Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-03-09

did all could to keep out all employees who
were IN the habit of INDUCING in intoxicating
liquors. also did all l could to close out ss-
looms near San Quentin, but in this had the
opposition OF Director SoDntag.
The witness then, in answer to inquiry, de-
scribed the method in which monthly iuspec
tons of the prison and reports of the same
are made. He stafed that in April last. for
which month he was inspector at San Quentin,
ne made careful review of all transactions
and needs at thai prison, and prepared a writ
ten report. with such recommendations as he
deemed necessary and for the good of the man.
the arden for any suggestions he
might have 10 make to aid the eff
cheney of the institution. and in response
was surprised 10 receive from the Warden the
following elaborate arti;; e. which. witness said,
was evidently intended that he (LurrelD
should slgn as the Directors report for the
month mont ana which was then to find its way into
the newspapers as dress parade boom. y
Witness characterized the article as a sort of
Holy Willie's prayer in prose" BY request of
the committee witness read Il. as follows, en-
deriDS it with much oratorical effect, to the
great amusement of the large audience present:
SAN QUENTIN, April 90, 1855.
TRANSFORMATION IN ITS APPEARANCE.
CHANGES EFFscTED IN ITS MANAGEMENT.
INDUSTRIOUS AND CHEERFUL coNvIcTs.
DISCIPLINE STRICTLY ENFORCED, ETC.
Those famiia with the cold and cherries, not
80 SLY neglected, aspect t1dL san quentin IrlSOQ
formerly wore would be astonished 10 see the
vast and important Improvements that have
been effected in nearly every department con-
nected with the institution during the shoIt
period OF General McComb'S administration.
AS the visitor in driving up from Green Brae
station surmounts the low emjnence over
looking the prison grounds, the first object that
sttracis his attention is a handsome and sub
stantlal brick guard-house, fiffy-two feet high,
just completed in Gothic style OF architecture
that adds greatly TO its attractiveness, and
speaks volumes in praise OF the good taste
and judgment of its designer The position
it occupies on the sidehill commands n COM
plete view of the rear of the prison and its sur
roundings, including San Quentin bay, which
Will be effectively protected by Calling gun
soon 10 be placed in the upper story of the
structure.
Descending the hill, the road enters the
prison grounds aud passes through small clus-
and old rookeries that for years have occupied
choice portions Of the State land, free of rent,
and comprising quite a village, that was known
among the convlcts as san Quentin Tar Flat"
Ihere the signs OF activity among the convcts
first became conspicuous. Small gangs of men
neatly attired in the conventional stirred suits
are busy on every side removing buildings,
tearing down Distractions aud effeetine gen.
erdl clearance of the place. The necessity of
this proceeding is too obvious TO require com
ment, and il ce tainly seems strange that
former administrations should have permitted
a small colony of people, many of whom have
no connection whatever with the institu-
ton, to quietly reside right in the
center of the prison grounds, where
they were offered every facility for communities
ton or traticking with the convicts employed
outside the WALL; that is now, however,
eifectually stopped, and the removal of Tar
Fiat Will both close Il prolific source of con-
traband tracing aud enable the State 10 reclaim
large tract OF rich agricultural land that has
hitherto been mo0opolized by parties who had
not the slightest claim to IT,
After crossing Tar Flat the road continues
on I.G nj ~
about go yards and then turning off to the left
ascends small eminence to the foot of the
new guard house previously Il mentioned, where it
enters magnificent csuseway, now nearly
completed along the side hills, az an elevation
OF several hundred feet above the old road
Driving along this way, which is as level and
smooth as 2 bowling green. you are afforded a
splendid view of san Quentin bay and The rear
OF the prison, where, as in every other part OF
the premises, signs of activity and good man.
agement are conspicuous
The immense heap of decayed vegetable mat
ter, stable manure waste from Old tannery h r
ness-shop and other departments that has been
accommodating for years within a few yards OF
the wall, and waiting its odoriferous perfume
over the adjacent country, has been removed
and utilized 10 enrich the uncccupied portion
OF the brick and lumber yards, which are being
converted into vegetable gardens
AT the base of the wall surrounding the rear
and sides OF the prison trenches have been dug
aud filed with loan gathered principally from
the heaps of decayed rubbish, in which morn
ing glOries have been set, and are already be-
ginning TO creep up the sides of the wall the
somDer and gloomy aspect of which VIII soon
be changed TO scene of light and beauty
Emerging from the new road az its upper end
we arrive at the northeast corner of the prison.
