TESTIMONY TAKEN by COMMITTEE
OF THE LEGISLATURE.
Albany Sept T.-John VI. Viewer and Jehai b.
white OF Plattsburg the former an ex-Congress-
man. have presented to Governor Morton pettioh
praying for the removal OF Austin Llthrop, super
intendent OF State Prisons. The petition embraces
thirteen counts. and the charges are foundeu IN
part upon evidence taken before an investigating
committee appointed by the Legislature OF whicn
Senator Kilburn OF Franklin. was chairman
Tho petitioners assert that Mr.. Lathrop has vio-
lated his duty in permitting the Warden OF Auburn
Prison to purchase large quantities OF peer io'
the use OF the prison at prices much higher tnah IL
could have been purchased for, and that the beef
was OF a poor and inferior quality; that the Warden
sold n large quantity OF scrap iron and brass and
q large number of horse-collars for much less than
the property worth; that the general leueer
book was not properly KEEP. for the years l@2 ana
1893: that subordinate ofcIl!s at Auburn have been
permitted TO draw more than one salary each, con-
trary to law: that profits TO the State from the
ho.low-ware and cast-iron Industries, amounting
in 1892 TO $4,000 were lost TO the State by the
abandonment OF the State account system ana
the transfer OF these industries to citizen OF
Baltimore; that the law relating TO the labor OF
prisoners has been violated by working under the
piece price system tnat me VI piiS"h
ers was let at so much day: that the principal
keeper at Sing Sing has been permitted to occupy
for several years house belonging to the State
without paying rent therefor: that this keeper has
been permitted to sit in judgment upon the conduct
of refractory prisoners and TO prescribe cruel ana IN
human punshments for misconduct, contrary TO
the law which imposes these duties and response
btes upon the Warden; that contract to place
Jocks upon the prison cells at Sing Sing was let Tor
$1,000 without advertising for bids. and that the
contractor made a profit OF 5000; that for three
years prisoners at Clinton Prison. instead OF being
confined therein. have been permitted 10 run at
large to drive about the country unattended, to go
on long hunting expeditions. sometimes in citizens
Clothes sleep in barns outside the prison. TO
visit hotels in the village of Dannemora and pur-
chase intoxicating liquors, to carry intoxicating
liquors into the prison and TO become intoxicated
therein; that the Superintendent has permitted
prison officials to use for their private purposes
property Of the State. and that property has been
purchased for the State at excessive price and a
rebate allowed to officials.
The petitioners alege that Notwithstanding the
knowledge OF these facts, superintendent Lathrop
has since May retained In office the officials who
charged directly with the misconduct set forth
In the petition.
A copy OF the charges will be given to the Super
be heard in his his defence The report upon which
these charges are made referred by the last
Legislature TO Governor Morton, and several Re-
publican Senator'S asked the Governor 10 remove
General LathrOp. whose term does not expire until
1898 The Superintendent OF State Prisons can only
be removed by the Governor on charges proven
after a hearing.
Governor Morton refused three months ago
to act on the report as It was submitted to him.
charges The petition which has been filed with the
Governor the result OF his action at that time he
having intimated that he would consider the test-
mony contained In the report. should 1t be properly
prepared charges