The Monticellonian., 1901-04-05
Pen Investigating comn,t ts., xe,orr.

tHe management or the StaIe penllen- tiary presented the following report, signed by majority of the com 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. 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- | eial 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 penitentiafy with Hall C. Mcconnell, minor, and the son of Superintendent k. 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 conYicts to be worked upon a rail. 1 road in Washington county without first demanding that a bond be exc cuted. or some other kind of indem- nity 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 E. A. Cline, a warden in charge of a convict camp when it had been con l 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 $t,- 500, and appropriating the proceeds to his own use.
 We find that Frank Hill. commits sioner of mines, manufactures and agriculture, and 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 a 1 site for the new penitentiary at an exorbitant price without first ascer- taining or inquiring as to the mar Bet or prevailing price of real estate l 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 l tract with the Arkansas Brick and Manufacturing Company for the sup ply of material to be used in the con. l struetion 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 eonvicts 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 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 (Turner) would award to him tMc- Connell) the contract to supply the state charitable institutions with coal for the season of 1898 and 1Sg? 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. her 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 0fi tie 5srt of the senate and house of representatives On the contrary. considering the di- versity of interests and the wide field covered by the penitentiary manage ment, the state is to be congratulated upon a most careful and business-like management of the affairs of the peni- tentiary which has made that insti tut on entirely self-sustaining instead of pecuniary burden upon the state"
 An Oid Segress
 Garland oOuntv nol0rad