The San Francisco call., 1895-12-15

for from $3.50 to 500. He had conferred
with Consulting Engineer Eckhart on
these matters and that officer concurred in
the report. The mill has been shut down
for two weeks to permit the ordinary an
nual overhauling of the machinery.
The term of Director Deviin expires be-
fore the next meeting of the board, and IN
view of his retirement Director Netf
offered the following resolution, which
passed unanimously:
WHEREAS, The term of the Hon. R. T. Devlin
as mem Der of the Board of State Prison Direc-
about to expire, it is meet AMI proper that this
board should take this opportunity 10 express
the esteem in which he is held as faithful
and courteous public servant, and the regrets
engendered that the happy relations so long
existing should be severed; therefore, be 1T
RESOLVED, That the long service gratuitously
given to the State by Hon. r. T. Devlin in his
official capacity as prison director-the regu-
larity with which he has attended the meet
ings of the board-his undertaking attention
given tc all matters relating to the manage
ment of the prisons and the kindly in nterest he
has bestowed on the unfortunates over whom
he, in part, has exercised control, entitle him
to not only the grateful remembrance OF his
colleagues, but to the gratitude of the people
of the State We join in sincere desire for
his success and prosperity and express the
hope that higher honors may yet await him /;
and
RESOLVED, That these resolutions be spread
upon the minutes of the board at San Quentin
and Folsom.
The resolution was adopted unanimously
and Mr.. Dev1in responded in few we'll
chosen sentences expressing his apprecla-
ton of the kindly feeling manifested and
his thanks for the uniform courtesy with
which he had been treated by his col
leagues during his term of Office.
Fred j. Wessell who has served four
years of a sentence for felony committed
in Santa Cruz, was granted release on
parole.
The application of Joe Cook, the ex-
clerk of the San Francisco Police Court,
for release on parole, was denied.
Consideration of the case of E. e. How
land, the Los Angeles spiritualist, who is
serving term for perjury in swearing
that a spiritualist gathering is a religious
meeting, was continued one month. The
clerk was instructed to write to Los Ange-
les for further information concerning the
case.
After lunch the board resolved itself into
a court for the trial of prisoners for ped
ding opium or having it in their posses
sion. According to the statement of one
prisoner, very large percentage of the
convicts use the drug. and as the board is
determined to stamp out the practice,
the punishments inflicted were especially
severe.
John O'Rourke, San Francisco song
and-dance man, who is serving term for
manslaughter, had opium in his possession
with intent to sell it. He does not use the
drug, but claimed it was given him by a
fellow-prisoner. He refused to give the
name, claiming that he was afraid to do SO.
He said that it was dangerous for a pris-
oner to "peach," that men had been
severely handled before now for so doing
and that threats had been made to cut his
throat if he was indiscreet. He also
Ia INa1 1cl,t
opium into the prison for Convicts Crocker
and Dawson, who have since been dis
charged.
The board put little faith in his state
ments, as he is notorious throughout the
prison as liar, and Guard Ayers has the
reputation of being square and as hon
est as the day is long. O'Rourke was
sentenced to lose all his credits and wear
bali and chain for six months.
Convict j. NJ. Ellis, Los Angeles burg
lar, was another unfortunate possessor of
the seductive drug. He proved to be very
much dissatisfied with bis surroundings,
and complained ofnearly everything a bout
the prison. He was particularly disgrun-
tied because he could not have a private
bathroom and he made angry charges of
general mismanagementa and crookedness,
IN support of which he could not mention
a single incident. He lost all his credits,
and will bear the ball and chain for six
months.
William Holman, an Alameda burglar,
lost all his credits and will carry the ball
and chain for three months for peddling
opium, and James Monahan suffers SINH
lar punishment for having the drug in his
possession.
James McNamee, haH-wtted youth of
IS years, was given opium by Convict Pc
tiers, but he turned it over to Captain Ed
gar, thereby escaping punishment, but in
curing the enmity of his fellows.
|. John Slattery asked for the restoration
of eight months credits which he lost for
insolence. On the recommendation of the
Warden four months were restored, and
he will be released in sixty days.