The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-26
Throughout the Evening Represents
tive Davis INDUCED I'm Saw
age Personalities.
END OF THE INVESTIGATION
BOTH SIDES WILL MAKE THEIR AR
GUMENTs TOMORROW.
During the Afternoon the Reforma-
tory Clerk Was on the Stand and
Read from His Records.

The Joint legislative committee which is
investigating the Indiana Reformatory con-
cluded the taking of evidence late last
night The investigation will be prac-
tically completed tomorrow. when the
committee will hear argument from both
sides. The argument will be limited TO
half an hour on each side. Last nights
proceedings became rather sensational be-
fore the close.
Superintendent Hert was on the witness
stand all evening, and for an hour or
more was on cross-sxamination. He made
a most excellent witness, and impressed
the committee favorably. His attorney, W.
A. Keteham, in conducting the direct ex-
animation. took up the different PROPOSE
tions discussed in the answer recently filed
by Mr.. Hert. The testimony OF the wit
nesses called by the committee, and which
was against the superintendent, was also
taken up by Mr.. Ketcham, and Mr.. Hert
was asked to explain the different charges
made by the prosecuting witnesses. The
superintendent explained the dining hall
fund" and the library fund.-" of which
so much has been said. He also related
what had occurred between him and the
board of managers regarding the repairs
made on the residence while he was war
den of the institution. He said the board
told him to have an architect look over the
premises and ascertain what the repairs
would cost. He did so, and reported to
the board that it would require about s., 000
to put the house in good shape The direct
ors said they did not like to run up an ex-
pense of 5000, but agreed to make an ap-
preparation of $1,000. and worded the
resolution making this appropriation that
warden could
than this If necessary. The repairs were
made. The superintendent was asked about
ence of prisoners He said he had only
known of three instances of this kind, and
in each instance he had discharged the
offenders.
PAID THE BILL HIMSELF.
One Of the witnesses had testified that
Mr.. Hert. during the Legislature of 1897.
spent several weeks here. and that bill
charged up by the management of the
Denison Hotel for his entertainment was
presented to the auditor of state, who re-
fused TO allow it. Mr.. Hert was asked to
explain this, and did so. He admitted
that he did spend considerable time here
that winter, but he was called here to
| furnish what information he could for the
benefit of the Legislature in preparing for
the change that took place in the two pris-
ons His expenses at the hotel amounted
| TO $l04, and the state auditor objected to
this amount, and offered to allow only
part Of IL. Mr.. Hert objected and said
| If it was right TO allow part of the bill it
was right to allow all of IL. The auditor
declined TO do this, and Mr.. Hert paid the
entire bill
After Attorney General Taylor had con-
cluded the cross-examination of the wit
ness. Representative Davis took a hand
| Mr.. Davis, as minority member of the
House, has been assisting in the prose
cution. Davis and Superintendent Hert
f0rmQrlV ted in
/ ty. Mr.. Davis became extremely personal
| in some of his questions and 1t was with
difficulty that the witness was able to curb
How much more, Mr.. Hert, are you
worth financially than when you went te
this institution" was one Of the questions
The reply was: That's none of your bust
ness"
| NAGGED BY DAVIS.
Mr.. Davis asked the witness if 1t was
| not fact that Pate, who was formerly
| clerk at the prison and who testified
against Superintendent Hert last Satur.
| day. had refused to go on his (Iert's) bond
| Pate testified that he was on Hert's frs
| bond and declined to go on his second
bond. Mr.. Hert denied last night that Pate
| was asked to go on his bond a second time
| and declared that the man who said he
| made this request was "a liar" Mr.
| ketcham at this point cautioned his client
| to refrain from this sort of reply. ~ few
minutes later the cross-examination agar
| became personal and the Witness was al
most unable to control his wrath. Once
| he started from his chair, but controlled
| himself and settled down again At tn,
| same time he appealed to the committee e
| know If he had TO sit and be black
| guarded" in that sort of way.
| 1t was after IL O'Clock before the exam
| ination OF Superintendent Hert was com
i pleted. Representative Davis sought Il
| introduce the affidavit of John N Healy
hN mo- aGcfG 1nrlr
Healy now lives in Philadelphia The
| committee declined to admit the affidavit
| as evidence. 1t largely corroborates tn,
testimony given by Pate.