The San Francisco call., 1895-07-19
BUDD'S TASK FINISHED
The Prison Officials System
Commended by the
Governor.
NO OUTSIDE JUTE WORKED
Estimates Being Prepared for an
Electric Plant for the Peni-
tentiary.

SAN QUENTIN, CAL, June 1s.-Gov-
ernor Budd finished his inspection of the
prison and completed his searching exam
ination into the accounts to-day. No er-
rors were found in the books except those
due to the faulty system OF bookkeeping
used by Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Vanderbilt, and TO prevent further errors
from the same cause Prison Accountant
Walden has already prepared for Wander
bilt's use an approved form OF warehouse
books, which will be specially ruled and
printed for the jute department. 1t was
learned that each bale of bags put up
in the mill is marked with distinguish
ing number and with the prison trade
mark-the letters IS. Q. P" within a
broad ring. The Governor complimented
the prison officials very highly on the sys-
tenn in use, and expressed his conviction
that it was impossible that single bale OF
iute could be run through the mill IL
licitly.
During the inspection of the mill the
Governor met an old client, BILLY"
Miner, who is serving long term for
highway robbery, and had long talk
with him. In the course of the converse
ton the Governor asked if it were possible
to run outside jute through the mill.
Miner replied that any one who thought so
was - fool because the convicts were
taken from easier jobs and put into the
mill as a punishment, and were always on
the lookout for something wrong and
would only be too glad to report it.
Miner, by the way, was once n member
of the famous Ames gang in Yolo County.
When arrested he retained the Governor
to defend him, but at the last moment his
nerve failed him and he pleaded guilty.
He is q second-termer and therefore not
eligible for pardon.
The Governors old client was a cellmate
of Joe Marshall, who was shot and killed
by Guard Alexander on the night of No
vember %, 1894. 1t will be remembered
that general break was expected that
night and extra guards had been posted.
Marshall and Miner had no knowledge of
the attempt to break prison. but chanced
to select that night for an independent at
tempt to escape. They were shot down
within few feet of their cell, and the
others who had planned to escape took
warning from their fate.
are having estimates prepared with view
of putting in an electric plant in the
prison. The cost for lighting is now about
$1,000. 1t is said that of this about $1,000
can be saved by the substitution. One of
jutemill engines can be run separately at
night to run the dynamo, and the expense
of the necessary plant can be saved in
about two months.
Messrs. DePue and Fitzgerald held q
long conference on the law which limits
the manufactures at the prison to iute.
Arguments were advanced to the effect
that other lines of manufacture should be
used at the other State institutions, but not
be permitted to come into competition in
the open market. The Governor is
strongly of the opinion that limiting the
prison to jute material is unconstitutional,
in that the constitution provides that the
Legislature may enact prison regulations
for the benefit of the State, but does not
give that body power to limit the scope of
that benefit. 1t is likely that an opinion
on the subject will be requested from the
Attorney General soon. Mr.. DePue would
also like to test the coustitutionality of
the "sell to consumers only" statute. He
says the prison could now sell 1000 900
bags to Oregon dealers if permitted so
TO do.
Concerning the legal status of the case
of Murderer Fredericks, who is scheduled
to hang on the 26th inst, Warden Hale
has received a verbal opinion from the
Attorney General to the effect that the
prisoners legal resources are exhausted
and that the Warden must hang him on
the day appointed or become liable for
willful neglect of duty. The written opin-
ion is expected in a few days.
Governor Budd left for San Francisco on
the $3.50 P. NJ. train, and will go tonight to
Sacramento to attend meeting of the
Board of Examiners tomorrow.
SzLOONs MIST en-