Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-07-20
Was More Self Possessed dur.
ing His Examination Thurs
day.
MEYER RECEIVED ANY CRAFT
Questioncd nbout the Interview be-
tween T'linn and Perham-PrisOn
Directors Examined--L. d.
flaxen Explains the salary
Paid to Mrs. Onkes.

Bellows Falls, July l3.-The inv ,stigation
of the Vermont state prison VIII ch is be-
ing held III Bellows Falls by the special
committee appointed 10y Governor Bcll
continued through its second day at the
probate Office with Governor Bell in at
tendance. The heat was even more op-
prcssivo than yesterday and seemed 10
affect every one, but cx-Supfrintcndcnt f.
w. Cakes, who sccrncd to be. in much bet
ter form appearing much calmcr and more
self-possessed.
Attorney General Fits SHARPLY uucs-
toned Mr.. Oakcs in regard to the rules
regulating visits to prisoners" at the insti-
tuition. Mr.. Oakcs said there was no rcgu-
lar visiting time at the rTison but the
rules was that prisoners should have VS.
itors but once Il month but this is not
strictly enforced. A lawyer of good stand
ing Is permitted to converse with Il pris-
oner in regard To his testimony nut III inc
presence of an officer. The witness upon
being asked If he had been present ut the
interview between Attorney Fhnh ana
Leon Perham,. who is serving n life sem
fence as the accomplicc of Mary Rogers,
snid he and w. d. Lowell were both there
at that time. Pcrham told the story OF
the murder from the time Mrs. Rogers
done. When asked If Perham told who
formulated the plan the witness said 1t
was Mrs. Roucrs and she wanted his as
sistancc. Perham was obliged 10 admin
lister the chloroform. Perham helping be-
cause it affected Mrs. Rogers.
The commissioners continued the exam
in.tior. N. G. Williams asked him VI he
had sufficient funds to keep the 'nStit"-
ton in repair. The witness sad that II
was his intention to keep the place III good
condition bu. said he knew the Walk about
the wall was not in repair. TEc i"elsh-
ture in 1852 appropriated R.Ho. which was
used to purchase new boilers, pipes ana
and other material. Mr.. Oakes made sug-
pestions in regards to bettcrments adj
>ising that either the olH hospital be re-
paired or n new one be built, that iron
corridors and cell doors replace the pres
ent wooden ones, that proper fire pro-
tcction be made in the, central bnildlng
and that the west wing be extended TO
bettor accommodate the large number Of
inmates.
MIR. Oakes was excused after tcstifyng
that he never received directly or in
directly any reward. fee, graft or pay
from any one with whom he traded or
made contract.
EX-D1RECTOR HAZEN EXAMINED.
l.. y. Hazcn of st. Johnsbury. prison
director from 1894 to 1899 was called.
lie said that during his term of office
the board made the usual number Of
visits and that he had no intimation
that either Superintendent Oakes or
Mr. Harpin We're not performing their
duty to the state or that any of the
H..
thought Mr.. Oakes one of the best SUI
perintendent ever AT the prison.
The prisoners were we'll treated and
the discipline severe. He had heard
rumors of trouble between Oakes and
Harpin but did not know of anything
definite.
Mr. Hazen said when asked about
the enrolment Of Mrs. Oakcs's name
on the pay roll that in the fall of 1897,
Mr.. Cakes was offered position in
Hartford. Conn, with much larger
salary and that the directors consid-
cred that an experienced man could
not be obtained for less money and
that with the consent Of Governor
Grout it was decided to allow Mrs
cakes s25 per month. Mr. IIazen
thought that the prison had been well
managed and that its officers had
been faithful and efficient and he knew
of no grounds for complaint as to tho
financial or moral conditions at the
institution.
A. T. CUDWORTH
A. T.. Cudworth of Londonderry,
director at the present time. was call
ed. He testified that he had no know
ledge of underhand dealing by any o