The Mena weekly star., 1916-04-20
GOVERNOR MAKES
 PUBLIC CHARGES
Mismanagement. Ineompetency and lHattention to Duty Basis of Re- moval of Pen Board Members
 Hearing Has Begun.

Little Rock, April iS.-In a public hearing started Monday afternoon in the reception room of the governors office, Governor Hays made charges of mismanagement, incompetency and inattention to duty against J. 4. Bradsher and J. Y. Ferguson, penitentiary commissioners. MT Ferguson was also charged with ov- erindulgence in intoxicating liquors.
 Demurring to the charges and the jt;i jurisdiction ;iisscdiieettiien of the governor. Chas. A. Walls of Lonoke, counsel for the commissioners, charged that Gov ernor Hays is actuated solely by political reasons; that he had openly stated that he would "get even with them for supporting Dr. c. H.. Brough for governor, if he had to pardon every convict in the peni- tentiary.'
 The governor made no formal re- ply to the somewhat caustic ar raignment but, upon the suggestion of Robert L. Rogers, attorney for the state, he directed that the pro- test as presented by the commis- sioners, be not spread upon the records. Mir. Rogers said that it was written purely for publication, anyway, "and let them make the most of it." The commissioners al so demurred to the jurisdiction of the governor, but Attorney Rogers contended that under the law the governor is made sole judge of cause for the removal of members of the commission.
 The formal charges, delivered to the commissioners at i:55 D. m. on Monday. are, in effect, as follows:
 Failure to devote entire time and attention to the discharge of their duties.
 Wilful neglect of duty in absent ing themselves from the state farm at Gummins.
 Permitting, knowingly. immoral conduct among the conviets by al lowing negro women to stay on the farm days at a time and mix and mingle with them.
 Brutal treatment of convicts by whipping and other means of ex- cessive punishment
 Failure to furnish conyicts with soap and towels after the governor had personally requested them to do so in 1913; also forcing them to sleep in the same clothing in which they had worked all day.
 Gross mismanagement of the in stitution's financial affairs, in that when they assumed charge all it's debts were paid. and there was cred 1t of Sl9,653.79 in the state treasury: the present debt, after cotton that will bring about Si50,000 has been sold, is approximately Si50,000, with no funds for running the next nine months, the monthly cost being about Si2.000; this does not include the cost of the Tucker farm in Jef- ferson county, Si52, 365 State Treas urer McDaniels testified that the present penitentiary balance is Si.35.
 From the way this institution has created a tremendous indebtedness. !" said the governor. which has in- creased from year to year, having cash in the treasury at the time of your having assumed charge, it is patent that inefllicency and neglect of duty are largely responsible for this condition, and if the conditions continue much longer the peniten- tiary will of itself bankrupt the state government"
 Governor Hays said he would be glad to make any statement per- taining to his knowledge of the peni- tentiary affairs.
 Among the first witnesses exam ined were Dr. J. D. Niyens. from whom the Tucker farm was bought: Capt. John T. Burkett, the third commissioner, who testified that he was secretary of the board and had charge of the walls; and Cullen Me Way. recently pardoned by the eov- ernor from serving a term for mur- der, who testified to gambling and immortality permitted at the farm. and the brutal whipping of con- victs. three of whom died, the whip ping having been in the presence of Mir. Bradsher. The hearing was not concluded Monday.