Smyrna times., 1907-06-26
PENNYPACKER
ON The STAND
Former Governor TeStifes in Harris
burg Capitol Scandal. \
HE TRIED TO PROTECT STATE

Governor Pennypacker appeared as
witness before the capitol investi-
eating commission, and for more than
than four hours was under examina-
tion. Twice his remarks were ap-
plauded by the spectators.
Mr.. Pennypacker declared that the
board of public grounds and buildings,
of which he was president during the
equipment of the capitol, had acted in
good faith. Entire confidence had
been invested in the ability, honesty
and integrity of Architect Huston he
stated, and John H. Sanderson had
been referred to them as the best
available man to furnish the building.
If the state has been fieeced by the
carrying out of the contracts, Mr.. Pen
nypacker thought that treason had
been committed, and that the guilty
parties should he punished.
"SandersOn was made to give the
board a sworn statement for every
thing that he supplied" was one of his
declarations. IF he cheated the state,
he was guilty o: perjury as we'll as of
fraud"
shrks Responsibility.
At the close of his examination, and
just before leaving the stand, Mr.. Pen
nypacker stated that it was not right
for the gOverno. of the state to be a
member of any board or commission,
putting him III the position of being
bound by the actions of the other
members of the body. Not mention
ing them by narne, this is taken as an
indication that the former governor
does not believe he should be held re-
sponsible for the actions of his col
leagues. on the board which awarded
the capitol contracts.
Not Sure tle Was Deceived.
Mr.. PennypaclIer went at length into
the details of awarding the various
contracts, and told how he mad done
everything to keep the cost of the
work as low as could be done and at
the same time get the best work and
materials. When he had finished
James Scarlet, counsel for the COM
mission, said, by his own testimony
the witness showed he had been de-
ceived by Joseph NJ. Huston, the archi
tect.
Il am not so sure" replied Mr.. Pen
nypacker I'VE would like to have had
sour capitol for less, but if we get good
work we ought to be satisfied to pay
what we did"
"Oh" interrupted Mr. Scarlet, but
did we get goo6 work?"
''If we didn't get good work in this
capitol I have been deceived, we all
have been deceived, and the state has
been betrayed. 1t is an especially
wicked thing. In my opinion it is a
kind of treason"
Quick as a fash Mr.. Scarlet replied:
but was it not your resolution that
opened the way for the very fraud you
denounce?"
Mr.. Pennypacker sat back in his
seat, as if some person had struck him
in the face. distressed expression
spread over his countenance, and,
shaking his head sadly, he said: q
do not know"
Mr.. Pennypacker then said:
Il would be Obliged to any gentle
man who will tell me what could. be
done that l did not do in attempting
to safeguard the interests of this
glorious commonwealth. Measure
ments were verified by men l appoint
ed to do that work, the contractors
were obliged to attach afidavits to
their bills, the approval of the archi
tect was required and the bills were
verified and checked up by the super.
intendent of the board.
Safeguards at Every Corner.
Il did all J. could to protect the
state. There we're safeguards at every
corner. The safeguards were placed
there by the board, of which l was a
member. 4
"In December, 1905, the auditor gen
eral came to me and said: Governor
we have paid on account of furnishing
bills amounting to between $4,000, ,OOC
and $4,000, OOO.'
u was surprised. because had the
figures Of the architect in my mind. 1
may be said, If you were surprised a
IL what would you do?' There are diff
ferent ways Of treating such a situa
tion."
Metallic Cases Puzzles Him.
Asked about the metallic case con
tract Mr.. Pennypacker said that wa
the most doubtful and uncertain prob
lem the board had to meet. Hustol
was selected to design this furnitur
because he had reported that the orig
inal plans did not call for furnitur
that was adapted to the building o
the strength of the architects stat,
ment he was selected to embellish tn
furniture, fo. which he collected
commission CT $4,000 from the stat,
Huston reported to the board, afte
consultation with bronze firms in Ne
York, that these embellishments woul
be furnished at cost, but for which I'll
state actually paid nearly $500, 900, {
many times its real value.
do you not know that there W:
absolutely no change in Huston's plal
for the metallic furniture, except q
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