The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1904-12-08
MISMANAGEMENT,
MISAPPROPRIATION,
DUTIES NOT DONE

NufI tuffClNl1lJn lAlAA rfA4A DhttlQ Vi AAlttr
tors have had over the institution fer
several years last past, and all Of them
have not met together for the past year,
and only once in the past two years"
Superintendent 0akes has purchased
the institutions supplies without adver-
tising for proposals. Grain and feed for
the stables were bought of the superin-
tendent's brothers. firm in Windsor.
There were other firms ia Windsor deal
ing in grain and feed but these had
not been visited to get prices.
Tho state prison was kept clean, or
derly and was in good sanitary condi-
ton.
Industrial School Fairly Satisfactory.
The Industrial School at Yergennes
is given an analysis by the committee.
They found little to criticise there, and
the whole may be summed up in the
following words
eThe board Of trustees, consisting Of
r. W. Hulburd, j. e. Weeks and j. w.
Fowler, meet each month at the insti-
tuition, examine and audit all accounts,
advise with and direct the superinten
dent both in the general management
of the institution and in the pgrchase
Of supplies, which is done in the open
market without advertising for competi-
tive bids. Mr.. Weeks visits the insti
tuition quite often during the month,
4 especially in the interest Of the farming
Operations"
+ Regarding the industrial school the
lcommittee makes some recommendations
to remedy minor defects, one of which
iis that there might be a saving ia
salaries at what is called the main
building on account of the reduced
number Of inmates.
Light On House Of Correction.
Taking up the house Of correction at
Rutland, the committee reports that ID
4 u. Morgan, tho superintendent received,
iup to 1898, a salary Of $1,000 per an
num; then il was raised to $1,000,
with rent and subsistence for himself
and family on tho premises of the in
stitutien." For a period the state snp.
ported thirteen people, members 81 the
family Of the superintendent and the
/ officers Supt. Morgan appointed his
son-in law as one OF the officers for five
years Part Of that time the son.in-law
paid for the board Of his wife and child
SIP per month--for one or two years
I the board Of the wife and the child was
allowed the son-.n-lSw as an increase Of
salary.
The directors of this institution, the
same As of the state prison in 1896,
created the position of house keeper
and installed The superintendent wife
in Ii, same az at tho other institution.
/ Mrs, Morgan continues to hold the po.
= =.
The state " Vermont has furnished
the Morgan household a cook, and Mrs
Morgan has also heen assisted by fe-
male prisoners. The committee SAYS
Mrs. Morgan performed tho same work
lsefare she was appointed, that she ias
performed since, and her appointment
was made when Superintendent Morgan
& could receive By law. sun not exceed
ing $1,000. The Office If house keep.
er'' was omitted from the reports 81
1902 and 1904, after the position had
been abolished iii The state prison.
Convict labor was sold 70 certain
Rutland firm which in 1890 became In
solvent Hoping to get something out
of it the Institution took a quantity y
stock which has been worked since. Ma
chinerv and coal were required fer this
and since Director Woodiir went iute
office, repairs or supplies for repairs 81
the machinery have been bought OF 9
Cooperation 0f which Director WoodhE
had controlling interest and was pres
ident. The same corporation has pdr'
chased si,725 Of the manufactured stock
during the past two years. The same
director has had control and manage
pent of the convict labor, the snpenn
tendent OF the institution having nc
knowledge of the business. says ths
committee: "He disclaims all RESPONSE
gbility with reference thereto and claims
that he il in no way responsible for any
nismanagement Of that business ans
that he Is not liable therefor under HI;
bond TO the state. Neither the managel
NOR the book keeper have filed any bono
10 indemnify the state for any ios'
which It may sustain, ii any, IN con
sequence Of acknowledgement Of said bus
mess of the misappropriation OF any o
the states funds,
The state ariitor OF accounts has iev
er received any detailed statement O
moneys received or paid out BY the in
lstitution on account Of the business anC
, no vouchers have been furnished him re
specting the management ot tha0 Dusl
i hness. Cash and checks have been re
ceiged for sales OF goods, deposited ans
withdrawn upon checks Of the manager
countersigned by Mr.. Woodiin. All tina
II known of the business is that show
! in the biennial report Of the house Q
correction which shows tie net earning
to be S33, ,se0.14.
The state has lost largely througl
sales to irresponsible parties, a sum be
tween four and five thousand dollars be
ing now included in the assets which !
il hoped may be collected. Other losse
have beer checked off the books thr5agI
the insolvency Of the purchasers,
Closing With the house of correction
the committee says "The general over
siglA Of the institution, like that Of It
/ marble business, has been wholly en-
trusted to tho resident director, MI
Woodfin, who was absent from May mn
ltil September, 1904, and during his ah
tenee none of the other directors sisite
, The Institution.
We are unable to report With refer
enc. to the expenses any more full
/ than IS shown by the biennial report
! of the institution, tile auditors report
! and tile report Of the sub committee Q
lt.