near the old commssary building where the
general appearance of the place is SO changed
as to be scarcely recognizable
The narrow passage between the wall and
the rock hill opposite has been widened suffi-
GENTLY to admit of teams passing each other
without difficulty.
brick parapet. surmounted by q neat and
substantial palisade has been Constructed be-
tween the corner OF the wall and the old com
mlssary building, thus preventing teams or
horsemeh turning off abruptly to the right, and
passing close to the front wall, where the ROCKY
soil has by the liberal use of manure, been
brought into high state OF cultivation and is
now tastefully laid out for flower garden.
Near the Warden's residence-which is sitn-
ated on the hill overlooking the prison--a hand
some new house is nearly completed. It is built
III the modern archit -ctural style. with front
age OF 42x40 feet, aud 8 wing 1Sx2i feet, the
whole building to contain nine spacious rooms
10 addition TO bath house and attic. It will be
valuable addition to the Stare pr iperty
Extending along the old county rosa-which
as the majority of your readers will doubtless
remember, leads through the prison grounds
oarbed-wire fence has been erected, thus pre-
venting stock from adjacent ranches from stray
ing on State land, which is now for the nj 5;
part covered with luxuriant crops OF grasses
and cereals
wide and handsome carriage road is being
constructed around the hill, on which the
WsTden's and Chaplain's II sidences stand
wnile the steps. sidewalks ana every loition OF
the premises that require it is being rapidly re-
moved or repaired.
On the salt reservoir that is situated on the
hill south OF the prison, and nsed to supply the
prisoners baths. substantial framework 81
feet high has been erected for an electric light
ana taken in connection with the hight of the
hill On which it is situated, has an elevation of
about 200 feet above the sea level and will
prove q valuable beacon for vessels sailing in
the northern part of the bay during the night
hou,s
Continuing on 10 an inspection of the stables.
The same good management and supervision is
apparent. The yards and buildings are neat
and clean, and harness, wagons, carts and
farming implements all in g thorough state of
repair. the horses fat and showing evidence of
care. Even poor little = Two-Fifty," the cayuse
pony purchased by the State, may be seen
harnessed TO tip-cart and contentedly jogging
along sleek and happy as a successful oihce-
seeker. Old saddle-horses that were formerly
considered useless and turned out to rustic for
their own living on the hillsides have now
been broken to harness and set at light work OF
some kind.
Returning to the front of the prison we pass
through the massive iron gates and find our
selves within the walls and standing in beam
tiful fowergar len, surrounded ON two sides by
the hospital building, library and Captains
offices, and on the other by a massive wall sep
arating the prison from the outer world and a
high palisade recently erected between the cell
yard and garden.
Everything about the place is scrupulousIy
clean, and were 1t not tor the constant hum of
busy machinery and workmen in adjacent
shops, one could almost imagine himself within
the walls OF q secure aud well-kept monastery
or fortress.
Near the closets in the cell-yard large exca-
walton IS being made tor a bath, where the pris-
oners viii soon be enabled TO enjoy the delights
of free bathing within few yards of their
sleeping apartments
Leaving the cell yard, a short walk through
the secure chute used in conveying the night
SHIFT 10 and from their work. takes us to a strong
iron door that opens into the jute MILL upon
entering which the eye and ear are both star
tied by the deafeniug clatter aud rapid motion
OF the long array of intricate machinery:
carding machines, looms and spindles. all NOV.
ing Mt once, with regularity and precision
that at first sight has bewildering effect on the
senses On every side willing hands are busy.
and exhibiting degree of int rest in the work
that would lead stranger TO imagine they
were shareholders in the establishments and
pecuniarily interested in the output, instead of
prisoners working undsr the direction OF a
skilled and energetic master.
Passing through the jute mill, we emerge from
II at the front door, and again enter the prison
yard by meas of the lower gates the inner one
of which opens on wide passage surrounded
by massive walls. II Is by this way that the
day shift in the jute mill and those convicts
who are employed on the outer works pass to
and from the ward