Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-06-23

The following are the cnarges preferred by
the San Jose Mercury against the manage.
ment of the State Prison at San Quentin,
in which reference was made in an editorial
yesterday j
NECESSITY FOR A CHANGE.
All those who had hoped for reform in our
State Prison management had their hopes
suddenly blasted when j. p. Ames was ap-
pointed to the Wardenship of the prison at
San Quentin-at least all those who were at
all acquainted with the man and his past
history.
Rumors of mismanagement and incomre-
tency are coming to the ears of the people
daily, and would doubtless also reach the
ears of the Directors of the prison if they had
not cogent reasons for remaining dumb
reasons in the shape of costly cabinets, ele-
CANT harness. and gifts of various kinds, made
by prison labor aud forwarded to these gen.
tlemen as keepsakes and mementoes from the
man into whose hands they have placed this
important trust.
It is well known that as bid for the office
of Warden Mr.. Ames waived all constitutional
right or prerogative to the appointment of
subordinates, except fer the one position of
gate keeper. But he might as well have had
the appointments wholly in his own Lands;
for he has succeeded in his tyrannical and
overbearing conduct in making the position
of some of the best appoiatees of the Directors
simply unbearable and they have been COM
PEELED to resign, leaving him to fill their
places with men ef his own selection.
The charges that are openly made against
the Warden are manifold, not the least CT
which is that he is almost continually under
the influence Of liquor, at which times he is
tyrannical and abusive in the extreme. That
he is mercenary, Withholding from convicts
whose terms have expired portion of the
pittance allowed by the State, and also with
holding moneys taken from them upon their
entrance to the prison, TO which they are
Justly entitled upon their discharge. It is
also said that the gate money, that was
hitherto applied in ways to improve the
minds and morals Of the couvicts, Is, under
Ames' management, unaccounted for. His
private clerk, who is a convict, is allowed tie
privilege of leaving the prison az his pleasure,
and is not required to comply with the prison
rules in the matter Of uniform and that lie
has been known TO return from San Rafael
late at night in an intoxicated condition, and
without reproof from the Warden. Ia fact
it Is said thas he openly claims to know too
much Of Ames' management to make it pru-
dent for that gentleman to reproye him for
any delinquency. That the moral Instructor,
MIR. Cummings. WORTHY old gentleman OF
ahout 20 years, is censts ntly sul'j ected y the
w den to Il e ost ab We treatment and
threatened frequently With personal chastise-
ment. One excellent workman, IN whose
behalf the Wardsn had promised to intercede
for pardon, for fsi hful service and good
conduct, and whom he had also promiaed to
furnish chest OF tools upon his discharge,
wa not only deceived in the matter OF par
don, as be was net6e1 on work for the Direct
o,s, and was also sent adrift without his
tools Another convict, under his orders.
was kept for over sixteen months in the dark
dungeon, simply because he refused to woik
under a contractor who had cheated him.
Another convict, in delicate health, was con-
fined in q dungeon until he became eibber
ing maniac.
These are hut few of tie grievances we
have heard concerI ing cur prison manage
ment, and which, it is said, the Directors
would be able TO see probably but for the
scales over their eyes. The one charge of
habitual drunkenness, if true, laying aside all
the rest, ought TO cause the removal of this
man at once. We are informed that Gov
ernor Perkins has demonstrated with him in
this matter, Lut to no purpose. For the
| Wardeu's sake. as well as to set the public
mind at rest, full investigation into these
current rumols should be had. and Re may
| have the opportuI ity to vindicate his conduct
and character. The reports are of that posi-
| tive nature that they can readily be reached.
| There is nothing vague or indehcite about
| them. They should be stepped if they are
untrue.
| THE RECORD USIoy yesterday sent special re
porter to san Qlentin TO interview Warden Aules in
relation to the foregoing charges Tie following is
the report Of the interview, 81 ecialy teegraphed to
the RECORD UNION:
SAN FRANcIsco, Juue 22d.-The San jose
Mercury of June 21st contained an editorial
making charges against J. P. Ames. Warden
of the State Prison at San Quentin, which
are in brief as follows
The charges are contained in the above ar
ticle.-EDs. RECORD UNION
Your correspondent visited San Qaeutir
to-day for the purpose of making inquiry re
garding these charges. He first called upor
Warden Ames, and showed him the article
from the Mercury. The Warden, after read
ing it carefully, pronounced it
A MISERABLE, DAMSABLE LIE.
After this sweeping condemnation he de
scended to particulars, taking up the charges
ssriatim.
AS to the gifts to Directors, he said non'
had been made. Some articles OF furniture
and set of harness had been made for Ger
tain of the Directors. but had been paid fol
by them. In proof of this assertion th'
books OF the prison were produced and de
tailed accounts of the construction OF the ar
ticlss in question shown, duly charged to th'
Directors for whom made.
Regarding the second charge, it was tru'
to this extent When he was mentioned a
a candidate for Warden, it was alleged by hi
opponents that he wished to Ell the prison
with his friends. To prove that such was no
his desire, he expressed his willingness h
allow the Directors to make all the appoint
ments of subordinate officers, provided goot
men were appointed He would have onl,
good, competent men about him. and woulC
retain no others on due trial To this h
made an exception in favor of the gatekeeper
as that was the key to the position which h
wished to retain strictly within his ow,
control.
RESERVATIONS AND DIsMIssALs.
In contradiction of the statement that hi
tyrannical conduct had compelled the resigna
ton of the best sppointees of the Directors
the Warden cited the fact that during hi
term of Office but one officer Of the prisoi
had resigned-L. II. Cary, physician. Dr
Cary rendered his resignation June 1si
stating that he was going East. ]
was accepted and the vacancy filed
The Warden had no desire to make an
charges against any one at present, and di
not wish to build himself up by pulling Other