The morning call., 1891-07-12
REFORM ATORY
AND JUTE-MILL.
Two Projects Now Before the
Prison Directors.
An Effort to Double the Grain.Bag Output.
The Preston school-Prisoners De-
prived Of Credits.

ever, gathered at the prison on Friday night
and held special session which lasted until
midnight, and at which were prese ut Presi-
dent Sonntag and Directors, Stump and De
Pue.
The principal subject discussed was the
matter Of the Preston Reformatory at lone.
The board during several years has spent
large sum or money in purchasing tie and
partially building a sehOol-house. At the
last session OF the Legislature bill was
passed appropriating a sum large enough to
finish the work which had been partially
completed, but Governor Mar khan cut out
the appropriation in order to keep within
the 80 cent limit. The Prison Directors be-
lieve that if the work is not carried on the
portion already constructed will be ruined.
What is wanted is a roof. It is thought that
SIS coo will be sufficient to put the building
in condition to save the work already DONE
The question is to raise the money. The
Prison Directors have more than enough on
hand with which to run San Quentin Prison,
and 1t was suggested that the necessary
amount be borrowed from the prison funds.
After a careful review. of the proposition
Director Sonntag was appointed special
committee TO confer with the Attorney
General and the State Board of Examiners
regarding the legality and ACCESSIBILITY of
taking this step.
a HEALTHY FINANCIAL CONDITION.
A quarterly report was received fl ON Ex-
pert Accountant Luman Wadham, which
shows the prison funds to be in a fourishing
condition. The cash account for the forty
second fiscal year stood as follows: Cash
in vault $3.50 81, in Bank of California
S23, 204 SO, in National Bank of d. o. Mills
S15,5S0 IA; total cash on hand S39,735 49, as
shown by casn-books standing in the name
of w. e. Hale, Warden.
The cash belonging to the prisoners in
San Quentin is now kept entirely separate
lows: Cash in vault at San Quentin S44S so,
on deposit in Pacific Bank $500; total,
S394S so.
The available funds for the forty-third
fiscal year are as follows: Assets-Gen-
erai appropriation for support of the prison
S160,000, State Prison fund SIS, 26S 81, jute
revolving fund S76,479 Sc, appropriation for
insane building $4,000; left from front gate
fund S1502, cash in vault $780, 1856 49, pur-
chase of bonds $780, Total S437. 6SS 90.
Liabilities June bills unpaid 5000 10,
merchandise S16.792 Of; jute revolving fund
Sl1.301 As, improvements SIG 81. Total
S34, 932 %. Net assets for f0rty-third fiscal
year S4U2, 756 81.
Yesterday afternoon second session of
tie board was held Director De Pue hay
ing been called away Director Devln how
ever arrived and made up the necessary
quorum.
Warden Hale presented his monthly re-
port, in which he stated that the resignation
of b. p Rector. Superintendent OF the iute-
mill, was accepted, to take effect July 1St,
and A. S. Butterworth appointed to take his
place.
The appointment of Butterworth was
confirmed by the board ana his salary was
fixed at $50 a month Warden Hale also
reported that the guard force is now re-
duced to fifty. The demand for grain bags
during the month was very light, ana the
price had been reduced to GA cents each.
FLAMING FOR a NEW JUTE-MILL
A proposition came before the board
which had in view the expenditure of
$4,000 for the construction of a new jute-
mill. Tins money WAS appropriated by the
Legislature some time ago for that purpose
and has never been utilized. 1t is now idle
in tho State Treasury. The total number of
grain bags consumed i'll California each year
is 30,o00,000. OF this number the prison
produces 100000. About ., SOC, 900 bags are
produced in Oakland. All the rest are i'm
ported. The idea OF the Prison Directors is
to double the quantity now produced, max
ing the annual prison production 100000
bags
report was received from George E.
Ames of the Union Iron Works, with plans
and specifications for compound engines for
giving power for additional jute-mils with
a capacity of 100 looms. The subject was
much discussed, but no conclusion reached.
1t is proposed to build the new iute-mill on
the site of the old furniture. factory, which
will be torn down for that purpose. The
proposition is as yet only in its preliminary
stages.
The board then took up the subject of
charges preferred against different prison.
ers. w. i. Buchanan, charged with VIC
lating the rules of the prison in having
knife in his possession, explained that his
life had been threaten by "A fello W prisoner
in the laundry named ''Dutchy" Boxer.
Snmp nriOr rand au0iOct him
where he had been punished for various
violations of the rules Buchanan was COM
mitted in October, 1884, for twenty-five
years, for murder in the second degree. in
Monterey County. He is already entitled to
forty-seven months credits. On motion of
Director Stump one years credits were taken
from him.
HAS A HARD RECORD.
Henry Baker. transferred TO San Quentin
from Folsom, aud who is one of the NEST
incorr1gible OF prisoners, according TO his
record, was charged with having opium in
his possession and dealing in the drug.
His case was continued in order to commit
nicate with Folsom to see how many credits
he had lost in that Institution.
William Madden, charged with dealing in
opium IN the prison, pleaded guilty. He
claimed that he simply carried the opium at
the instance of Baker. Four months of his
credits were taken away. His term expires
in 1888
cltl DuuCI. ECU Will UANl11 at
tempted to escape from prison on the night
of May 9, 1891, proved to be out of his mind.
He had been confined in the insane quarters.
The case against him was continued in
definitely; as was also the charge against
Charles Irvine, known as Cray" Charlie
The latter prisoner Is imbued with the idea
that it is his perfect right to escape. and he
takes advantage of every opportunity to run
away. He has now almost served nine
years term for attempting to escape.
William Hines was brought before the
board at his own request and applied for n
discharge. He was convicted of seduction
and sentenced to FIVE years. He escaped
from the County Jail. but was recaptured
and sentenced TO two years more. Hines
has served his first five years and believes
his case similar to the Harris Gaze, which
was recently decided, and that his TWO
terms should run together. The matter
was referred TO the Attorney General for
an opinion. Hines has been an exception
ally good prisoner and has never been
punished for any violations of the rules.
The opinion of the board seemed to be
that he stands good chance Of getting ont
If he had escaped from State Prison his
case would have been different, as special
provision OF the law applies to such cases.
CONVICT LABOR FOR ROADS.
f. Bgelow addressed the board on behalf
of the property-owners OF San Rafael and
vicinity to obtain convict labor for the con-
structon of a ROAD from Point TibuT0n to
San Rafael. and produced an agreement of
pfoperty-owners along the line conveying a
right of way sixty feet On motion of
Director Stump, MIR. Bigelow was requested
to obtain definite plans and specifications
for the road and its cost.
Director Dey lin stated it would be better
to confer with the Attorney General regard
ing tie legal difficulties which might lie in
the way, while Director S0nntag wanted to
know who would furnish the implements
and material and feed the convicts, and what
would be the length of time required in con-
structiOn.
The matter will be determined at the next
meeting Of the buard.
Struck Officer.
George Dryer was arrested by Officer
Callahan on East street at o'clock last
night The fellow was creating disturb