The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-01-22
SPECIAL to The Washington Herald.

SPECIAL 70 The Washington Herald
Charleston. u. Va, Jan. 2L-Speaking
TO q resolution introduced by him this
morning, demanding a legislative investi-
cation OF the State psnitentary. on which
ne secured immediate consideration. Del
egate E F Moore, OF EoundsviIle Mar
shall County. Republican. on the floor
Of the house this morning exploded a
bombshell BY charging that IN the con
duct OF the penitentiary accounts had
been smothered. the States money mis-
used, gross irregularities practiced, au-
thOrity usurped. and that those respon-
sible for the management OF the Mounds
vile institution had been guilty Of Grim
inal negligence.
In reciting his charges against those
responsible for the condition Of affairs
at Moundsville. the speaker confined him
self almost altogether to manuscript, fire.
Quently referring 10 tables and statistics.
Tables Motion for Inauguration.
As soon as he had concluded. Delegate
John NUgen1 OF KanaWha County said
that pending the report OF the commit
tee TO investigate State institutions he
would move 10 lay the resolution on the
table \ roll call was demanded, and
on this roll call the motion 10 lay on the
table prevailed by a vote OF - 10 q, the
Democrats voting almost solidIy against
the motion, and Hawley. Strother, and
Moore voting with the Democrats.
Those who opposed the motion were:
Asbury, Avis, Ball, Brosius, Cornell,
Dennis, Finley, Cooley, Coodno, Hall,
Hawley. Hays. Ice. OF Marion; Kearfoot.
Keister, Lee, Of Writ: Moore. Murphy.
Polling. Seibert. SmOOt, STROLLER, Syms.
Talbot, Teasarden, and Weir.
In beginning his remarks. Mr.. Moore
said:
L understand that Tire committee ap-
pointed jointly by both houses at the last
session 20 examine the condition Of the
West Virginia penitentiary. as well as
other State institutions. has once more
gone through the biennial farce and fled
its report Nothing Of any great cOnse-
Cuence has been found wrong by this
committee. OF AZ least the same Is not
so reported. and the conditions existing
IN said prison remain unchanged"
Committee a SHAM
Continuing. the speaker said that the
committee appointed jointly by both
houses 10 investigate any. charges against
the management Of the penitentiary is a
mere sham" and ony affords the MEM
bers a summer vacation at the expensa
OF the State. i
Charging that all the books Of the IN
stitution were not in the warden's Of
fee, Mr. Moore said the check book Is
IN the private Office Of the West vir-
GINA Clothing Company, OF which the
treasurer Of the penitenuary IS the pro I
prietOr- Referring 20 the report Of The I
treasurer table No u. the speaker. de- 4
clared that thousands Of dollars worth z
OF shop materials We're purchased from
Abraham Blaum, OF Chicago. and said.
Right here I want 20 remark If the
mask were pulled Of the firm Of Abra, 4
ham Blaun, IL might be the means of 4
disclosing the fact that a relation other
than buyer and seller exists between !
Abraham BlaUm. the West Virginia
Clothing Company. and the penitentiary."
Aims Shaft at Treasurer.
He also said that no oncar would
engage in furnishing supplies to an in
stitution over which he is guardian and
that the treasurer, John Bloyd, has +
ignored this principle.
In the purchase Of the prison farm the /
speaker charged that the State had bee,
heeced out Of $3.50, and went on 10 traca
the requirement OF the farm The sneaker
also charged that the money paid bv
convicts for milk had never beer ac-
counted for.
In trips 10 attend the prison congress
he charged that four persons were IN tbs
party who had no connection with the
institution and that SSg1 Is was too much
FOR such a trip.
The speaker further said that the . yer
cent reserve fund for cOnvicts had been
wiped out by the treasurer, authorizing
the use Of the convicts' reserve fund TO
purchase supplies from the West Vfr-
ginia Clothing Company.
Convict Sent to Dungeon TO Die, I
Not many months ago. the speaker
convict No. 1899 was consigned
10 a dungeon, Notwithstanding the fact
that he was IN debiIitated condition
and virtually left to die. Later he did
die"
Going a step further, Delegate Noorel
declared that the treasurer Of the board
furnishes the clothing TO the State and
national government as well. and sells
direct to the convicts in open defiance of
the law Concluding his remarks. he de-
clared the legislative knife Of correction :
should be driven 10 the core Of every /
questionable transaction. i
IN conversation with friends DELEGATE ;
Moore says that the United States Secret ]
Service is fully ccnversant with and ,
Of the alleged abuses at !
doundsville. 4