Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-03-09
Comb and his deputy are proving themselves
competent and successful nenoloyisfs

Comb and his deputy are proving themselves
competent and successful penoiogists.
Continuing his testimony, witness said there
was never an agreement between three o. the
members and the Governor that they would
sustain the Governors policy or resign-not to
the extent that would be implied. The Gov
ernor was warmly interested III making q sue
cess of the jute works, especially the night
Folsom and the establishment of Reform
School. Subsequently rumor arose. and was
persisted in, that Messrs. Devlin and DePue
were going to oppose the Governor and his
policy. IN q conversation between Directors
ScrIvener, Sonntag and myself referring 10 this
! rumor, Scriyener said TO Sonntag that I'VE must
stand in with the Governor and carry out his
that / believed the Governor was sincere
in his efforts 10 advance the interests
of the prisons and State, and that so long as
this was true, he would sustain HIM There
was two or three times afterwards when we
stood together in some sction before the Board,
but this wss not Uniform and did not amount
to any prearranged coneert of action.
Referring to the annex TO the Narden's resi-
dence at San Quentin, about which great
amount of inquiry has been made during the
Investigation. witness said he did not know of
any authority ever having been granted by the
Board for erection of the building; that none
ever was given, except FOR making neeessary re-
pairs. He had never been able to ascertain
what the building cost but would think il
must be 5000 or more.
On the first OF last November we went to San
Quentin TO hold our monthly meeting. General
/ McComb presented the monthly bills and the
clerk refused TO certify to them unless he could
| have time to examine them. Their considera-
ton was then ossponed until the next meeting
of the Board at Folsom. When we examined
| them there we found that the San Quentin beef
$500, while at Folsom for the same time, with
over one third as many prisoners, it
was only. $500. This and other similar
| bills led Mr.. Devlin and myself to have a
| conference. Mr.. ID. said he could not afford to
| have anything like this appear in the accounts
and management of the san Quentin prison,
| as to cost OF various kinds of work. improve
ments, ETC., being done. told Mr.. Devlin
was tired of the way things were running and l
| should resign. AS a result of our consultation
| Mr.. Devlin, De Pue ana myself concluded to
have an investigation OF affairs at San Quentin,
| with a steuographer, and to make the
investigation with closed doors. A detailed
statement of the manner in which
Warden McComb endeayored to prevent the
meeting for the purpose named. This was done
be sending letters and dispatches to witness,
| that no meeting would be held as per appoint
ment. meeting aUds held, however, and in
vesrigation proceeded. 1t was found that all
bills were very large and unsatisfaetory-ver
much larger than under Warden Shirley. We
then demanded, said the witness, that a sepa-
rate account be made Of all expenditures, such
as cost of the new annex at Warden's residence
guard towers, ETC., be kept. We insisted upon
this, and that statement of recent past ex-
penditures be furnished. We did not succeed
however, in getting any satisfactory response
from the Warden, and never have. | cannot
tell why, but any satisfactory response has been
persistently refused.
Witness then described the manner in which
prisoners were kept in solitary confinement
by Warden McComb while Warden at Folsom,
and the good conduct of the same prisoners
under Warden Aulls management, and warmly
Endorsed the methods of the later.
In concluding his testimony Mr.. luttrell said
in response to question asked: / have not
been informed why was g let out as Prison
Director, but am satisfied that the reason was
that was determined to get at the bottom facts
| OF matters at San Quentin. This l found was
very distastefdl 10 those interested in the man
| agement;s there was always an effective block
TO our efforts Tor getting facts. General McComb
would not respond to our demands in this line.
wanted 10 be able to know aid show where
every dollar went to, but could get nc satisfac
| ton whatever. | believe Governor Waterman
was as sincere as it is possible Tor any man to
be in his efforts for the best management OF the
prison, but his advisers are not. in my opinion
| SO anxious IN that direction.
We never had any trouble whatever during
| this time with the Warden at Folsom. We con!d
there tell at all times where every cent went TO-
and the Warden would not expend a cent
without previous authorization from the Board
| We never had particle of trouble with Warden
| Aull IN any particular, and believe the prison
under him is being conducted in the most
economical and successful manner.
After confederation by +. NJ. luttrell, the In
Yestlgatlon was adjourned till this evening.