The Van Buren press., 1901-04-06
~, ,uy,,,,r.,,ur Commiltes Report.

mittee:
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 commits
sioners, but that the reverse rule has
been adopted and has prevailed for the
| last two years, IL 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 its 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 con-
tract for the supply of wood By the
penitentiary with Hall G. Mcconnell,
minor, and the son Of Superintendent
e. T. Mcconnell. tla
We find that the superintendent and
financial tscnt, 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 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 tho superintendent did
not promptly discharge and the board
did not demand the prompt discharge
of K. A. Cline, q warden In charge Of
convict camp when 1t had been con
clusively established before said board
that the said Cline had been guilty
Of dlsposing of cotton seed belonging
to the state of the value of about ST.
800, and appropriating the proceeds to
his own use.
We find that Frank Hill. commits
sioner Of mines, manufactures and
agriculture, and n member of the
board took up bed and board at the
penitentiary and that the superin-
tendent invited and permitted the
same.
We find that the board purchased n
site for the new penitentiary at an
exorbtant price without first ascer-
tanning or inauiring as to the mar
ket or prevailing price of real estate
in the vicinity Of said site.
We find that the superintendent per-
mitted convicts to be hired out as do
nestle servants In five instances in
violation of section $3.50 of Sandels G
Hills Digest.
We find that the superintendent and
financial agent, in compliance with the
orders of the board. executed u con.
tract with the Arkansas Brick and
Manufacturing Company for the sup
ply of material to be used In the con-
struction Of tho new penitentlary 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
uremcnt 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. T.
T. Mcconnell offered to remuncrato
s. p, Turner, purchasing agent for the
state charitable institutions. II he
(Turner) would award to him iMc.
Connolly the contract to supply the
state charitable institutions with coal
for the season Of 1898 and 1891, hut
that no 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.
pensc Of the state.
Senator Buckner. u member OF the
committee, made report. In which he
stated that while the investigation
brought TO light n few Irregularities In
procedure on the part of the board
and officials Of the penitentary there
is nothing whatever that calls for seri.
GUS condemnation on the part Of the
senate and house of representatives
On the contrary, considering the dl.
versity OF interests and the wide field
covered by the ponitcntiary manage.
ment the state Ia to be congratulated
upon a most careful and buslness.lkc
management of the nffairs Of the penl.
Tertiary which has made that insti'
tuition entirely sclfsustainlng instead
Of pecunlary burden upon the
state,
An Old Negreaa
Garland county has colored wo
man who has lived In three centuries
On the Mt day Of last January she was
d Il l.. L.. -