The morning call., 1890-06-23
HE TAKES WATER.
Governor Waterman Drops the
Warden Matter.
Secretary Boruck Disgruntled and Talks Out
Director sonntag Denies Being Guilty
of Malfeasance.

Perhaps the most uncomfortable person
in this city last night was the Chief Execu-
tive of this State, Governor Waterman.
The cause of his discomfort is the attempt
he has made to GUST a Warden and in which
he has signally failed.
The official against whom he directed his
executive powers is Warden John McComb
of San Quentin Prison. The Governor
went into the project in his own peculiar
way. He summoned about him those men,
bers of the Board of Prison Directors he
thought most likely to coincide with him.
He declared to them his object, and long
consultations were had in the parlors of
the Occidental HOtel, at the office of the
Prison Directors in the Phelan Building,
and even on the street, here he has often
been seen with some member button
holed and in earnest conversatio n.
1t did not take long for the rumor to
spread that something weighty was burden
ing the mind of the Governor, and soon the
the rumor took well-defined proportions,
and it was stated semi-authoritatively that
Warden McComb was the object of all this
whispering.
PLACING THE ORIGIN.
Directly the burden of the movement was
thrust on the shoulders of Directors Sonn-
tag and De Pue, and various rumOrs also
coupled the name of Director Reddy with
the scheme. AT no time were the names OF
the other two Directors, MeSSrs. Craig and
Deyln, mentioned as being among those
favoring the change.
The Directors, excepting Joseph Craig,
attended the meeting held Saturday at Fol-
som, which it was thought would prove
historical by reason of some action being
taken in the premises. Even the more con-
servative thought that papers might be flied
looking toward McComb's removal. Many,
therefore, were astonished by the announce
ment that the whole matter had been
dropped.
In announcing that the project had been
dropped it was stated, on good authority
too, that it was the Governor who had
stopped the proceedings. He stopped them
without giving reason to others, and per-
haps without knowing himself why he did so.
1t was the last thing in his mind TO undo
what he had caused to be done, and he re
yersed every order he had issued.
Yesterday the Chief Executive was
"out" to all attempts OF reporters to inter-
view him on causes of the reversal of his
political engine.
BORUCK TALKS.
Private Secretary Boruck, however. was
"at home" to reporters, and he talked
freely on the subject. He said: Z" l can tell
you very little, and that will not be new.
All huUW dUUul IL Is lDdI tuO hIOlC llldlt
is the Governors. He proposed the change
and was. bringing it about in the board.
decided from the first to have nothing to do
with the case and have kept clear" The
expression of the speakers face corrobo-
rated the force of some hidden disgust he
was diSinclined TO express in words.
Yes, l would have nothing to do with
it." lie said, musingy. Il have not even
allowed myself to inquire about 1t, and all
/ know of his doings got, like the rest of
the public, i'll the papers"
You say he was bringing it about in the
board. Has he dropped it?'
by one CT the morning papers | should
think he had. But l don't know. The
news may not be reliable"
Have you had any connection with the
proposed change in WardenS?'
None. None. whatever 1t is wholly,
as have said, the Governors scheme. He
. entered it alone and kept his own counsel,
and if he had decided to drop the matter
he has his own reasons. All | know is
that from the first l was and wanted to
keep away from it, and, when / saw was
named as the cause, | sent telegram to
Mr.. McC0mb denying it"
"Do you know anything about the alleged
charges against Director Sonntag@
81 know nothing of them at all. | have
nothing to say about it."
NO CHARGES FILED.
This matter of ousting a Warden is SIM
pie enough If charges against the incum-
bent be filed, as nothing can be done other
wise, especially if he will not resign. The
Governor does not seem to have thought of
that course. he acted as if the only thing
necessary was to get enough of the Drec-
tors interested and in favor of the changes.
Going to work in this manner. he only
succeeded III arrayng all the friends OF the
Warden against the uncertain Directors,
and, as result, charges of malfesance in
Office were spoken of as being prepared for
st llIrapfnr
charges specify that Director Sonntag made
contracts in at least two cases where
money consideration must have accrued to
his personal advantage.
Last night Directors De Pue and Sonntag
returned from Folsom, where the meeting
was held on Saturday. Director S0nntag
was seen just as he was ascending to his
apartments at the Palace. He said, when
questioned about the charges:
soNNTAG's DECLARATION.
"Pve been asked several times about
that matter All | have to say is that any
attempt to besmirch my integrity or
attack my faithfulness as a public off
Ger | brand as an infamy. When
accept the position l now occupy, which 1
did somewhat against my will, 1 decided
to do my duty regardless of fear or favor.
l have not changed the stand then took.
FL allow the records of the prison to cor
roborate what have said. 1t is sometimes
an honor to be arIaigned by such a person
as think is behind this Infamous attack.
Such is my case at present"
Did the board do anything about the
Warden at FolsomW
"No. not as board. There was no ac-
tion taken. | see that am quoted as being
one of the chief instigat0rs Of that matter.
Allow me to say that | disclaim any con-
nection with the scheme. had othing in
common with the Governor in this project"