The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-11-13
SEVEN CENTS A TON.
Stone From the State Quarry at
That Figure.
Phil Crimmins, Joseph Sheerin, Captain Ben
Chambers and Captain Dousherty
In the Scheme.

An important meeting was held in the
back room of Phil Crimmins' saloon in this
city last Tuesday. Although the proceed
ings were secret, the matters discussed were
of such general interest as to warrant pub
LEGATION.
Several months ago THE CALL directed
attention to the fact that contract for get
ting out stone from the CURRY at San
Quentin had been let to certain gentlemen
by the Board of State Prison Directors.
3The contract was given in the name Of a
man named Shaen, but the interested per-
sons behind him were known to be Daniel
Sheerin, Captain Ben Chambers. Captain
Dougherty, Captain Leale and Phil Grim
minis.
The contract was so made that stone from
the States quarry was to be taken in guam
titles TO suit the contractors, and they were
to pay the State cents a ton for it. The
contractors also agreed to make extensive
improvements, but have failed to keep their
word in this regard.
THE CALLS exposure Of the business
compelled cessation of operations for
time, but it appears that, trusting to forget
fulness on the part of the public, the con-
tractors again became active.
DIVIDING THE SPoILs.
Last Tuesdays meeting in Crimmins'
saloon was for the purpose of making a
division of the profits and TO devise means
for perpetuating the lease There was also
big misunderstanding between two of the
contractors. Mr.. Sheerin announcing that
either he or Captain Chambers must leave
the concern. 1t is reported that he con-
sdered himself very badly abused man,
and said that he had fallen a prey TO the
astute Captains pendant for intrigue.
AT the time the contract was made, allow
ing the rock to be taken for cents a ton, it
was openly stated that bid offering IA
cents a ton was made, but was not con-
sidered by the Prison Directors.
Directors SOntag and Depue solemnly
protested against granting the contract,
saying they thought there was no warrant
of law fer the action, and that the board
would be liable to cenSure or removal for so
doing. Notwithstanding this, and although
AttOIneyGeneral johnson delivered Wig
orous opinion against the legality Of the
proceeding, Directors Devlin, Craig and
Reddy OVERRIDE the minority and granted
The contract. Attention was also drawn to
the fact that several Of the interested per-
sons we're State officers and as such, were
debarred by statute from making contract
of this character with the State.
A MERE FORM.
The demand for settlement with the
Slate appears to be the cause which precipi-
tated the controversy in tile ranks of the
spectators, for 1t appears that, although
given an advantageous contract, some of
them regarded 1t as merely matter of form
and did not expect to be called on to pay
anything at all. Their surprise and chagrin
at being thus mistIeated, as they think, by
those formerly regarded as their friends, may
be more easily imagined than described.
When the fact of Tuesdays consultation
among the contractors became known THE
CALL sought to obtain from w. Ii. Ii. Hart,
the newly elected Attorney-General, an eX-
preston OF opinion with regard TO what he
would do about the matter when he takes
the Office conferred ON him by the people.
THE ATToRNEY-GENERAL-E
Mr. Hart said: There is very little that
! ought at this time tn say about the matter.
The subject has been several times called
TO my attention. so that | cannot say that l
am ignorant OF what is going on. am free
to tell you, though, that if | ind in exist
ence such an abuse as has been represented
to me shall at once institute proceedings
to set aside the contract or lease. That
quarry is big thing, and 1t is all the mere
valuable because it is the nearest one TO
San Francisco. The stone is well worth
more than the highest price, offered. and
ought to be preserved for the benefit of the
State. The Directors probably had as much
right to lease the jute-mill as the quarry;
but leaving that question aside, II higher
bid was offered, OF course the State Is being
swinded, and the contract ought to be
annuled.
CONVICT LABOR.
Fright here / wish to say that individually
am opposed to having convict labor come
in conflict with free labor. l think the prin-
ciple is wrong. Convict labor should be con-
fined as much rs possible to such work as
will not compete with our Industrial classes
That is matter that could be easily ar
ranged, however, by having the State man
age its own quarry and hire it own workmen.
San Quentin has recently become very
expensive. 1t now costs sec, 600 year more
to maintain the same number of prisoners
than it did under the management of either
Shirley or Ames. A large proportion Of this
increase is unnecessary. 1t is caused by the
creation of sinecures for favortes. Some of
these might be abolished without deteriment
to the State"