The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-07
THE PENITENTIARY INVESTIGA
TION-DEMOCRATS MUST
TAKE CHARGE.

TAKE CHARGE.
The Joint resolution introduced In the
Senate by Mr. Brown, of Columbus, to
investigate the penitentiary management
will become a law soon. If the COM
mittee is promptly named, as it doubtless
will be, the investigation Of the man
acement of that institution will COM
mence next week. We have no doubt
that the committee named will investi-
gate promptly and fully, and the use of
whitewash, so often employed by So
called investigating committees, will be
disnensed with. What the people expect
is a thorough probing to the bottom.
From the day that the penitentiary was
turned over to the Republicans it has
been the scene of scandal, escapes and
mismanagement until nothing that could
occur in connection with it would surprise
the people. When the Governor got rid
of John r. Smith, it was expected that
things would improve, but the number of
escapes of prisoners and the discharge of
officials kept the institution i'll the eye
of the people in an unsavory way, cul-
minating in Mewborne's offensive refusal
to give any information with reference
to the affairs of the penitentiary. The
appointment of Capt. Day to succeed
Mewborne raised storm of protests
which were loud enough to be heard to
Murphy. When this storm was at its
height, here comes the Republican board
of directors who refuse to sanction Days
board in harmony with the Governors
apDointee And SO it goes, the whole
affair being like nothing else except the
Witches Caldron:
''Filet of fenny snake,
In the caldron, boil and bake;
Eye of newt. and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,
Lizards leg, and owlet's wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble
Like a hel-broth boil and bubble"
The attempt of the Governor to antici
pate the Democrats in making a change
in the management of the penitentiary
followed by the refusal of the Russell
board to confirm Capt. Days appoint
ments, or to resign. show that just so
long as there is lacking full and absolute
control through Democratic agents
chosen by a Democratic Legislature, the
penitentiary affairs will be
"A charm of powerful trouble
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble"
1t must be clear now even to Cant.
Days best friends that this Legislature
must take charge of the pententiary I'M
der law of Democratic making. The
antics of Chairman Dockery and his as
sociates on the board, the refusal of Of
ficials to retire the resentment at the
Governors attempt to forestal the
Democratic Legislature-tbese have made
it impossible for, the Democratic legisia-
tors, even those who would be glad toll
see Capt. Day confirmed, to do any
thing but repeal the Fusion law govern
ing the penitentiary, and reorganize the
penitentiary under legislation and man
agement approved by the chosen repre-
sentatives of the Democratic party.
The investigation ordered by the Leg
islature will be separate and apart from
the investigation now being made by
experts selected by Capt. Day. They |
will work separately and make reports |
have no authority to compel attendance
or to administer oaths, and while they |
are expert accountants they will not
be able to elicit the information that the
legislative committee can get only by |
forcing unwilling witnesses. Every
transaction of Importance win be taken |
up by the legislative committee, and
persons who have sold to the peniten- |
tiary and bought its products, viii be
some damaging statements with refer
ence to the sale of certain cotton that |
have never been denied or explained, and
while the scandals have been aired in
the papers they have not been given such !
an investigation as the legislative com
mittee will guarantee.
There is something rotten in Den
mark if it can be exposed. 1t is duty |
that the Democrats owe to the people to
give the sworn testimony concerning it
and let no guilty man escape. Before
taking full charge of the institution, the
past must be known and the response
bilty for Encouragement be fixed. If
it sends anybody to the penitentiary, let
him wear stripes. If it vindicates any
man resting under unjust suspicion, it
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