Sacramento daily record-union., 1881-07-08

SAN QUENTIN STATE Prison, July 7th.-
| The second regular meeting, the first held
| here, of the Commissioners appointed by
| Governor Perkins to inquire into the charges
| made against Warden Anes, of the San
| Quentin State Prison, took place this morn
ing in the clerks office within the prison
yard. Present-Commission Mills, Gibbs
| and Watt. Prison Directors Everson and
Shell were in attendance All the San Fran.
| cisco papers vera represented by reporters,
who, with the witnesses and officers of the
prison and Commissioners, comprised a con-
siderable company.
THE GOVERNORS LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS.
Following ia copy of the letter of inssruc-
tions sent by the Governor to the Commits
sioners:
respectfully ask your consideration to the
following causes of investigation, in addition
to those involved in the conduct of the Board
and Warden:
First-Is the appointment of the subordi-
nate officers and employees of the prison made
by reason of fitness for their position, or does
political or personal influence secure it with
| out regard to qualifications
SecoDd-Consider the previous manage
ment of the prison under the old system, with
view OF its comparison with the present
By this | mean as to the cost of supporting
the prisoners, their employment, sanitary
condition, moral improvement, and the gem
eral discipline ard economy that prevail in
the several departments of the prison.
Thicd-About forty prisoners per month
are discharged from the prison to mingle
in the community What is their influence
upon society Do the statistics of the prison
show that its influence has been of refornla-
tory nature, and does it compare fayorably
with other penal institutions in sister States I?
Four.h-Has the pardoning power been
judiciously exercised? What percentage, il
any, of those pardoned or ccmmused have
been convicted and returned to prison
Fifth-Has the purchase of machinery and
material by the Board of Directors, with O
view of making the prison self-sustaining,
been wise expenditure, and has the appro-
priation for this purpose been honorably and
iudiciously expended? In the examination
of these subjects You will please bear in mind
that after the 15t of January next all convict
labor by contrs c. ceases.
further desire and particularly request Of
you that you will not confine your investiga-
tions to those mentioned subjects alone, but
that in yonr judgment and wisdom you will
make thorough and plenary examination of
any and all matters relating to the manage
ment of the prison, the administration of the
Directors and the conduct of its officials and
further, that you will suggest such opinions
as you may deem of advantage to the inter
est of the prison and benefit of the taxpayers.
CALLED TO ORDER.
The Commission was called to order by
Chairman Mills at IL o'clock.
A Mr.. Donovan, of San Francisco-the
Commission could not recall his Christian
name-was appointed Sergean.-at-Arms of
the Commission
Mr.. Owens. of the San Jose Mercury then
called two witnesses, but both were absent.
Chairman Mills then gave instructions to
the Secretary toissue subpenas for the i'm
mediate and regular Attendance of the ab-
sent witnesses, and have them served by the
Sergeant-at Arms.
Mr.. Owens said ne would like subpoena
issued for the attendance CT John Caswel,
known under the scubriquet OF Jack, the
Boat-builder."
The Secretary was instructed to issue the
necessary subpoena for the witness attendance.
A subpoena was also ordered issued for the
attendance on Monday next of p J. Spapter
as a witness.
While waiting for the witnesses cited By
Mr.. Owens to appear. Commissioner Mills
ordered the minutes of yesterdays proceed
ings read.
The Secretary replied that he had not had
time to write them all up, and that some cor
rectiors had to be made.
After some discussion, the Secretary was
requested to retire and complete the writing
of them up, so that they.could be read in full
in proper order.
THE FIRST WITNESS.
James Sharp, the first witness, was called
and sworn, and testified as follows: Am
acting in the capacity OF guard.
At this point Chairman Mills repeated the
assurance that whatever his evidence would
be- it would in no ssnse initiate against him
il his position that the Commission assured
him of this, as did Warden Ames.
The witness continued: Have nothing to
Go with the prison gates or gatekeeper !;
know the convict benson; don't know of
his entering at unusual hours; have never
seen Warden Ames under the influence of
liquor know that the yacht was built here
at the prison do not know If it was built Of
materials belonging to the State the yacht
is in charge of convict he sleeps on beard
OF it; he is in prison garb the yacht is not
used for State purposes; it is used by the
officers of the prison for their pleasure; have
nothing to do with the prison shops.
To Commissioner Gibbs-Don't think the
Warden could be under the influence Of
liquor without my noticing it if had seen
him; have seen him come from the San
Francisco ferryboat; never noticed him at
such times 20 be under the influence of liquor !;
I know the convict in charge of the yacht /;
don't know when his time expires; don't
know his name; have been here sixteen
months.
To Warden Ames-Have never had any
conversation with any one respecting this in
vestigation; did not know that it was the in.
tention to carry it to this extent.
Mr.. Owens remarked that be was not
aware of there being any question of the wit
ness being intimidated
To Mr.. Mills-Came here on the 18th or
18th Of March came from Nortonville.
Contra Costa county; was Constable, and
sometimes discharged the duties of Deputy
Sheriff Of the county; was nominated for
Sheriff by the regular Republican Conven-
tion; after my defeat I got Mr.. Sears to use
his influence for me to obtain my present
position have known Mr.. Sears since he
was boy.
To Warden Ames-Called on you in San
francisco don't remember your giving any
reason why should not be appointed you
asked me if was married yes, l recollect
now that you told me that the accommoda-
tions for married men here were limited !;
| recollect your telling me afterwards here, in
a humorous way, that perhaps I could recol-
| lect nox what Won meant in saving the &C.