The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-05-06

the constant care of the jailer to watch
this himsy portion of the ao-called
prison.
One of the great things needed in the
Jail is room. In the space now occu-
pied as a prison there is not room
enough for one-half the persons con-
fined there. There are no cells where
solitary prisoner can be placed that he
cannot communicate with his "pals,
and thus defeat the purpose for which.
he is placed alone.
A noticeable instance was brought to
light thu other day when runaway
girl from Santa Ana was taken to the
station. 1t would have been wrong to
have locked her up in the vermin-in-
fected dungeon for women, 30 she was
turned over to the police matron. The
matron lives two miles away, and has
only q private residence-no place for
women prisoners. Here she was kept
at the matron's expense. A similar case
occurred some time ago when Mrs. Gray
WAS compelled to keep young girl two
months without remuneration. There
ahould be a matron'e room, and above
all there should be new city Jail and
new receiving hospital.
Walter Guy Fernald, the noted dia-
mond thief, now in the county Jail at
San Francisco, upon his incarceration
here several months ago, called Chief
Glass in to see him.
"Chet," said the smoothest crack
ever arrested in this city, sit ID unfor-
tunate for NE at least that We have met.
Since we have met under such circum-
stances, L desire to say that l deserve
hot trna ! ~ M
nathan to be placed in such q hole
as this. The worst criminal that ever
drew breath should be treated better"
81 don't know but that owe you an
apology" replied the chief. 81 am not
responsible for the conditions existing
here, and beyond promising you hos
pitable treatment from those in charge.
1 can do nothing more"
Here is what the present grand jury
says of the city prison:
''In the examination of this institu-
ton we found an inexcussble state OF
affairs. We consider the prison inae-
cure. The cells are damp and cold. and
without means of warming. The build
ing is badly affected throughout by
sewer gas. There is no suitable place
for the detention of witnesses, separate
apartments Tor female or juvenile pris-
oners, nor for the matron to care for sick
women and children brought to the re.
celving hospital; neither is there room
| where portion of the force can be held
in reserve.
''The receiving hospital is entirely toe
email. There are now confined 80 or &c
persons in this close, loud-smelling place.
The receiving hospital is the only place
! outside of the cells where prisoner can
be confined.
Under the circumstances it ia surpris-
ing that the place is kept as clean az
it is.
There is urgent necessity for more
suitable quarters"
Two years ago Chief Glass made the
following report to the council:
II must once more respectfully call
the attention of your honorable body to
the very poor condition of the police
headquarters and city jail. The prison
is insecure. The cells are damp and
cold, and cannot be warmed, and 1t is {
cruelty. instead of proper legal punish
ment, TO CONNIE prisoners In them. AL
parts OF the building are daily fille(
with noxious gas from sewers that mus
be defective In every foot. There is no
room to provide suitable place for the
| QCbCAblOA vi WJluc6666, 66pdThb6 HDATU-
ments for females or juvenile prisoners,
80 that they will not come in contact
with the old and hardened criminals, all
of which are required by the law of the
state OF California. Nor have we apart.
ments for the matron, who should al.
ways be in attendance to search females
arrested, to take charge OF sick women
and children brought to the receiving
hnanifQl Tn tho h
that female prisoners might be re-
CURED to do, and until such apart
ments can be provided the matron
might almost as we'll be dispensed with,
as it requires about an hour to get her
from her home when wanted. Nor have
we room for an armory. drill hall, or
both rooms, or gymnasium, or dormi-
tory, whore portion of the force not on
duty could be held in reserve, and this
last is most necessary of all. Some
weeks ago Spanish boy was murdered
in Chinatown, in this city, and the
crime caused great excitement and in
dignation among the Spanish residents,
and for a time prior to the arrest of
Chung Yung, who is accused of the MUIR
der, | had reason to fear terrible riot
in Chinatown, and in consequence for a
number of days and nights all of the
officers of the department were on duty
or held in reserve. [ was obliged to
quarter part of the force in buildings
outside of the police headquar-
ters and the officers who were
kept in reserve at the central
station were obliged to sit up, when
they should have been resting. Though
this could be, and was. endured for a
day or two it could not have been en-
dured had the trouble been prolonged
weeks or months, as has happened in
other cities and may happen in this
The present police headquarters have
been condemned, justly condemned, by
the grand jury of this county. and do
not believe the building can be repaired,
and l therefore once more recommend
that your honorable body sell the old
building and site. and erect upon larger
grounds a building suitable for the
police courts. the police department.
and city receiving hospital, and in
connection with it erect a modern and
substantial jail"
WHOLESALE BURGLARS.