The San Francisco call., 1896-11-15
COAV|CTS TRY TO
SECURE LIBERTY
Many Applications Are
Made for Pardons
and Parole.
The State Prison Directors Have
a Busy Day at San
Quentin.
A GOOD FINANCIAL SHOWING.
| Promise of a Great Demand for Grain
Bags at Fair Prices-Ramon
Herrera's Case.
A GOOD FINANCIAL SHOWING.

day, the most OF WHICH was DcA4hu "AoSeN
doors, the business being that OF hearing
the petitions of those convicts who desire
to secure their liberty on parole.
Besides this there was another matter
disposed of-the resignation OF John Ruth
erford, the superintendent OF the jutemlll.
A year ago Mr.. Rutherford was engaged
at $3.50 per month. The output of the mill
has not been fully up 10 the desires or ex-
pectations of some of the directors, and as
the superintendent's first year drew to
close he seemed to become aware of the
fact that it would be better for him to pre-
sent his resignation, which he did.
From the statement of one of the di-
rectors the output of grain bags should be
14,0O0 q day. For time the output was
below that figure. This may have been
caused by the large number of convicts
who have been at work building the Tibu-
ron anc San Rafael county road. At any
rate there was general desire to econo-
miZe.
Considering this and the fact that the
superintendent's salary was $3.50 per
month where that of the former manager
was $3.50 per month it was decided that
the economical interests of the prison de-
manded the acceptation of Mr.. Ruther-
ford's resignation. 1t will take effect on
December 1.
vailed to the extent that the board added
to the duties of the warden the superin-
tendency of the jutemills. However, the
warden was allowed an assistant, who is
to receive the title of overseer of the mill.
Warden Hale at once appointed TO the
new position Charles E. Alden, at present
the assistant commissary. His appoint
ment was approved by the board.
Warden Hale, in making his report,
said there were several big demands for
bags, and inquiries had been made for
large lots. This was, no doubt caused by
the recent rise in the price of grain bags
OF from q TO q CT cent. He expects
that there will be large demand during
the coming season. At present there are
about 100000 grain bags on hand, which
represent many of the prison funds.
With lively demand at fair rates this
will Hberate the funds considerably.
Warden Hale was authorized to sell
100. 900 grain bags at 81 65 per 100, subject,
of course, to the provisions of the Ostrom
act limiting the quantity to each pur-
chaser.
The matter of finances, so closely con-
nected with the business of the jutemill as
one source of supply, was satisfactorily
considered by the board.
The following accounts of the prison
funds show that in the prison revolving
fund there is 100000 and in the State
prison fund $7SQ20. Due on November
account, $l7,691 90; due on the December
account, $5244 rs; total 1885 20. The
by about $4,000 or $4,000, which amount is
more than Offset by the November and
December dues, as here shown.
The one twenty-fourth act was sus-
pended for two months by permission of
the State Board of Examiners in order to
keep up the running expenses of the
prison. The amount overdrawn will be
m q "a he bor
December dues.
With good demand for bags on hand,
it is expected that the prison manage
ment will make good showing ere long.
Toe Warden further stated that at pres
ent there are 1874 bales of iute on hand.
He further said that the mill will have
to shut down before very long in order to
renovate, clean and repair the machinery.
This will give plenty of the raw material
for some time to come.
For a considerable time during the
earlier part of the session the board pa
tiently listened to several applications for
parole and petitions for pardons for con-
victs, etc. State Senator Jones OF Oroville
appeared on behalf of Clarence P. Thomas,
who was convicted of attempting to ex-
tort money from Major McLaug him. 1t
seems that the young man had sent to the
ma jor for money, and failing to receive
satisfactory answer followed up his re-
that he had certain papers and memo
randa that the major would not like to be
made pu bic, the documents being of
private nature.
Major Mclaughlin would not stand this
for moment and caused the young fell
lows arrest. After the arrest Mclaughlin
found that all the letters, etc., referred to
were in his own possession, but the pris-
oner was severely prosecuted and sem
.enced to four years imprisonment. Now
the major and Senator Jones, who prose-
cuted the case, believe tnat the sentence
was too severe and both have petitioned
Governor Budd for pardon for Thorne,
has served little over one year.
The petition of Edward L. Baker of Los
Angeles for pardon excited some little
interest. Baker was convicted of forging
deed and was sentenced to fourteen
years, three years of which have been
served. Before his conviction he was in the
Los Angeles Jail for two years. The latest
DEVELOPMENT is that he was convicted
upon the periured testimony of man
named Hoye who on his death bed made
full confession that he told lie in testi-
tying against Edwards. The prisoners
petition Tor pardon is indorsed by the
Los Angeles City Council, the Grand Jury
and the petit jury which convicted him,
Judge Ross. Stephen NJ. White, several
men VINO are and have been district at
torEeys and all the leading citizens of Los
Angeles.
]. /. Campbell of Ukiah presented a
protest of the citizens of Mendocino
County against releasing John Genochio.
who is serving long term for man,
slaughter for shooting ]. L. Burger to
death en- july 3, 1888. The two men had
been enemies and meeting in saloon the
quarrel was renewed and Genochio drew
revolver and fired five bullets into Bur.
gers body. The protest is made by Mrs.
Jane Edwards, the daughter of the mur.
dered man. The protest against the parole
| Is signed by over 800 residents of Mendo-