The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-12
NO I%RREGULARITY SHOWN
FIRST MEETING TO INVESTIGATE
SOUTHERN REFoRMATORY.
Deputy State Auditor Martin Explains
to Committee How the Ac-
counts Are Kept.

FcScnIaIlNeS Dy MI JdIlcS, was hSA1 AaSe
night. The meeting was in the nature or a
preliminary examination prior to the in
vestigation which is to begin next Satur-
day morning and continue throughout next
week, with a two days trip to the insti-
tuition. Frank Martin, deputy auditor OF
state. was the only witness examined last
night, and he told the manner in which all
accounts with the institution were reported
to the auditor Of state. He was on the
stand nearly W hours and after he was
dismissed. member of the joint commit
tee said his testimony Shove there was
no ~irregularity at the institution.
Attorney General Taylor said, preliminary
to the introduction Of testimony, that he
understood the committee to have assem-
bled for the purpose Of conducting an in
vestigation. ''This is not" he said. "a
persecution or an attempt to whitewash
the actions of superintendent Herr. When
Mr.. Hert became warden he was to receive
a salary of $500 by statute; later he be-
came superintendent, when the board of
control was to fix his compensation. There
was nothing stated about the maintenance
Of his home. When Mr.. Hert went to the
institution. in 1895, he found some six or
seven funds. The library fund was made
up from gate receipts. The guards dining
room fund was collected from the guards,
Who gave a portion OF their wages to 1t
every month"
THE NEW SYSTEM.
The above funds are the ones referred
TO in the charges. These funds have since
been abolished by a new system and the
guards are now paid higher wages and are
given their maintenance by the State. Un-
der the old system, Attorney General Tay-
Tor stated, 1t was the custom of the wardens
to furnish their own residences. while I'M
| der the new law there was nothing stated
as to whether or not the funds appropriate
ed for the institution should be used for
the maintenance Of a residence for the
| warden.
Superintendent Hert, accompanied by d.
j.. Terhune. OF Linton, and III. c. Duncan,
of Bloomington, both members of the
board of managers OF the R~eformatory,
was an interested visitor last night.
Mr.. Martin was placed upon the witness
stand and was examined by Attorney Gen
eral Taylor and members OF the committee
and ave q complete statement regarding
/ the funds of the Southern
Mr.. Martin said that in the office Of the
auditor of state separate accounts were
kept of each appropriation and no war
rants were drawn exceeding the specific
appropriation. No money was expended
by the institution, he said. for which prop
er vouchers were not filed with the auditor
| OF state.
Mr.. Martin gave a detailed statement Of
tAC lCS VI tic
asked to give an outline OF the manner of
making purchases and statements, Mr..
Martin said that goods were purchased at
the institution and bills were made out
at the end of each month, which were ex-
amined by the heads of the various depart
ments and then 20. KID" Vouchers were
then made out and the bills numbered and
attached to the vouchers, after which they
were corrected by the clerk and sent to
the. board of managers. After being ex-
amined by that board they were sent to
the auditor of state and warrants issued.
ALWAYS VERIFIED.
Representative Davis asked Mr.. Hert
what means the board had OF knowing the
bills were correct and he said the. bills
went through the hands of at least thr-.
different people before they reached tho
board and were always verified. 1t was
suggested that when the time came in the
Investigation members of the board would
be placed upon the stand to testify to the
bills. Mr.. Martin said that each year
thers has been a deficit in the accounts
which was carried over until the next year,
when IL was paid out of the appropriation
for that year. He said the increased de-
felt now existing was due to the fact
that the m made for the mainte-
nance OF the institution had been too low
and the appropriation correspondingly too
small to meet the expenses. He said the
bills to be paid in November were always
the largest of the year. The deficit in 1895
and 1889, said Mr.. Martin, amounted to S. 500
for each year, and they were carried over
to the next year.
Mr.. Martin said no separate record was
kept OF the library fund, as Ii was paid
into the State under a decision of the at
torney general that the fund was derived
from the gate receipts and must be turned
into the treasury with other receipts. Prior
to 1899, Mr.. Martin said the reports of the
institution were made every three months
and the warden deducted the expenses from
the receipts and RENTED the balance to the
| state treasurer.
EVERY SIX MONTHS.
Under the present system reports are
made every six months and the superin-
tendent must remit all receipts and state
ment OF all expenses and the expenses are
then paid by warrants. He said that sep
arate statements were made to the State
Board OF Charities of minor accounts. The
auditor OF state has but one fund cred
tied to that institution known as the earn
ings of the Indiana State Reformatory
All earnings made are turned in and a
sworn statement made by the superin-
tendent that they are correct.
They cannot settle their own accounts
and send in the balance as all payments
are made through the auditor of state
said the witness.
In paying salaries a separate voucher is
made out for each guard and regular en-
| piOlc VI the luSlllullOn, anu the pay IOl
shows payment OF all regular employees. Nc
accounts are sent to the auditor of the
cost Of maintenance of the superintend-
ent's house. and no other institution in
the State submits such reports. Senator
Ball asked what the salaries OF the insti-
tuition are, and the witness said the pay
roll varies each month and the last pay
roll was for sixty people. Mr.. Hert draws
$1,000 a year, his assistant 81, 800 and the
guards $50 a month.
The Democratic members Of the commit.
tee asked Mr.. Martin if he did not tel
Mr.. Hert that he must make good the
deficits, but Mr.. Martin denied this by
saying he told Mr.. Hert that he should
go before the Legislature and ask an APP
preparation to cover the deficiency. TIL,
present deficit amounts to about s19. 900. anC
the inventory of stores shows about $4,000
Mr.. Martin said the institution could no
live within the appropriation last year.
Attorney General Taylor called attention
TO the fact that January bills for 1901 hav,
not been paid. State Auditor Hart explained
that he asked the attorney general Iol
advice regarding the craving Of warrants
and the latter said the Legislature SHOULD
appropriate money TO pay the deficiency
which will be asked at once. Mr.. Har
said he wrote letters to each institution
in the State stating that no warrants will
be issued except on sworn statement b,
the superintendent that the bills for thu
fiscal year have not exceeded the appro
priation. Mr.. Hart said the Reformation,
needs about $4,000 In addition TO the ap
preparation OF Sos. 500. which the Legisla
ture should appropriate.
The committee adjourned after hearinl
Mr.. Martins 10 meet Satur