Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-07-14
SAN QUENTIN.
Icosrrsurp FROM FIRST pAeE.l

IDblsnce.
MR. CHAPMAN RECALLED.
Nr. Chapman IVES here recalled and testi-
fed that he had been opposed to the election
OF Warden Ames When canvass of the
Board revealed the fact that Ames had
he majority of votes. the witness, doubling
Ames' efficiency or competency fer tbs posi-
tiou. asked him if he would be willing to al
low Directors to name other officers of the
prison. 4mes replied that with exception of
the front-gate keeper, which he considered
the key to the position, he would be happy
to Dc so, always reserviDg to himself the
right to appoint other men in case those
chosen by the Board were not suitable. This
arrangement was satisfactory, and Mr.. Ames
was elected Warden.
DIR. WILLIAM II. MNUTT,
A Prison Director. was called by the Com
mission. He testified that it had been re-
ported on the street that Ames had promised
places in the prison in the event of his cleo
ton. Hearing of this, tho Board sent for
Ames, and asked him il he had promised any
position. He said 10. lie was then asked
if be were willing to select at the advice of
the Board. lie said he preferred to consult
with tie Board in making appointments for
subordinate offices, but in matters pertaining
to the interest of the prison he wished to re-
serve the final decision. Witness had never
liquor. During the first years of Ames' ad.
ministration witness, doubling his efficiency,
had called at the prison often unexpectedly.
He had reached the conclusion that Ames was
entirely qualified to fill the position. and dur
ing the last three or four months witness had
visited the prison less frequently. He
thought he would have known it if Ames had
been drinking man. He considered himself
a good Judge; he visited that kind of people
every day and couldn't be deceived, although
they often tried to deceive him. Had an in
strUment case made by prison labor. This
case was put down in the statement of Hart
well as being worth Sl50. Witness said he
would like to get S2o for it.
Question-You paid what you thought it
was worth:
Answer-"I raid little more, 1 think !;
I don't want any more prison labor for my
SELF He thought the sanitary condition of
the prison was very fair. Doctor Cary had
spoken TO him about hot baths, and another
kitchen for the hospital, but he had deemed
neither Of these suggestions practicable. In
reference to the jute manufactory, he said he
thought it would be profitable to the State !;
the Board had studied the subject thoroughly
before deciding to inaugurate the enterprise,
and had concluded TO manufacture jute, bear
lug in mind that it would not interfere With
free labor. The machinery had been pur.
chased ct Leeds, England; the boiler and en-.
gines were being manufactured in San Fran
cisco.
Mr. CHAPMAN AGAIN.
air. Chapman was recalled. and testified
that he had ordered g cabinet made at the
prison, for which he had paid in full. He
thought the price was $50. His wife had
received an aquarium frem Mira. Ames,
for which he had not paid. although he should
have preferred to do so. Commissioner Mills
here read statement taken from the books
of the Assessor of Marin county. which
showed that the tract of land. part of which
constituted ffty-two acres purchased by the
Board for $500 an acre. had been assessed in
1878 for SIS an acre.
Witness stated that the land could not be
bought for less. w. Z. Coleman had refused
to take less than $500 per acre for land of
similar character. Speaking of the jute fac
tory he said that the plant was 800, 900 !;
$40, 600 worth of material had been bought
in, and the contract for building boilers and
engines had been awarded to Prescott, Scott
& Co., Of San Francisco. The Board had
Advertised for proposals. and bad re-
ceived specifications of different engines
manufactured by different fourdries,
with the prices therefor. Those msn-
ufac,uFed by Prescott. Scott & Co.. had
been mos. satisfactory, and although the
price was not lower than tfat of other
fopudrymen, the Beard had concluded that
from this foundry it would recsivs more value
for the money than from any other, and in
consequence had awarded the contract to
that frm without advertising for bids. The
Board had considered the subject of utilizing
the water power at the Folsom prison for the
jute iastory, but in consequence of defect
in the contract with the Natoma Water Com
pany, had decided 60 employ steam as mo-
tive power at San Quentin. They calculated
70 use SEQ convicss in the factory, and in
timated that they could manufacture
bags for FIVE and half cents apiece.
This was exclusive of labor. which would be
free. Bags imported from India cost, in
Guiding duty aad freight, 81 cents apiece.
The Board had taken the competition of In
dia into nsiderstion before deciding to en-
baEk in the enterprise. During The testimony
Of Mr.. Chapman Icing discussion took
place between members Of the Board and
the Prison Directors present, relative
to the growth Of fax, the manufacture Of
sacks in !udia and Dundee, the demand for
bags IL the California market, the influence
exercised on prices Of sacks by shipments Of
wheat in bulk, and the effect Of contem-
plated British laws on the jute manufactured.
The Prison Directors assured the Commission
that all these matters had been duly weighed
by them before proceeding with the project.
The Commission adjourned at $50 P. NJ.
to meet at San Quentin tomorrow morning
on the arrival of the San Francisco boat.