Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-12-23
Mr.. S0EATAG's oBJEcTIOE.
BE SAYS THAT WARDEN McoMB Ex.
CEEDED HIS AUTHORITY.
A Carpet Bill for San Quentin
Caused the Trouble-Director
Reddy Intercedes.

The Board of State Prison Directors mel
last evening at the Golden Eagle Hotel
There were present Directors Devlin, Som.
tag, De Pue and Reddy.
Warden Aull, of the Folsom Prison, ap-
peared before the Board, and exhibited
some plans he had prepared for providing
more cells and larger dining-rooms at the
prison. He said accommodations for 800
would be added in this manner. He pro.
posed to place bill before the Legislature
asking for an appropriation for the work,
and desired to keep the Board informed as
to his movements.
Director Reddy, to whom was referred
the petition of convict John Harris, who is
under double sentence, made his report.
Harris received two sentences, each for
seven years, which he claims is illegal, and
demanded that he be released at the ex-
plration of seven years. Director Reddy's
report was to the effect that Harris must
serve out his fourteen years-the second
sentence to begin Immediately upon the ex-
piration of the first.
A number of bills then came up for the
consideration of the Beard, and among
them was one for nearly 5000 for furnish.
ing up the new guards and officers quar-.
tiers at the San Quentin prison.
Director Sonntag objected to the payment
of this bill
What are the grounds of your objec-
tion?" asked Director Reddy.
"It was not authorized bv this Board -
replied Mr.. Sonntag. 81 think" ne con.
tinued, ''it is about time for the Warde en-
at San Quentin to Leaf that he must con-
suit this Board before entaiiing such ex-
pense as this
rs that the only objection?"
That's my objection"
Mr.. Reddy said he could see nothing wrong
with the prices of the carpets and other
articles furnished, and was sure that thew
were cheap. The State would receive the
benefit, and to refuse TO pay for the articles
would only be rebuke to the Warden,
while the real sufferer would be the firm
which sold the goods. Mr.. Reddy said
he understood the rule had always been
that the Warden could order such improve
ments.
Eyes, added Mr.. Sonntag, 'he made
the rule himself Mr.. Sonntag then went
on to say that Warden McComb had been
making practice of ignoring the Board of
Directors in all matters. The Warden had
been spoken to a number of times about
SApSA5ccs OuI luS hHOl6 Oh the Dan
Quentin Prison administration had been to
ignore the Directors. Rules had been laid
down for the government Of the prison, but
the Warden paid no attention TO them.
There was too much extravaganza, and il
was all brought about by the Warden as.
Stunning too much control over the pur-
chases.
Mr.. Reddy was not inclined to defend
Warden McComb but he insisted that, be-
cause the Warden had erred, it was no rea-
son why an innocent merchant should
suffer-upon whom the blow would fall
heaviest.
A lengthy discussion between the two
Directors followed.
Finally Mr. DePue moved that the bill
be paid. He said the Warden could be
reached in some other manner than by re-
pudiating the claim of merchant.
The motion was carried, Sonntag alone
voting in the negative.
Upon Director Devlin's suggestion, a
fornfsl order was made to the effect that
in the future the Wardens should not,
without previously consulting the Directors,
make any purchases exceeding in value $50.
The claim of Prison Hospital Steward
Mccain, for 500 70-for time lost while
suffering from small pox contracted at the
hospital-was allowed, and the Board then
adjourned, to meet again to-day at the lone
celebration