Daily Los Angeles herald., 1883-06-02

Mt. a. ). Hoiiingswofth u the santa Ana agent |
OF the HERALD.
The Next Batch.
TO day Governor stoneman, assisted
by Superior Judges Wallace and Temple,
will begin an investigation of the prison
abuses under Republican regime which,
when probed, promise to prove as sa-
worry ~ as the Republican Harbor Com
mission scandals. II will be remem-
bered that attention was first called to
Ames's administration of San Quentin
by the San Jose Mercury journal that
is always independent until nm election
comes round and virulently Republican
In every actual canvass. Stimulated by |
Brother Owen, sort OF white-wnshing |
operation was gone through with prior
TO Gov. Stoneman's advent which salts |
lied every one that there was something |
very rotten in the Denmark presided
over by tho Warden of San Quentin |
But Il did more than that. II disclosed
the facts that the Prison Commissioners
themselves had been drawing emolu-
ments in defiance OF the law, and had
also purchased largely of the products
of convict labor, the first an indefensible
and the latter highly indecent perform
ance. 1t must be borne in mind that
this investigation was presided over by
Governor Perkins, and that the gentle
men inculpated were his personal and
political friends and his own official ap-
pointees. The product evolved from
such chemico- political combination was
quite naturally a very high order OF
whitewash. This was applied quite
thickly to the cuticles of the Commits
sioners and OF the Warden, but the
veneer proved so thin that they We're
obliged to justify themselves in the pub
lie estimation by alleging (l) that they
had returned the emoluments which had
been drawn in violation Of law; and (2)
that they had paid full value to the State
for such fabrications of convict labor as
had been bought by them. That a
sweeping and unsparing inquiry, CON
Quoted by persons who are not inter
ested in shielding the accused. will bring
about far more conclusive results than
the investigation inaueurated by the San
Jose Mercury cannot be doubted. Gov.
Stonemau has given violent presump
ton Of his intention to be fair in the
sort of civil court-martial now under
way by associatine with himself two such
eminent iurists as those named, That
thov will throw around the araiQned
officials all tina forms of imdicial protec-
ton which can be claimed by the most
innocent until they have been proved
ouiltv cannot he d;sputed by any reason
able man. Even admitting that Gov.
Stopemon wero enough of n partizan to
desire To oust these officials without re.
GARD 10 the eonities of the case. such a
dsnosition would be repressed by the
biph and unimpeached character of his
eoadiutors. II the allegations against
Ames ct al. are proved to be founded in
fact and right. il is GoyernopStoneman's
duty to remove item and to appoint
reputable men in their places. If they
shall be disproyed. we hope that no i'm
pulse of partizanship will lead to their
displacement There was something
very peremptory "A something that
looked like n desire to provide positions
for Democrats-in the removal of the
Republican Harbor Commissioners. For
4tunately for the Democratic party these
removals resulted in the discovery of
gigantic Republiean peculations which
satisfied the publie that the stem had not
been taken moment too soon. In the
light of the past we cannot doubt but that
the same result will follow upon a
searching INQUIRY into the State Prison
management of California. Enough will
probably be disclosed in this prelimina-
rv nroceedino To iustifv the removal of
Ames and at least some of the Commits.
sioners. and the full lioht of day will be
turned on the accounts which. If they
have been kent a Ia GRAY and Bunker,
will be found TO cover series of frauds,
living fold within fold. like the eoncen.
trio rings of M onion This is not q
charitable view 10 take of the matter.
but IL is one which is held substantially
by both Democrats and Republicans.
Napo,eon said that If Won scratched n
Russian Won would find /, Tartar 1t has
ton oftan nroved of late that If Won on
viooropslv ,or Rendition office. holder.
80 ,hiof -. lii. -.
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