The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-02-20

who was serving out sentence for such a
serious crime as Bachman committed.
In discussing it, while they claimed that
Captain Aull had been deceived in his esti-
mate OF the convict and admitted that his
good nature had been shamefully abused,
they confessed that the Warden was placed
in a rather unique position by the simple
facts that he had assisted Bachman in get
ting his book published and had granted
the man special privileges about the
prison.
AS one of them said, though (himself an
ex-warden), 'while it is absolutely neces-
sary that an official use Judgment in hand
ling the men he has in his charge, and
pick out accordingly such as he thinks he
can trust, there are certain limits which
should be drawn and defined"
Director De Pue, in speaking of the liter
airy venture on Monday, said that the
Warden's good nature had been imposed
upon by Bachman, and that that was the
general opinion of the board of directors /;
but since the matter has gained publicity
there are other circumstances in connec-
ton with it which he thinks it but just
and fair should be brought to light. These
particulars concern Convict Bachman, and,
as revealed at the meeting of the board,
show that there is more involved in the
case than the failure of the book venture.
1.-The fact Is" said Director De Pue,
that all the time Bachman was impress
ing the Warden with the idea that he was
so industrious and active in doing the
clerical work of the prison he was engaged
in a conspiracy with an official of the
prison who wanted to injure Aull in every
way. This official has since been dis
charged, but the evidence showed that he
was working to undermine Aull. His
name is Davis, and he was captain of the
night watch"
"In what way was the conspiracy
worked? was asked.
'Well, the first intimation of it that
Captain Aull had was through a convict
who was a cellmate of Bachman. He
went to the Warden and told him that
Bachman had written a number of letters
to legislators and State officials, in which
he abused the captain and the manage
lnent of the prison in the strongest kind of
language. This happened, mind you,
while Bachran was enjoying what little
privileges the Warden could grant him.
thinking that he was an active and indus
trious fellow.
Captain Aull secured one of these cir
cular letters (for they were all the same)
and from that time kepta watch on Bach
man. The sheet which the Warden Sc
cured contained the most abusive epithets
against him personally and it also ar
raigned the management of the prison.
when this was brought TO Captain
Aull's attention he naturally felt indig-
should do such thing. He at once sent
for Bachman, and it was then that the cpl
sode of the pistol came up. Bachman ap-
peared before Captain Aull and when
questioned threw off his mask He turned
upon the captain and charged him with de-
frauding him out of the profits of the book
called Redeemed, " to publish which Cap
tain Aull had advanced the money He
went further and said that the Warden had
promised to secure him pardon from the
Governor in return for an interest in the
book. Then it was that the captain, very
properly | think, ordered him into soli-
tary confinement.
before being placed in the cell the con-
vict was searched and a pistol. was found
upon him. This weapon he had secured
from drawer in the desk where he had
been working upon the books 1t was
probably an oversight to leave weapon
lying around that way, but considering the
estimation in which the Warden held Bach,
man, it was not thought possible that he
would smash into the place and steal the
weapon. Itwas not in place where other
conyicts could have secured it, as Bach
man said, nor any other weapon.
''As to the pardon which Bachman claims
he was promised, /, as well as the other
directors, scout the idea as absurd on its
face. Captain Aull could bring no influ-
ence to bear on the proposition. He Is
Democrat, and the last administration was
Republican, if politics are to be brought
into it.
But politics are not factors in such
matter. Sometimes the board of directors
Will question the Warden of lie prisons as
to man who has petitioDed for q pardon.
we, OF course. want to know all we can
before making any recommendations. That
Is as lar as the Warden's power goes. 1t