Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-07-07

| SAN Francisco. July 6th.-The COMMITTEES
appointed by the Governor to investigat,
State Prison matters met at the Office of th,
Board of State Prison Directors this morn
ing. Present-Alills. Gibbs and Watt. i
a. Girvin was appointed shorthand reporter
The official letter Of appointment and instruc
| ton from the Governor was read, authoriz
ing the committee to send for persons ant
papers. j. J. Owen appeared to give iufor
nation upon which the published charges
were made j. P. Ames, Warden of the
prison, acted for himself Objections to tht
accusations, on the ground that they were
not made upon Dir. Owens own knowledge
nesses, with a summary of what the prosecu
ton expects 10 prove by them, were filed
The list Of articles presented by the Warder
to the Directors was offered. Objected TO by
the Warden, but overruled, and the list was
fled. After long discussion, the Secretary
was instructed to withhold the list from pub
lie inspection. Witnesses were summoned tc
appear this afternoon TO testify. The Board
will continue the investigation at San Quen-
tin tomorrow. The sessions Of TIE Board
viii be from 10 to each day. Il will adj
icurn from Friday to Monday.
SECOND DISPATCHl
SAN Francesca. July 6ih.-The CON nit
lee conducting theinvestigationin into the prison
affairs at San Quentin and the official conduct
of officers connected Herewith, reassembled
at o'clock to-day, with William II. Mills as
Chairman.
The Chair announced the appointment Of
E. A. Girvin as shorthand reporter of the
committee.
Mr. Owens stated that witnesses Stewart,
were present.
A Notary Public administered the oath to
the witnesses and shorthand reporter.
THE FIRST WITNESS.
Mr.. Stewart was the first witness called,
testifying that on two occasions since Mr..
Anes held the Office of Warden he had seen
the Warden himself under the influence Of
liquor. On the first occasion he was SO much
intoxicated as to stagger. Warden Ames
had been to San Francisco, and was return
ing home on the evening boat. He was so
much under the influence of liquor as to be
unable to get into carriage without exhibit
ing his intoxicated condition. On the second
occasion witness had occasion to deliver tel
egraphic message to him at his office. He
smelled liquor on his breath, and judged by
his appearance that lie was then under its
influence. The appearances referred to were
flushed face and wateiy eyes.
A DISCRIMINATION elected nothing new
on this head, except that witness could not
name any other person who saw Warden
Ames intoxicated in Che first instance men,
toned He admitted that there were 200 OF
800 people on the wharf. but could not name
any one. No one had ever mentioned to him
that they had observed the intoxica.ion Of
the Warden at the time mentioned in his
testimony. He testified further that on one
occasion, as agent of the railroad company,
he had handled beef for use at the prison
shipped from San Francisco that the beeI
was of poor quality, and part OF it was 81
putrid az to be offensive 10 the SMELL Former
administrations had always sent such teet
back, and as station-agent of the railroad
company he had handled the returned freight.
In this case the beef was not returned. He
stated that a prisoner named Danson, en-,
ployed as private accountant or Secretary tc
the Warden, had to his knowledge on certain
occasions been permitted to go to San Rafael
in citizens dress. OF his own knowledge he
had seen him start to San Rafael driving q
buggy.
In anawer to questions if he knew Of the
building of yacht for Commissary Berry
at the prison, he said Berry controlled
and claimed to own che yacht. It was In
charge of prisoner, who was allowed to
sleep in the yacht over night. The prisone,
was in citizens dress. The yacht was utu-
ally anchored outside Of the prison grounds,
about 600 yards from shore. On one occasion
the Office Of the railroad at San Quentin was
robbed. a prisoner had been seen on the
wharf few moments before, and witness
had reason TO suspect him of tie robbery,
He went to TIE prison, and was told By The
gate-keeper that be did not know whether q
prisoner was cut or not, He made second
! visit to the prison, hen he heard that e pris
oner had been found and brought in that
upon his person $50 in money was found
The money had been taken from him. Wit.
ness asked TO look at the money, but was told
that Is had already been mixed with Other
money, and could not be Identified. He did
however, identify one 50 50 piece as coir
which had been taken from drawer in Iii
Office. The burglar had entered during hi:
temporary absence, aud broke open The
| drawer with a chisel.
a cross. examination elected the fact Il 8
It hos been customary, short time prior t.
the expiration of term of penal seryitude
to allow prisoners to leave the prison ir tx
| dayti in search of work. Witness stated
that the prisoner who had committed tn,
burglary had but a few days remaining tt
serve, and that he was out Of prison OF leave
/ Oh dD5SACc tu rSafSu iAchts ~
examination Of this witness occupied neaIl,
the entire afternoon. The foregoing are tn,
salient points elected.
MORAL INSTRUCTOR CUMMINGS
| Was the next witness called. He testified S.
to the charge of intoxication made agaiDs
tie Warden; had seen the Warden under Cd,
influence of liquor many times; judged hin
to be under the influence of liquor by hi
general appearance and by the smell o
liquor upon his breath; seldom converset
with him without being able to smell liquo
upon his breath had smelt liquor upon hi
breath many times in conversation.
Witness declined TO give further testimon,
until after he had consulted memorada whicl
he kept of the relations between him an,
Ames.
He was then examined by the Commits
| sioners concerning the nature of the docu
ments referred TO.
Witness said they contained a complete &C
count of the difficulties which had arisen
preserving the dates.
Question-What was your object in keer
80 tla,nS