The morning call., 1890-08-10
AFFAIRS AT
SAN QUENTIN.
Prison Directors Discuss the Care
of Insane C0nvicts.
Plans Proposed for Hcme-New Machinery
for the .Mill-Warden McComb's
Report-An Attorney Wanted.
The Board of State Prison Directors con-

The Board of State Prison Directors con-
vened at San Quentin Prison yesterday af-
ternoon; present, President Devlin Gin the
chair and Directors De Pue and Sonntag.
The first matter that claimed their atten-
ton was the proposed new building for the
insane c0nvicts. an appropriation of S20,-
900 for which was made by the last Legis-
lature. In connection with this matter DR..
Wilkins Of Napa and DR.. Hatch from Ag-
news, at San Jose, had both been invited to
attend and express their views as to which
kind of building would be most suitable
for such purpose, and where would be the
best location, whether inside or outside the
prison yard.
PROPOSED PLAN.
DR.. Wilkins submitted plan of what he
thought would be the most suitable ar
rangement for such building. Instead of
the usual rectangular structure supplied
with cells made to open on the court, his
plan outlined rectangular building of two
or three stories. the cells of which would
only accommodate one inmate, and would
open into corridor extending clear around
the building and protected by high wall.
From the basement floor of this corridor
WOulu Uc Ouo u uiUl0 pdoodstWdyo itdulHs
to the large court, and this he suggested
should be made into an attractive flower
understanding to afford the patient re-
lief from the unattractive scenes of prison
life.
The Directors seemed to regard Mr.. Will
kins' plan with much favor. but as to the
locality great deal of discussion was in
dulged in.
Mr.. Sonntag believed it would be objec-
tiOnable to have this building within the
prison walls. 1t would hardly give chance
to distinguish the insane convict from his
fellow unfortunates not insane; again, it
might not be as healthy there as it should
be, and the afflicted convict would not have
the same chance of recovering.
The close proximity Of a house full OF
maniac convicts might also interfere with
the sleep and rest of the guards.
THE wARDEN's OPINION.
Warden McComb explained that he did
not see how it would be practicable to To-
cate the building elsewhere, and yet keep
within the letter of the act providing for
such an institution. An appropriation of
500. coo had been made only; no word of
provision was made for extra guards and
the endless other items of extra expense
that must inevitably arise. Even allowing
that such building as desired we're to be
built entirely by contract labor and the
material were to cost little or nothing, still
the appropriation would be barely sufficient
to complete it.
If it were inside the prison walls the
guards of the prison would be sufficient for
the whole but if not there must be an extra
force OF guards, etc. There is no use in be-
ing sentimental about it, lie insisted. In
sane convicts have to be watched as closely
as any others. Very frequently they feign
insanity to perfection in the hope of find
ing chance of escape. Many Of the more
desperate kind will drill through steel bars
fhnr rtttt f,rn nj Anr
walls with the ease of rats and bore heavy
masonry as though it were wood. 1t will
not do, therefore, to suppose that because
convict appears to be insane he is to be
pitied and removed from surveillance. Mr..
McComb had no special objection to a place
for tile insane outside the prison walls if
the State Legislature would provide for it.
OUTSIDE THE PRISON WALLS.
DIR. Wilkins replied that he was simply
explaining his views. He believed it was
only humane that the insane conyicts
should be removed from prison influence.
Other States were adopting that plan, and
were even placing the insane convicts in
parts entirely removed from the prisons in
some other portion of the State.
He wanted California kept up with other
States in all such matters OF progress and
enlightenment. But, he continued, if the
State will not provide means for such con-
veniences, then let the building be located
within the prison walls.
Dr. Hatch said he agreed with DR.. Will
kiDs, that while 1t was more desirable to
have such an establishment outside the
prison walls, away from the influence of
prison life and where the officials and con-
victs might not be annoyed by the rawlings
and SCREENINGS OF the insane, yet, rather
than not have any such institution at all, by
all means let it be inside the walls on the
location pointed out by Warden McComb.
Director De Pue agreed with both the ply
sicians that such an institution should be
erected outside and away from the prison
entirely, and, in fact, so did Director Sonn-
tag, but the way did not yet seem clear, and
the whole matter was laid over for future
consideration.
JUTE-MILL MACHINERY.
The matter of purchasing four bag-henl
ming machines for use in the iute-mills was
next discussed. A new machine, invented
by John ii. Mooney, had been in use in the
prison for several months, and after q thor
ough trial had proved such valuable and
economical acquisition that Warden Me
Comb unhesitaiingly recommended the pur-
chase of four more like it.
These machines hemmed the bags with
jute, while other machines required cotton,
and the saving alone in that single item
would be $1,000 year with the five ma
chimes. Mr.. Mooney agreed to let the Dr.
rectors have them for 1925 apiece, although
his price was $3.50, ard the purchase was
ordered made.
DR.. F. G. Durant, the resident physician,
asked for leave of absence for one month,
to date from September 10th. He desired
TO go East, and his vacancy would be filled
by reputable physician of San Rafael.
The application was granted.
President Lee Of the San Rafael Gas COM
pany was asked at what rate the company
would continue to furnish gas at the prison
after the expiration of the present con-
tract. which runs about two months longer
THE GAS CONTRACT.
Under the present contract the prison
pays So per 1000 cubic feet up to $4,000,
and for all over that amount 81 80. Mr..
Lee said the company would continue to
furnish gas for So % per 1000 feet.
In response to Mr.. S0nntag's question as
to what the company would furnish electric
lights for, Mr. Lee replied that for all-night
service Of the arc light it would cost $3.50,
but for a II o'clock service $780,
Mr.. Sonntag suggested shutting off the
light at midnight, but Warden McComb dis
said their night illumination was of more
use to them than almost anything else, and
so far from shutting it off to the extent of
one candle light he would be glad of as
much more as could be had. In case of
alarms, which were liable to occur at any
time, and always in the night, the lights
were Invaluable, and the more the better.
No definite action was taken, and the SUD-
ject will be discussed at future meeting.
WARDEN M'CoMB's REPORT
Warden McC0mb made the following re-
port:
To the Honorable State Board of Prison d.
rectors-GENTLEMEN: In accordance with your
Instructions, the working of the third shift of
operatives III the jute-mill was discontinued on
the LIST on account OF lack of available men to
run the three shifts to the full capacity; the
on the FIRST and second shifts, and the mill is