Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1866-01-18
srArESEpRIsoN,

From the report OF the State Prison
Warden, Lieut.. Governor Crossmhn, and
from outside but well authenticated re-
ports, i. is evident that the Penitentiary is
in a bad condition. The building is mad
eouatea and not well adapted in construc-
ton for the purpose to which it has been
devoted. The walls of the original build
ing are set with u kind Of alkali paste,
instead Of mortar or cement. We are in
formed that on the occasion Of a recent
visit to the institution. Senator Singer
land, Of the Committee on State Prison
Affairs, with his fingers picked out all the
plaster-stuf that was laid between two of
the wall stones. 1t is known that the
recent escape was effected by the digging
out of the plaster or dry mud-batter that
was between some Of the wall blocks, with
a case knife; and removing the stones
then very easily by pushing them out.
The discipline Of the prison is declared
by many parties, who claim openly to
have a fair idea of the conduc, of affairs,
to be exceedingly defective. The escape"
referred to is said to have been effected in
this manner a separate, small dining
table, specially dedicated to the serving Of
repasts for the civilized Indians who have
found their way intc-the Penitentiary, was
set in one corner and the escapers so ar
ranged a gunny-sack as a spread over this
table as TO conceal a party underneath.
On Christmas day, all the prisoners were
allowed the liberty Of the hall, and while
they were doing convivial honor to the
Christian occasion, the digging out work
was executed in the corner and under the
cover described. Considering the circum-
stances of the case, it is remarkable that
the whole Christmas party did not escape
1t is reported by the Warden that three
escapes are at large; though Col. Curry
and others declare they will make oath to
the absence OF at least five.
The manner in which other escapes
have been effected is illustrative Of a laxity
Of rule that there prevails, in utter deroga-
ton of proper order and security. A very
large proportion OF the prisoners are said
to be engaged in domestic service for the
Warden - cooks, barber, chambermen,
house porters and GRAND men are titles
for a third Of the prisoners, at least. The
old California plan of "trustyism seems
to prevail /: rendered at Carson even more
obnoxious to discipline than it was at San
Quentin, from the familiar household char
acter Of the license afforded the felons.
Men have run away on being sent to catch
a rabbit on being sent a distance after
eggs;-,hese being expected to return
when the rabbit is caught and the partic-
ular eggs sent for are Matched!
It is asserted that at one time last sea-
son the Warden placed a prisoner in
actual command of the yard, and was
only induced to retract this order on
notice from the guards that il such was to
remain the ~captaincy, new watchmen mus,
be found in their places.
The guards are moi allowed TO punish
the prisoners when they refuse to obey d.
rections, as the women Of the Wardens'
household protest, and declare that it shall
not be done. II is unpleasant to publicly
state these facts: but they should not be
withheld from the knowledge Of the peo-
pie, if concealment is TO permit matters to
20 on in such style OF procedure. We
presume that the State Prison Committee
of the Senate or Assembly will not fail to
take the testimony establishing these facts,
which is abundant in Carson City, and to
be obtained at no expense to the State in
sending for persons and papers. We
know that our vigilant Legislators will not
be prevented by any pittying or good fell
lowship feeling from investigating the
State Prison affairs thoroughly. we be-
lieve that no hasty, certainly not white
washing report, will proceed from either
House. The fact that the Warden is
President Of the Senate should take no
whit from the closeness of examination
and freedom Of statement expected under
the circumstances.
VIVA, we have written is based upon
information from responsible parties and
we refrain. from detailing numerous facts
in the premises which accumulate evidence
to the point that there is the greatest ne
cessi,y existing for a careful and complete
investigation Of State Prison affairs, and a
candid report thereon,