The morning call., 1891-10-11
ROMANTIC TALE
OF A CON VICT.
Meeting of the Board of Prison
Directors at San Quentin.
Warden Hale Authorized to Go Ahead With
road and Others VIII Cooperate

The Board of State Prison Directors held
one of the Dleasantest and most interesting
meetings of the year at San Quentin Prison
yesterday. There were present: Chairman
Sonntagg and Directors De Pue, Devlin and
Stump, Craig being the only absentee. The
board convened after luncheon and was in
session until night.
After the usual routine E. N. Wilson ad-
dressed the board, also reading lengthy COM
munications relative TO the proposed new
road to be built from San Quentin to Tibu-
ron, and for the construction of which, by
recent act of the Legislature, the board is
authorized to employ all the unemployed
convicts confined in San Quentin. Mr.. Will
son had letters from the San Francisco and
North Pacific Railway Company, signed by
the President, j. F. Burgin, the Belvidere
Land Company, signed by its President,
George Bargage, and Martin I. Coleman,
NJ. Keedon aud John j. Reed, landowners
along the line of the proposed road.
The railroad company reiterated Its PROM
Use to furnish free transportation for all sup
plies, tools and help between San Quentin
and San Francisco and the work Of con-
struction. providing that the other parties
interested did their share of the work. The
land company agreed that II the board fur
nished the labor to build the road from
Reeds to Tiburon that it would pay all
other expenses, excepting the cost OF transporta-
tlon and lie board oil the conylcts. The land
owners agreed, upon like conditions, TO donate a
strip Of aud 40 feet wide for ROAD purposes
WILL BE KEPT IN GOOD REPAIR.
1t was also stated that the Marin County SUI
pervisors had Hgleed TO accept the road when
completed and keep ii In good repair aiterward.
The Supervisors had also appropriated $4,000
for bridging The road across the marshy places,
and nearly $1,000 additional hau been raised by
citizens of Maiin County for The same purpose.
lengthy discussion followed regarding the
proposed route aud The number oil men that
could be employed 10 advantage at once, as well
what length OF time would be required to
complete the road aud how soon work could be
commenced.
President Sonntagg said the board was ready
to 60 to work soon as II knew just what
wanted OF ii. There seemed TO be soma
differences. he thought, as 10 the route. aud init
mated that perhaps private interests more than
the public good are being looked after. He OBJ
jected 10 The road being built so close 10 the
railroad as WAS proposed. because OF the danger.
Another objection found was that II Is tempting
fate to take large body of convicts so far away
# ON prison aud put them at outside work.
III further explaining what was asked OF the
board 10 DO. MI. Wilson said that all the road
that would have 10 be built would be an aggre-
gate of about 400 feet IN length.
WORK NOT FEASIBLE NOW.
A motion by Director Deylln that Warden
Hale be directed TO 90 ahead and begiu work al
once met with opposition. " arden Hale thought
it hardly feasible 10 begin work now on account
of The proximity Of lhe rainy season and tile
impOSslblllty OF doing much before spring. He
thought that the men might be worked 10 adyan-
lage III places where the road Is already begun.
He also suggested STRENGTHENING the stretch OF
road running from the prison gate TO Greenbrae,
The prison station on the railroad, so as TO avoid
the present long deIour through the brek-yard.
The railroad company had promised as soon as
this is done TO build new StatOu-u0 al the
terminus OF the road.
On Director slump's motion Warden Hale was
directed 10 90 ahead with his men and begin
work upon The road from Reeds Station TO Hi
ldTita, near llUuTOu, as soon as io could.
MIR. W iIson then announced that the Belyidere
Land Company would honor all checks for ma
terals, eIe., presented by the Warden, and
would advance tile money week by week II
needed.
The balance OF the road was left open for dis
cussion at a subsequent meeting. as the Director.
had expressed desire TO go over the route and
personally inspect il.
Daniel Sleern. who has n lease OF the stone
quarry at Slaugbterh0use Point, appealed 10 the
board to release him from his contract, as he is
losing money. The board did so. and also con-
sideTed Mi SbeeTin's offer to sell II, his plant
and machinery.
GAS WILL BE USED FOR THE PRESENT.
The subject Of lighting plant came up again
by the arrival Of one OF the bidders.
President Sonntag cut short all talk on the
matter by saying that The project of furnishing
Its own light had been abandoned temporarily
by the board, as II had renewed contract with
tie san Rafael Gas Company, whereby 1t Is given
gas for So 10 per 1000. reduction OF 10 cents.
The would-be aspirant for light. building con-
tracts went out mutterlng something about being
able 10 furnish gas for Go cents per 1000.
The report OF Expert Accountant Wadham on
the books connected with San Quentin Prison
was very hJttering TO the management. He had
found vouchers 10 correspond with tile cash. He
reported the following itemIzed accounts:
Cash belonging TO the State and prisoners
In bank of u. o. Mills. ...... $l214S 81
In Bank OF California. ................. 1897 40
In vault OF San QueIitin-... =. ........ 400 20
Cash due prisoners
In Pacific Bank. ...................... 5000 90
In vault at San Quentin. 25e 50
The several funds stood as follows:
General Appropriation Fund. ..........$149lO 4 10
State Prison 96,905 So
Jute Fund. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 6l,SsS 80