The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-03-29
in the report to the general assem-

in the report to the general assem-
bly,"
"Would not it tend to mislead you
gentlemen 2"
Eyes, sir. l think so, but i thought
they could see from the report itself
that it was only an estimate -
"Don't you think the estimate
could be and ought to be made q
little closer -
Eyes, sir, but with the limited time
the board has allowed to go to the
farms and go into measurements OF
all of these things, it would take a
great deal of time"
81 don't mean that. Don't you
think the farm managers ought to
make better estimate than thas p
eyes, sir, | think they ought to
post themselves better"
Mr.. Livingston asked about the
CASH transactions.
Mr.. Cunningham said the board
met once a month and cash state.
ment was handed to them. This
statement set forth where the money
came from and they supposed that
everything was properly charged
upon the penitentiary books.
The clerk would furnish convict
statement showing where the con-
victs were and also where the money
came from. This last statement did
not show any discounts
The accounts for the purchase OF
supplies we're presented to the board
each month for action. They ap-
proved the accounts, but did not look
into the disposition of the supplies.
The provisions could be used without
the knowledge of the board. The
superintendent had the disbursement
or giving out OF these supplies. The
details were left to him..
ssHow were the expenses of these
jaunts to the state farms paid for {"
s.The penitentiary didn't pay for
it,,
Further questions followed about
these launts to the state farms. Mr..
Cunningham said tbat Col. Neal had
told bin the railroad on several occa-
sions had offered him the Car free of
cost.
Mr.. Patton pushed the Inquiry and
MIR. Cunningham said that June two
years ago party from Columbia had
gone down to the farms and picnic
was given by the penitentiary' He
understood the cars cost nothing. bat
the provisions were furnished by the
penitentiary. 1t was q kind OF bar
becue, and speeches were made on
agricultural topics. The neighbors,
gathered in and pleasant occasion
was the result.
Mr.. Beggs asked ABOUT the liability
of MIR. Belton Watson for this con-
tract for convicts. and Mr.. Cunning
ham said be. was fully able to pay for
the hire.
Mr.. Patton-"Do you know if any
action has been taken to collect this
account for convict hire frem Wat
son ?n
81 was up there few days ago
trying to settle the matter, and ! told
him I would recommend to the board
st its next meeting that it take legal
action to collect it,"
nWhat did you gather from your
talk with Mr.. Watson ?"
seHe said he would pay nothing
nntii his investigation was over. He
understood, he said, that his last
draft was to pay his account up in
full"
Mr. Stevenson-"Is the board TAX
ing action now to collec. this money
from Watson ?'
Mr.. Cunningham said be was now
trying to get this and other accounts
from other parties
Mr Boggs asked-"did you not on
one occasion contribute to one OF
hose trips TO the state farm out OF
your own pocket:
Eyes, sir when Col Neal told me
what the trip would cost him, | paid
> portion of the expense