Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-07-16
The STATE PRISON.
Ssv. snth Days Proceedings of the
Investigating Committee.
TESTIMONY OF SHERIFF kBANY.
Warden AraeS Explains the Statement of
the Sheriff.

: fsPKSssb By TxzzssA'H 10 rHs SRooRD uNioSI
SAN FRAScIseo, jay 15sh.-Ths Com,
mission reassembled 81 San Quentin thii
morning.
; sHERIFP MIA NY
Was sworn, and testified tbs on one occasion
} he visited san Quentin to an est prisoner
by the name of White ; telegn 'phed to the
; prison in advance TO ascertain n e time of the
Eprisoners discharge; arrived on be morning
tof said dischsDse arrested the risoner in
Che vicinity of the CoroHlisssry's flee; the
prisoner requested him to go up and see
,;fadge Ames, at the Wsrdens ho5lss: Judge
Ames, when the prisoner had been arr ssted,
made strong objections, and aeclared tAs, had
he known the prisoner would be arrested no
would have Cancelled his credits, so as TO re-
move him from the Jurisdiction OF the oEsca (;
hot v0.ds ensued Warden AI-es threats ma
to take the prisoner away by appealing to-
the CoSrt; witness took the prisoner to Sam
Francisco, and by boat 30 Bsnicia, to escape
the se-7Sce of summoas; in the afternoon
took the prisoner to Merced
THE wARDEz SWORN.
Judge Ames was next sworn. He testified
that the prisoner White was boy he be-
lieved il Ills reformation !; Sheriff Meany was
an old friend of the family when he found
| him in the house so early in the morning he
believed that it was an impeachment felt
offended ct the manner in which the arrest
had been raade was told by Sheriff Meany
that the original of the warrant azains. White
was lost. and that service was made by copy
of the warrant prior to this transaction had
made arrangements with Joha d. Spreokles.
to have the boy White taken to-ths Sandwich
Islands, and had secured employment for the
boy in the islands, and had arranged for his
passage thithes; the District Attorney of
Merced county had dismissed the indictment
against the boy. who subsequently went to
the Sandwich Islands and secured employ
ment. Judge Ames here read letters from
the boy, showing that shortly after he was
engaged in employment old couvicts from San
Quentin Prison began process of blaskmail
upon him. He had been driven out of the
islands by the persecution of the ex-convicts,
and as place of greater security from their
prosecutions had gone to Manila.
Judge Ames spoke very feeling'y on the
subject, and III reading the letters Of the boy
White, was strongly moved with emotion
BuTqgER's EVIDENCE
Robert Warden. butcher, testified Lad
a contract for furnishing meat for the prison
up to the 1st of this month; the successful
bidder at the beginning Of this month failed
TO execute the necessary bonds, whereupon
the Directors instructed him to proceed with
his contract for furnishing meat; had fur
nished what was called the first quality OF
meat, but not prime beef deried having
purchased beef cattle OF an inferior quality.
A thorough examination Of the manner in
which beef was furnished, and of its quality,
was entered into, resulting in a general de
nial of the charges heretofore made.
AN OFFICER ON THE STAND.
Captain McAlister next testified He had
seven years experience as an officer Of the
prison; was Captain of the Yard under Gov
ernors Downey and Irwin.
The general tenor OF witness testimony
vindicates the existing management of the
State Prison. His ideas were that the gen.
eral treatment was too lenient, as no thor
uugn prison ulsClpllIe was possible Without
the application Of severe punishment. Con-
victs were divided into two casses-the really
criminal and the class who by reason of ex-
ceptionsi instances of criminal action, were
convicts. Witness drew a wel-defuel dis
tinction between the two classes and claimed
that they should have separate treatment
did not think the present system the best shat
could be devised, but believed it 10 be the
best which was possible with the equipment
Of the prison the system as now existing
showed that different system would involve
the construction of different cells and work
shops had served five months as Captain of
the Yard under Warden Ames; believed
him to be competent and faithful had never
seen him under the Influence of liquor.
TESTIMONY FOR THE DEFENSE.
At this point Warden Ames entered rpon
the introduction of testimony for the defense.
Captain Edgar testified, generally contra
dieting the charges that had been made by
witnesses for the prosecution.
Other officers of the prison were called and
testified to like denial.
THE PRISON BOOKS.
The Commission suspended the testimony,
to make an examination of the manner in
which the accounts were kept.
Clerk Gilkyson was called by the Con nit
sion, and presented the books of the Com
missary, and much time was spent in examin-
ing the same.
During the afternoon Senator Sears at
tended the meeting of the Commission, and
took part in the inquiry and proceedings.
The Commission adjourned until next
Thursday