The Forrest City times., 1901-04-05
f-" i"v-.'ig nng om.,i .. H DC,


 The joint committee to investigate the management of the state peniten- tiary presented the following report, signed by majority of the com. nittee:
 That in our opinion the provisions of the statute relating to the manage ment of the affairs of the penitentiary have not been properly regarded. That the law requires contracts to be executed by the superintendent and financial agent subject to the approval of the board of penitentiary commis sioners. but that the reverse rule has been adopted and has prevailed for the last two years. if not longer. That the superintendent and finan- cial agent are required by statute to file their biennial report by the first of November preceding the sitting of the general assembly. but that for some years past these officers have failed to file their reports until the first of January preceding the sitting of the legislature.
 That the superintendent and finan- cial agent are required by statute to file monthly report with the audi tor, but that at the time your commit tee began it's investigation they were some ten or eleven months behind in the discharge of that duty. We find that the superintendent and financial agent, by and with the approval of the board, executed a con tract for the supply of wood by the penitentiary with Hall c. Mcconnell, minor. and the son of Superintendent E. T. Mcconnell
 We find that the superintendent and financial agent, in compliance with the orders of the board. executed a con. tract with w. A. Bright for the hire of convicts to be worked upon a rail. road in Washington county without first demanding that a bond be exc. cuted. or some other kind of indem- nifty be given, whereby the state might secure payment of the indebtedness which might accrue to her under the terms and provisions of said contract. We find that the superintendent did not promptly discharge and the board did not demand the prompt discharge of K. A. Cline, a warden in charge of
 convict camp when it had been con clusively established before said board that the said Cline had been guilty of disposing of cotton seed belonging
 to the state of the value of about $1,- 800, and appropriating the proceeds to his own use
 We find that Frank Hill. commits siOner of mines, manufactures and agriculture. and a member of the board. took up bed and board at the f'enitentiary and that the superin- sendent invited and permitted the same
 We find that the board purchased a site for the new penitentiary at an exorbitant price without first ascer- taining or inquiring as to the mar ket or prevailing price of real estate in the vicinity of said site We find that the superintendent per mitted conyicts to be hired out as do
 mestic servants in five instances in violation of section 5559 of Sandels & Hills Digest.
 We find that the superintendent and financial agent. in compliance with the orders of the board. executed a con. tract with the Arkansas Brick and Manufacturing Company for the sup ply of material to be used in the con struction of the new penitentiary walls and buildings without first advertis- ing for competitive bids or ascertain ing the price or costs of such material or the customary rules of wall meas urement in use in this locality. We find that the universal custom has been to hire convicts out at fifty cents per day, the state maintaining, clothing and guarding the same. We find that the board has made contracts for the hire of con victs for periods of time extending beyond their terms of office. and in one instance for a period of ten years.
 We find that the superintendent. E. T. Mcconnell. offered to remunerate s. P. Turner, purchasing agent for the state charitable institutions. if he
  ConnelD the contract to supply the state charitable institutions with coal for the season of 1898 and 1S9? hut that he did not act in an official capacity.
 In our opinion there are other affairs of less consequence pertaining to the management that have not been conducted in that business-like man. ner that should obtain among which we mention that horses belonging to outside parties and state officers have been kept and cared for at the ex- pense of the state
 Senator Buckner. a member of the committee, made report. in which he stated that while the investigation brought to light few irregularities in procedure on the part of the board and officials of the penitentiary. there is nothing whatever that calls for seri- ous condemnation on the part of the