Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-10-04
TIE STAIR PRISON Adjustments

The Governor of this State hes expert.
-snced difficulty in finding Republicans
VINO sre willing TO serve upoa the Board OF
Prison Directors. In making an effort to
have portion of the Board composed OF
members of the political party that differs
IN political faith from himself, the Chief
Magistrate has simply followed the die
tstas Of the organic law, the intent of
which is to divorce, in some degree, at
least, the management Of the prisons from
the management of parties. It is said by
Democrats that III certain Republican quar-
tiers there has been direct effort made to
dissuade Republicans, even to the extent
of intimidation, from accepting an appoint
ment or the Board at the hands of Gov
ernor Stonaman. We are unwilling to
bslieve TIE assertion to have foundation.
But II Republicans are acting in that spirit
they are placing at the command of the
Democracy weapon that will assuredlY be
turned against them. The fact that Re-
publicans were removed from the Board by
Governor Skoneman cuts no figure in the
case All that needs TO De considered is
the fact that there are two vacan.
ciss which the Governor desires Re.
pubiicaus Co fill. For members of the
party 20 stand moodily aloof and refuse the
appoin sments, under the delusion that they
are thereby making political capital, would
be mistaken idea and bungling piece of
political diplomacy. We must assume
that the gentlemen who have refused to
serve thus far have done so for personal
reasons that are entirely sufficient, but it
is suggestive that one of these has felt
himself called upon to state in his letter of
deOlination that IL was not brought about
by fea7 OF political anger One Democratic
journal has already intimated that the
Board should be made up without further
delay. regardless Of Republicans. If snch
3 contamination is effected, it will be not
only violatiorrof She will of the eeople,
but the primal cause Of it will be charged
upon the Republican party.
Since the foregoing was written the news
IS at hand that an appointment on the
Board has been rendered tie w. c. Van
Fleet. Of this city. Mr.. Van Fleet is 3
orling Republican he has served this
county in the Legislature; he is member of
the Sacramento bar; 4 young man who,
If he brings to the discharge of his duties
as Prison Director the studious habits of
his private life, csn scarcely fail of
thorough information upon those topics
necessary to successful administration of
penal Institutions. Sacramento county has
one Of the prisons within her territory, and
IL is therefore eminently proper that enc
of the Directors should be a resident of
this section, located near TO the prison,
where It's administration may be easily
aad frequently scrutinized. If this new
appOintee, and whoever else among intelli.
gent Republicans may be selected as his
colleague, have the interests of both party
and State st heart, they will not, for light
cAuse, decline the honor rendered them,
sus WI accept and serve, even st come
psrsoc-. discomfort snd some inorosch-
mens upon private duties. The law as
sumes that such positions will be filed by
men who are Impressed with the truth
that the citizen owes something to the
State in which he resides, and should give
something OF MS time snd convenience in
positions Of honor sid trust when she calls
upon him TO serve without sslsry reward,
unless his private business absolutely pro-
hihits.