The record-union., 1893-08-05
STATE GARDENER VINCENT.
Under Suspension for DereIiction of
Duty.
Capitol Commissioners Have Dropped
on Methods Long Known to
the Public.

It is evident that there has been a
change in the methods in vogue during
past times at the State Capitol. 1t is only
three or 1our years since a former State
Gardener used to complain that his men
were insubordinate and would not obey
his orders, and when he insisted on their
doing their work, openly informed him
that he could not discharge them, as they
had too strong pull for him.
1t seems that things have changed now,
and that the State Gardener is held ac-
countable for the mems work or idle
ness.
Secretary of State Waite and State
Treasurer Mcdonald, at meeting of the
State Capitol Commissioners, have sus-
pended the State Gardener, F. 0. Vim
cent, and John Hammond, his assistant.
The State Gardener had reported by
letter that Hammond was absent without
leave and also reported him for careless
ness and lneIficiency, and he was sus-
pended for the month Of August without
pay.
1t appeared to the members of the
board that Gardener Vincent has known
of the absence of men without leave and
OF their lnet1iciency; that he was aware OF
the comparative WOrthlessness of some
OF the employees on the grounds, and has
not reported them as ordered by this
board TO do, and that there is abundant
evidence Of his own inability and in
efficiency. 1t was therefore ordered that
he be suspended from duty without pay
until fall meeting of the board.
1t was also resolved that watchmen and
employees on the grounds shall not here
after be allowed more than two weeks
vacation at any one time except tor
special reasons, and any more overstay-
ing the vacation allowed will work a sus-
pension or dismissal unless good reasons
shall be given for the Overstay.
The board also resolved that hereafter
the men remaining at work on the
grounds shall be at the command of the
board until further orders.
Secretary Waite yesterday gave the
men directions as TO what they should
10 until Vincent was reinstated or some
one elected in his place.
Secretary Waite says the board has
good reasons for its action, as, although
the men get $50 per month and have only
eight hours day work, they neglect it,
getting drunk and being away for days at
time. Nincent's men, Mr.. Waite saws.
imposed upon him and did just as they
pleased, and he had repeatedly instructed
him to report them to the Commissioners
cent did not do so.
The Secretary further says that no one
on the grounds has any political pull
with him, and they must all do their
work or lose their places. Daily men
come to him who have large families to
support, some of them soldiers of the late
war, and ask him to give them a chance
on the grounds. He thinks, however,
that there viii be considerable change
before long.
The men employed upon the grounds
are: +. O. Vincent, San Francisco, gar
dener, 1850; george w. Hager, Mendo-
cino; John Hammond, Sonoma; George
A. Beecher. Alameda; A. II. Packard,
Stanislaus; John Jenkins, Sacramento:
John Marty, Yolo; john Sullivan, San
Francisco; Nat Holmes, Sacramento;
John Hammond, Solano; c. E. Rippon,
Sacramento; r. T. Mitchell, Sacramento;
w. A. McHenry, FL Dorado-all laborers,
at an annual salary of 81, ,0S0 each: Il. w.
Meredith, lula;. John Barrett Sacra-
mento; Ii. NJ. Drew, Sacramento-special
policemen, at salary Of 81 200 a year.