The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-02-13
P|E::|N.PROBE|R'|'S ! / ( ! ] ! ! |
complete.
| TIL. 4 .E|||||R WORK.
Faiirnlont Director
Tells Of Board
Good Work

d. ~~ 49, -.-E.ly .f.- .l
WHEELING. Feb. 13.-The taking
Of the evidence in the Moundsville pen
ltentiary investigation was completed
last evening. and the committee ad-
jturned the session until Tuesdoy
evening, when the attorneys will meet
the committee in Charleston and ar.
que the case. It was the intention to
hold a night session last evening. but
when the committee met after sup
,per, Attorneys Newman and Mccain
ic, for the defense, announced that
they had decided to close the examina'
ton Of witnesses and submit the evil
dence to the committee.
The committee set Tuesday evening
for argument as they desired to have
the record Of the case In their hands
complete and have an opportunity to
20 over the evidence before hearing
the attorneys. Stenographer Louis
Schrader stated that the transcript
would be finished some time Monday.
Delegate Moore, who preferred the
charges against the directors. asked
that the committee dlrct Clerk Legg
to prepare a statement of the State
clothing furnished the penitentiary for
conyicts during the last twelve years,
other than was purchased from the
West Virginia Clothing Company and
file the same with the committee.
Attorneys Neyman and Mccomic for
the defense. stated that they had no
objection to furnishing the. committee
with anything in the way OF informa.
ton that was desired. -.
The members OF the investigation
committee viii leave to-day for
Charleston, and be ready to complete
the Investigation next week. It. is
likely that they will arrive at their
decision In a short time after, the
case Is finished.
Directors on Stand. -u
The entire sessions Of Friday were
taken mp with the testimony OF direc.
tors and others for the defense, and
the charges that were made by Mr..
Moore and the witnesses summoned,
were~tully gone into and all Of the
transactions Of members OF the board
and prison officials, which were made
the subjects OF investigation, were
made the subjects Of Investigation,
were fully explained. A very strong
case was made by the directors OF the
Institution and they are confident that
they will be exonerated from the
charges which have been mad. The
testimony was clear. right to the point,
and the prison officials demonstrated
that they had nothing to conceal that
would throw any light on the investi-
cation. Not one convict was called to
the stand In contrast with the several
that the prosecution introduced during
It's part Of the trial.
Good Work OF Board.
A feature OF the morning session
was the testimony OF Director Harry
Shaw. OF Fairmont. who testified rs
to the condition financially Of the in.
stitutlon. He stated that the peni.
'tentiary was self.supporting, having
been so since 1901, when the present
bonrd took control. One appropriation
for $4,000 for fire extlnguishers was
made during that time, but has since
been paid back to the State.
The hoard Is now ready to turn back
$4,000 into the State treasury, which
will be done at the next meeting.
The New Jersey prison is run at a
cost to that State. but the West Vir.
glnia institution Is n revenue pro.
duccr, at the rate Of $4,000 the last
two years. He stated that J. A. Bloyd,
as treasurer. Is under 100000 bond.
Directors Hamilton, Bloyd and Mul.
len were OH the stand during the day
and were subjected to rigid cross.ex.
aminatlons by Mr.. Moore and his at
torneys. Messrs.' Simpson and Leach.
Their transactions as members OF the