Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-06-20
STEWART ADDS
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engaged in any business enterprises to
the extent that he would make any
money off the labor of the convicts.
He said he had held court at the
prison and had talked to the convicts
and in nearly every instance found that
they wanted to get upon outside work.
He added that Architect MacCalman
took many green men and put them
at building work in which they became
trained to the degree that when they
were finally released they were able
to get employment and take care of
themselves without returning to Grim
inal practices. He said it was a part
of the bargain to the furnishing of milk
that Conley was permitted to use con-
yicts or the dairy ranch.
He related the details of the opera
ton by the state of the A. G.. NJ. ranch
during the war as a part Of the move
ment for the production of food, which
was done under instructions from the
prison board at the instance of DR..
Gardiner. one of the federal food ad-
illustrators.
Lack of Money Prevails
Governor Stewart said Conley had
always urged the board to take over
At toNs. uoSS dllU utTStS MS Ne NdDJ-
ed to get away from that feature of
the prison maintenance. but that the
board never had enough money to do
this.
When questioned as to the purchase
from Conley and McTague of pork for
the prison the witness said this was
done under the continuance Of a former
arrangement but that Conley had al
yTaUG triad "a vat thA S~ 49,
over the hogs and several times had
expressed the fear that he would be
criticized for selling such supplies to
the state. He said the swill was of
no value other than TO feed to the
hogs and that Conley was to get this
swil and convict labor in raising the
hogs with the understanding he would
sell the meat to the state at a reduced
price. The witness said that Conlev
paid the convicts at the hog ranch
part wages.
As to the furnishing Of supplies for
Conley's residence Governor Stewart
said Conley had been receiving $4,000
per year and his supplies ND to the
time the legislature fixed the salary
at the same amount but failed to men
ton the matter of supplies He said
the board learned a strict construction
of the law really meant q reduction
in his compensation and as he was not
anxious to continue as warden under
such an arrangement the board decided,
in consideration of the use Of his
horses and equipment, to allow him
his house supplies. He said no limita-
ton was placed upon the amount to
be consumed but he assumed it was
expected Conley should live in a man
ner fitting his position and station
in life.
Governor Stewart was questioned
briefly upon the matter of the continu-
ance of the various prison arrange
with Conley, his testimony being
to that of other members Of
the board. He explained that he had
appointed Conley as chairman Of the
board of highway commissioners be-
cause so many convicts were used
upon the highway and the two Offices
would thereby coordinate.
Says Conlsy Sanctioned
He testified that ell the official acts
IF Conley that had been testified by
him during the day had been sanctioned
and approved by the prison board as
as he knew. He added:
II always found Conley thoroughly
honest, perfectly reliable; wrapped up
n his work; he certainly had an in
and keen sympathy with those
lnfortupates under his charge. If he
erred he erred on the side of the pris-
and not upon the side of the
Charles I. Stewart. who has been