The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-03
M'C0MB STEPS DOWN.
The States Prison Warden Ten.
ders His Resignation.
Ben Chambers Office to Be abolished After
March 1st-The New Warden Not Yet
Chosen-New Rules Wanted.

Warden john McComb has gracefully
succumb bed 10 the inevitable and resigned
his position as chief officer at the San Quen-
tin Penitentiary.
When the States Prison Directors met last
night in their rooms on Market street It wa IS
whispered that there was a surprise in
store, and when they retired to an inner
chamber, where they remained for nearly
an hour, matters began to assume an inter-
eSting appearance. 1t was said, however,
that their holding an executive session was
merely for the purpose OF initiating the
new Director, Irwin c. Stump, into the
mysteries of the order.
Shortly after o'clock they emerged from
their privacy, and when the roll was called
it was found that all were present Director
Devlin was in the chair and on rapping for
order announced that as his term as Chair
man had expired he would suggest that the
election of his successor be made tile first
order of business. Without further pre-
liminary he proceeded to place Director
Sonntag in nomination, and that gentleman
was chosen without dissent.
MI SOuntag thanked the board for the
honor and requested Mr.. Devlin to continue
in the chair during the progress OF the meet
ing.
MCoMB'S RESIGNATION.
The Secretary then stated he had received
communication OF some Importance and
was directed 10 read it. 1t was as follows:
SAN QUENTIN, CAL, Feb 2, 1891
To the Honorable state Board or Prison
DirectOrs-GENTLEMEN: l have the honor TO
tender the resignation OF my 0 flee as Warden OF
the state Prison al san Quentin, 10 take effect on
the first day OF April, 1891.
Very respectfully, your obedlent servant.
JOHN MCCoMB.
On motion of Director S0nntag the
,fF,.V.
Immediately followed 1t up by moving that
the office of Deputy Warden be abolished ON
and after Marcn LIST. This, too, Was agreed
to, Director Craig alone voting in the mega
tive.
Mr. Stump suggested that in accepting the
resignation of Warden McComb, the letter,
convey ing the action OF the board, contain
some kind expression for his services, and
moved that such a course be taken. This
was agreed to without dissenting voice.
NO SUCCESSOR NAMED.
Mr.. Deylin then asked if it was the desire
to choose a new Warden, but il was agreed to
defer the matter until some future OCCASION
and Mr. Stump was named as committee
OF one to select an expert to examine into
the accounts of the prison and make care
full inventory of all property on hand, pre-
paratory to the new Warden assuming
charge of affairs.
At this point in the proceedings Mr.. Sonn-
tag moved that committee be appointed by
the Chair to draft new set of rules Tor the
government Of the prison and to revise the
list OF employees, with view to the reduc-
ton of expenses
He was prompted TO this, he explained.
by reason of the fact that he believed that
there were number of Offices that could be
dispensed with without inconvenience 10 the
management. lie had prepared n set of
rules and list OF employ es which he would
submit at the proper time.
Mr. Stump was Of the opinion that def
mite action should be deferred until the new
Warden was chosen in order that that OIL
eal might be allowed to make such sugges-
lions as might occur TO him. The sugges-
ton was deemed a good one, and Messrs.
De Pue, Stump and Devlin were named as
a committee to report after the election OF
the new Warden.
The board then adjourned to meet at San
Quentin on February I4th.