Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-07-13
CONVICT DEssos's MIDNIGHT RIDES.
ESPECIAL BY rEtreR.ru TO THIS KncoRD-uNos.l

ESPECIAL BY rEtEeRsPH TO rHs RxcoRp-UsIos.l
SAN QUENTIN, STATE PRISON, July 18TH
The fourth regular sitting of the San Quentin
State Prison Investigation Commission
opened this morning at 1890. Present,
Commissioners Mills, Gibbs aid Watt.
The Commission being called to order Mr..
Mills took occasion to explain that what has
been stated regarding Mr.. Cummings asking
the Warden to allow discharged prisoners to
escape over the hills from rearrest, was not
intended as a rebuke to the witness Mr. Cum
mings, but was made merely to call attention
to the fact that such suggestion had been
made to the Warden of the Prison.
Mr.. Owen called in the official shorthand
reporter to read that portion of the evidence
by Mr.. Cummings.
LETTER FROM SHERIFF MEANY.
When read, Mr.. Owen stated that there
was an impression that the witness Cum
mings had testified falsely, and he had let
ter from Sheriff Meapy which he would like
to read.
Director Shell objected to any unsworn
statement being produced as evidence in this
case.
Warden Ames objected also to this letter
being read, on the ground that it was pro.
duced solely in vindication of witness, and
should not be allowed to enter as evidence in
the charges made against him. 1t was con-
trary to all rules governing Courts Of law.
Mr.. Gibbs-Tbis is not Court of law.
The Commission has been granted large pow
ers by the Governor of the State, and we do
not propose to confine ourselves to any limits
other than what were defined in the Govern
ors letter of instructions
After some considerable discussion, Mr.
Mills stated that the Commissioners had de.
cided Lot to allow the letter to be read The
Commission, before meeting, had learned di-
rectly from Sheriff Meany what he knew in
regard to the charges.
THE RECORDS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Mr.. Owen then requested that the evidence
of Mr.. Cummings in regard to what he testi
fed to of the proceedings of the Directors,
as from the evidence given, be accepted as
evidence that the records of the Board of Di-
rectors were kept loosely.
Director Shell objected to any such state
ment being made by Mr. Owen, that the
records of the Board have been kept loosely.
The Commission objected to any further
discussion of this matter. and decided that
the evidence of the witnesses in regular order
must go on.
THE MORAL INSTRUCTOR RECALLED.
The Moral Instructor was then recalled,
and testified: 1 DO not know whether the
minutes Of the Board Of Directors have been
kept properly or not Concerning the build
ing of house for me, l stated that Judge
Ames told me that they were going to build
me house. The Judge denies this, and /
would now like to recall some circumstances
to Mr.. Ames memory that he did tell me so.
Mr.. Mills-If you cannot prove that the
sum was voted by the Directors. further evi-
dence on this point is not now necessary
DIRECTOR NEFF TEsTIFIEs.
Director Nef was then sworn, and testified
that he was one of the Board of Directors.
Judge Ames did not state that he waived
any right of appointments of officers of this
prison. He signifed his willingness to con.
slider the appointment of such persons as the
Board might propose, but also stated that if
they proved inefficient he would discharge
them. He has appointed some that the
Board has suggested, and some he has not.
Know Of articles of furniture made here for
myself-book-case and aquarium. The book
case ordered, and paid rit. The aquarium
I did not order. The Warden sent it to me.
I told the Warden 1 did not wish to receive
anything from the prison as a present.
paid for it, and gave it away afterward to a
friend. Cannot recollect now how much I
paid for the aquarium. The books will show
that paid S24 for the book ease. The War
den told me he was making a set of harness
for Director Chapman and another for Di-
rector McNutt. 1 have heard the Warden
express dissatisfaction with Mr.. Cummings,
calling him troublesome old man. AS one
of the Directors, have always been satisfied
with Mr.. Ames' management of the prison.
| have never seen the Warden under the in
fluence of liquor. have received the articles
I have mentioned, but never received any
walnut tables. Ordered the bookcase in ad.
vance myself personally. ordered it in
this way Going through the shops 1 noticed
some of the men idle, and remarked on it to
the Warden, who said he had nothing for
them to do, and he asked me, Is there
nothing you want?" I replied that 1 was
going to have bookcase made, and if they
could make it in the prison as cheap as /
could get it in town, they might make it.
This was the way in which the bookcase was
ordered. The business of the Board is done
in Committee of the Whole, except ia some
special purchases cases-as, for instance, the
purchase Of the jute machinery.
Owens here stated that convict Hartwel
told him that Neff had received a book lease
table and aquarium, to the value of s2l5.
Neff-I never received the table. The
valne of the other articles is greatly exagger
ated don't remember any official action by
the Board regarding house for Cummings
think it was talked of informally by myself
Director Chapman and Ames. The business
of the Board is generally transacted in Com
mittee of the Whole. The purchase of the
juse machinery was intrusted to specia
committee of Everson, myself and Ames
Don't know of any irregularities in connec
tion with the prison; heard of some serious
charges last winter interviewed number
of officers of the prison whom I considered
trustworthy men and not particular friends
of the Warden found nothing in the charge.
To Ames-You always expressed anxiety
for full investigation, the sooner the better.
You endeavored, by quiet conversation with
Cary, to maintain harmony till I could inves.
tigate.
To Watt-There were a number of appl-
cants for the physicians position; knew
Cary slightly, but he did not depend on my
influence to obtain his position don't re.
member any official action of the Board on
his application. told Cary that Ames was
willing the Board should recommend officers
except the front gatekeeper, but never said
that he would not appoint any except on
their recommendation. Ames reserved the
right to remove the officers chosen by the
Roard and apDoint others His assurance