Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-12-29

MI. pdhts W lelilaln IN the state, the
Office in question was created, the said
member OF his family was appointed,
and continued to discharge the same
duties for compensation until early in
1901. The three directors acted con-
. scientiously to my positive knowledge,
with the firm belief that by such ac-
ton they We're conserving the best
interest Of the state, and with no in
tent Of violating any law. Whether
they exceeded their authority or not,
do not undertake 10 affirm OF deny.
When Messrs. Woodin and Allbee sue
ceeded TO vacancies on the board in
| December, 1898, by the appointment OF
Governor Stickney, they questioned
the right OF continuing the office, and
il was discontinued. For the earlier
action OF the directors, believe can
say for myself and for my associates
az that time, Mr. Cakes should in no
way be held responsible.
Mr.. Cakes is charged with convert
ing supplies belonging to the state 10
his personal and family uses with my
knowledge, special stress being laid
upon the fact that such supplies were
used Tor the entertainment OF COM
pany, and at Lake sunapee, where he
/ Is interested IN a summer home
have known that he has had company
al his house, and that be has taken
supplies 10 a limited eXtent-and very
limited as | understand ito the lake,
but did not know, and do hot be.
lieve, that either Of these things was
done with the slightest thought that be
was detraudin0 the state. Nor do
believe, that il is the intent OF the law.
which provides that part OF the com
pensation OF the superintendent shall
be subsistence OF himself and family
on the premises of the institution
meaning the prisOn-demands that the
actual consumption Of their food must
invariably be on the prison premises.
| Il would seem that a more rational
Interpretation Of the law and its intent.
may be held rightfully and Justly.
As 10 the purchase from brother OF
grain and feed Tor horses, and to be
used for other purposes Tor "a consld-
cradle time past, il is not alleged that
this was done BY Mr.. Cakes at prices
In excess OF what the same supplies
could be obtained elsewhere. Nor is
reference made TO the fact by the
committee) that said brother had been
In business only about two years, and
that in company with another, not a
relative, he sueceefed 10 a business es-
tablshed by the late Rollin Amsden,
from whom aud from whose estate
such supplies had been previously
purchased. II is stated also that COM
plant had been made by some of the
"interior officers" as 10 the quantity
and quality OF the supplies furnished
their table. / have only 10 say, |
never heard before of such COM
plant.
There practically remains nothing
in the findings against Mr.. Cakes, ex-
cept the question of the use OF state
mileage books. During the years
from 1898 to 1908 inclusive, 1t is found
he bought twenty mileage books on
state account. which, il is further
found, "in few instances, at least, he
used for private purposes, Tor which
no credit 10 the state was given.
understand that Mr.. Cakes would not
DENY this. On the other hand, did
Mr.. Cakes ever travel at his own eX-
pense on state business? | under
stand so. And more, that for many
years he invariably turned in TO ;he
credit OF the state, special, personal
service fees in taking prisoners before
the courts, amounting 10 a consider
able sum, to which he was clearly en-
titled under a ruling by the present
state auditor.
Mr.. Cakes has been superintendent
of the prison for twenty years or more,
succeeding Mr. Rice In 1888, who was
called 20 the office four or five years
earlier by Governor Proctor, ! think,
at time when the affairs of the prison
were in the most deplorable condition.
From that time there has been steady
progress and advancement towards the
ideal of a model prison. Towards
this Mr.. Cakes has ever contributed OF
his most conscientious effort. He has
brought the institution to a point
where Il is conceded by prison experts
the country to be among
the first in discipline and other mat
tiers. Probably a million dollars, If
not more. OF state funds have passed
through his hands, with every penny,
so far as | know, accounted for. He
has the highest regard and esteem OF
the community. in which he has made
his home all these years. He has
earned and retained the respect, as a
faithful. earnest, honest official, OF
every director OF the prison, so far as
| know, aud state officer with whom
he has been brought into contact. He
has now been subjected TO a most
searching investigation. Taking the
report of the committee into the most
careful consideration, is there any
thing in il that actually warrants the
belief that Mr.. Cakes has ever been
guilty of an intentional evasion or VIC
iation OF the law? | believe he has
not. In conclusion, | want 20 say
that what have written relative to
Mr.. Cakes has been done without con
sultation with him and without his
knowledge at the time of writing.
MARSH O. PERKINS.