Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-08-17
The investigating Committees Report on
the House Of Correction.


into all the affairs of the institution, in
cluding its history, its management both
as a penal institution and as a business
concern, its financial accounts, the marble
working industry on which the inmates
Gre employed, its sanitary and general
physical condition, its moral atmosphere.
the character and competency of its Of
ficlals, the needs OF the institution, etc.
AS a matter Of general information in
regard to the affairs of the state, and
independent of any other consideration,
this report will be read with interest.
But at this time. when all our state in
stltutions are under a fire of denunciatory
criticism from Mr.. Clement and his lit
erary bureau, It has a very special inter-
est and significance, from the fact that
the committee find the house OF cor
rection absolutely free from graft, from
mismanagement from financial Irregular
ity. and from anything and everything
that could give just cause for Mr.. Glenn
ent's sweeping charges. On the contrary
its management and its character, both as
a penal institution and as a business
concern, are found to be such as will give
a feeling Of pride and satisfaction to every
Vermont citizen. Here and there con-
ment is recommended, but these are of a
minor character and they do not reflect
upon or affect the general standing Of the
institution. Mr.. Clements severest crit
icism of the house of correction has been
directed toward the marble manufactur-
ing business conducted there, with re-
peated insinuations that something rot
ten was covered up in this business
f,l, GWfo
not care to have exposed For this rea-
son that part OF the committees report
which relates to the manufacturing de-
partment is OF special interest BY way
Of explanation 1t may be said that since
1889, when the firm which had the con-
tract for the labor of the convicts be-
came financially embarrassed, the man
ufacturing department has been conduct
ed by the state under the style of the
Rutland Marble Manufacturing company,
with NJ. r. Brown as manager and super
intendent. This is what the investigat-
ing committee say:
I'm view OF the criticisms which have
been made with reference thereto, and
OF the important relation which this de-
partment bears to the institution, we
caused a most thorough and comprehen-
sive examination to be made of all mat
ters pertaining to II by Mr.. F. S. Pratt.
| Of Bratueboro, the expert accountant
employed by us in our Investigations. His
| report is so complete and exhaustive that
we append the same hereto with our en-
dorsement OF the findings noted therein" ="
| Mr.. Pratt's report is made in great de-
tail and fills about four columns of news
paper space. The essential part Of It, in
which the voters OF Vermont are just now
most interested, is comprised in these
extracts:
During the entire period of state
management books OF account have
been kept similar to those ordinarily
used in the manufacturing business.
The books have been kept by the
double entry system and trial balances
taken regularly. Though the forms
varied somewhat the accounts have
been kept substantially in the same
way since 1890. The accounts
are in much better shape than might
have been expected under the circum-
stances. Their substantial correct
ness cannot be impunged. It is only
in matters OF detail that they are
open to criticism and the criticism
should be directed to the inefficient
system of auditing in vogue, rather
than to the officials connected with
the department.
business appears to have been excel
lent. A careful scrutiny OF the de-
tails of the business management for
fifteen years reveals nothing OF i'm
portance in the way OF extravaganza
or carelessness.
"The list prices have been adhered
to very strictly and no rebates or
allowances appear to have been made
except the cash discount and freight
allowances specified in the lists and
occasional allowances for defects
claimed in workmanship or material.
'T have no hesitation in reporting:
First, That the accounts have been
accurately and honestly kept.
Second. That the business has
been prudently and sfilfuliy man
aged.
"Third, That no unnecessary help
has been employed or excessive sal
Fourth, That there has been no
graft for anyone connected with the
department"
BY way of comment on the above W
quote with unqualified endorsement tn
following editorial comment from the 81
Adams Messenger:
Are these extracts from a white
washing report of an Investigation @
, the house Of correction by the state com
mittee? No. They are characteristic eX
tracts from the report of a careful audit
ing of the accounts OF the manufacturin
department of the house OF correction
about which Percival w. Clement ha
said so much on the stump and in hi
newspaper because il has bought marbl
of and sold marble to the Vermont Mar
BILE company of which Fletcher Proeto
is president.
> ''Was this report made by the stat
investigating committee? No. 1t wa
made to the committee by no less a ma
than B. s. Pratt, of Brattleboro, the yer
same expert accountant Mr. Clement en-
, gagged to examine the state auditor
} books and vouchers.
NOW win Mr.. Clement publicly ad
NIT that all the innuendo Of graft car
} ried by his structures In regard to thi
matter is utterly without foundation an
: will he caution all good citizens the
have heretofore heard him discuss tn
} subject to disabuse their minds OF an
! impression he may have left with thel
that the business had been dishonest
: done2
, 'eWin he drop this issue now2
, what do the voters that have hear
D Mr. Proctor explain on the stump HI
q part In the matter think about II?
I they were not convinced at the time
Mr. Proctor's frank and manly statemen
I do they believe Mr.. Clements truste
I, expert, Mr.. Pratt?"
He Is that Kind Of a Man.
Huntington Free Press.1