IN JOINT CONVENTION.
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR announced the authority for the convention of the two Houses, to choose a Director for the Southern Prison, and the order nominations.
Mr. Representative HAMILTON nominated Robert S. Heiskell.
Mr. Representative LAWLER nominated James Keigwin.
The vote resulted as follows
Mr Heiskell received................................73 votes
Mr Keigwin received........................48 votes.
Mr. Heiskell, having received a majority, was declared to be duly elected.
Mr. OSBORN asked for the reading of the following letter, for information of the Joint Convention, as matter pertinent to the interests of the Southern Prison.
CORYDON, IND., April 20, 1869.
Governor Baker, Indianapolis, Indiana:DEAR SIR : I have been informed by my friend Mr. Nixon, that certain parties at Indianapolis, in view of the fact that some of my friends have named me in connection with the position of Director of the Southern Prison, have stated that Colonel Merriweather, late Warden, in his testimony before the recent Legislative Committee, raised to investigate the management of that institution, swears that Governor Morton, with myself and other Republicans of the Second District, induced Mr. Donaldson, a former Director, to resign for a consideration; and that I and one Judge B. (who is meant I do not know,) raised $2,000 for Donaldson. I do not know whether Colonel Merriweather has made this statement or not, but whether made by him, or anybody else, on oath or otherwise, so far as it involves me, it is utterly false, and without the shadow of a foundation in truth. I do not remember certainly ever to have met Mr. Donalson, but think I did have a formal introduction to him at the Bates House in January, 1865. If so, the interview did not last over a minute, and was confined to the ordinary courtesies of such an occasion. I never communicated with him directly or indirectly on the subject of his resignation - never contributed one farthing myself, nor asked nor advised any one else to contribute a farthing, for any such purpose, and had no knowledge that money was paid him to secure his resignation. I was informed by a gentleman of Clarke county, a leading Republican, early in 1865, that it was probable that Donaldson would resign, and, in such a contingency, was asked to suggest some one who was honest and qualified as a suitable person to recommend for appointment as his successor. I suggested Samuel J. Wright, Esq., of this place, and my recollection is that I called on Governor Morton, and told him I had been informed that possibly Mr. Donaldson would resign, and if he should do so Mr. Wright's appointment, I believed, would be a good one. Other gentlemen, no doubt, did the same. I imagine this was about all that Governor Morton knew about Donaldson's intended resignation. Donalson did eventually resign, and Mr. Wright's friends again urged and secured his appointment to the vacant place. This was all the agency I had in this whole matter. I am sure I am in no wise ashamed of it, because I believe it is conceded Mr. Wright made an honest and efficient Director.
I trust your Excellency will pardon me for addressing you on a subject so purely personal. I suppose this testimony, if any such exists, has come, or will come, under your observation, and I am unwilling to rest for a moment under an imputation of corruption so utterly without foundation as this is. My purpose is to set myself right with your Excellency, whose good opinion, as well as that of all other honest men, I confess I covet.
Very respectfully, Your Obedient Servant, THOMAS C. SLAUGHTER
page: 103[View Page 103]The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR then adjourned the convention.
The SPEAKER resumed the Chair, and -
The House took a recess till 2 o'clock.
