Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-08-17
NO EVIDENCE OF CRAFT
Report Of Commissioners on
House Of Correction
No Basis for Stories Of immortality
More 5usIness-LIke Methods are Advo-
eated-F. s. Pratt's Report.

WOTc ous'ness-GRe metnouS are AoNo-
eated-F. s. Pratt's Report.
Conditions generally favorable to the
house Of correction at Rutland were found
by the state investigating commission
appointed by Gov. Charles ]. Bell
under the action of the last legislature
according to their report to the governor,
which was made public last Saturday.
Charges OF graft and mismanagement
which had been made against the officers
OF the institution are not sustained by
the commission. which consisted OF N. G.
Williams, c. II. A. Stafford and H. F.
Brigham. Their report, which is long
goes into detail regarding the business
management and general conditions at
the house Of correction. and Incorporates
report made by +. S. Pratt OF Brattle-
boro, who was employed by the COM
mission as an expert accountant Rec
concentrations are made that more busi-
ness-like Methods be adopted, in certain
apartments; that the salaries OF some OF
the officials be Increased; that the ac-
commodation for prisoners be enlarged.
ana that change be made In the fee
system, which the report says "is In a
large measure responsible for the over
crowded condition OF the house of cor
rection." The commission finds no basis
Tor the charges OF immortality at the in
stitption. The report says in part:
We ind the quarters used for jail pur-
poses have been inadequate at times for
tn accommodation of the commitments
thereto during the past three or four
years We find the buildings in good con-
dition and we'll cared for internally and
externally.
We caused a most thorough examlna-
tion to be made Of all matters pertaining
TO the manufacturing department by F.
S. Pratt Of Brattleboro, expert account
ant. We append his report, with our
endorsement of his findings. We find
that the manager and bookkeeper of this
department have never given bonds, and
recommend as a matter OF business
prudence and precaution that they be re-
quired to furnish at the expense OF the
department bonds in some indemnity
company licensed to do business in this
state In such amounts as the directors
may require.
Mr. Pratt's report is then given. He
says; THE state auditors have never
held 1t to be part OF their duty to audit
tne accounts of the manufacturing de-
partment and the biennial reports TO the
legislature are the only information the
oficers OF the department have been re-
quired to furnish The accounts are in
much better shape than might have been
expected under the circumstances. Their
substantial correctness cannot be i'm
pugned Frequent and vigorous auditing
by some one not connected with the de-
partment would protect the state much
better than any number of inventories
taken by prison officials. The business
has been prudently and skilfully managed
There has been no graft for any one
connected with the department"
The commissioners state, with regard to
the marble business carried on by the
manufacturing department that "all
marble from whomsoever bought has been
purchased at regular STANDARD list prices
fuIfg No Arrff h.-
been shown in the purchase of supplies of
marble, or otherwise, to any company"
The commission finds the hospital, in
struction and food departments in excel
lent condition. The sanitation is good.
The quality of hose used for fire pro-
lection, the commissioners say. SIS not
what II should be-" and they recommend
that new hose be purchased at once.
Probably the most serious matter"
says the report "existing at the house
OF correction is the lack Of room in
which to confine prisoners at night This
affects the health and comfort of the
prisoners and makes 1t much more diff
cult to maintain discipline. The great
preponderance of testimony shows that.
as whole, the prisoners are kindly and
humanely treated. We have thoroughly
investigated the charges made concern
ing immoral conditions at the institution
and md that these accusations have not
been sustained"
The commission recommends that the
salary of the superintendent be increased
from $1,000 to a sum not exceeding $4,000
per year, as changed conditions have
greatly increased the care and RESPONSE
bilities Of this official" An increase in
the salaries Of the matron and the keepers
also is recommended.
With regard to the fee system the re-
port says I'VE are satisfied that many
arrests, convictions and commitments are
made which should not and would not be
made were 1t not for the abuse OF the fee