The Placer herald., 1858-03-06
The Governor in Possession of the State
Prison.

BY the first section of the Act to provide
for the temporary government Of the State
Prison, which was passed by the Legislature
February Goth, the Governor was authorized
and empowered, and it WAS made bis duty,
by and through such agent or agents as lie
might in his discretion appoint, to take i'm
mediate possession of the State Prison and
grounds, together with all the property of
the State, and TO assume the control and
management Of the convicts therein confined:
and also to continue the control AID posses
sion of the same until further provided bv
law Armed with this authority, the Cover
nor, accompanied by the Secretary of State,
and Lieutenant Governor, left this city on
Sunday last to attend to the duties of his
charge. Arriving in the city of San Fran
cisco, he proceeded to make arrangements
on Monday to visit San Quentin While
thus engaged he aSceraned that efforts were
set on foot by J. McCauy, former sub Lessee
of the State Prison, to have him enioined
thus endeavoring to defeat the will of the
Legislature. The Governor, regardless Of
these contemplated arrangements, at once
repaired with his suite, to San Quentin, and
requested the agent of McCauley, Mr.. Sims,
to vie d possession Of the keys. On his re-
tusing so to do the outer door of the Prison
was burst open, the keys Of the inner portals
found after short search and formal custo-
dy was had and obtained to the great crimi-
nal institution of the State In looking over
the appurtenances of the Prison, it was dis
covered that the seal was missing This was
demanded but the agent failed or refused to
produce it, when he was seized and the seal
taken from him. We understand that ten
minutes did not elapse from the time that
the Governors party landed on the island
before they were in full possession. Charles
Robinson, an old attache and guard of the
Prison, was placed in charge by the Cover
nor, and everything done with military
promptitude and dispatch. AT this point,
the sub Lessee made his appearance, and the
county officers-consisting of the County
Judge, Sheriff and Clerl-were in waiting,
as though by previous appointment, to per-
feet the documents which were to have been
prepared in San Francisco. We do not
learn, however, that any Injunction was serv-
ed The Governor, having completed his
duties, took leave of the institution. and,
with the other members Of his party, return
ed to the city yesterday morning.
We are not quite sure that the course of
the Governor was, in all respects strictly
compatible with the dictates of genuine Law
and Order; but, upon full consideration of
all the facts in the case, and in view of the
gross mismanagement Of this institution, and
the urgent necessity for speedy change we
are of opinion that the people of the State
will find no fault with the Governor for
having taken the responsibility. And we
have also heard it suggested that if he had
proceeded a step further, and administered a
cold bath in the waters of the bay to the
chief author Of the State Prison iniquities,
for the space of fifteen minutes, the good
people before alluded to would not have long
remained inconsolal le. Sacramento Union.