The San Francisco call., 1897-05-29
Impotent Rage of the
MutineerS at San
Quentin.
Spend a Night Shrieking and
Banging Against Iron
Cell-DoorS.
VIII Be Kept on Bread and Water
Until They Consent to Re-
sumo Work.

SAN QUENTIN PRISON, CAL, May 2s.
Never before in the history of San Quen-
tin prison has there been such season of
tumult and excitement as that OF last
night. The !20 prisoners who rebelled
and refused to work in the big jutemiil
combined to make night hideous and
shrek upon shrek rent the air, while an
incessant banging against the massive iron
doors added to the racket and confusion.
There was little opportunity for sleep in the
prison last night on account of the noise.
To-day it was more quiet, although the
hammering and bowling was heard at in
tervals throughout the morning and dur
ing the afternoon.
Within the confines of the great stone
wall, securely locked in solitary confine-
ment, 720 men are living upon bread and
water and with this frugal fare they must
be content until they come to terms With
out a doubt the revolt was instigated by
the opium fiends, who melted the men 10
refuse to submit TO the rules of the prison.
Every prisoner has different complaint
to make. The food supplied by the State
is declared to be insufficient, but it is an
indisputa bic fact that the prisoners are
fed much better than many family in
TO work.
Not long ago President Fitzgerald OF
the Board of Prison Directors visited
the big penitentiary and inspected the
food which was supplied to the prisoners
every day. This morning Warden W. E.
Hale received dispatch from him stating
that the Prison Directors would stand by
the warden in all he did, as they were
convinced be was in the right.
The demands 0f tho man
will not be granted. The bread and water
diet will be continued until the last man
OF them gives in.
The revolt has proved the reliability of
the guards. While their position is one
1raught with danger the guards to a man
have braYely faced the ordeal and not one
has flinched. The blue coated sentinels
are within call at all times now. At n
given signal every guard in the prison
will take a position and stand ready to
carry out the orders OF Warden Hale.
1--WE are in the right" said the Warden
to-day, land will bring the men 10 time.
We have been endeavoring to locate the
ring-leaders but this is difficult task"
The men are where they can do no harm.
To escape is an utter impossibility, and
were they 10 get loose the shining Calling
guns in The guardhouses overlooking the
walls are trained upon the exits and at a
turn of the crank will belch death to those
who attempt to leave.
Heretofore at various times the request
of the convicts have been in some degree
respected, but the present revolt is one
without reason, and the prison authori-
ties intend to allow no dictation from the
prisoners under them. As fast as the
leaders can be detected they are led to the
dungeons, and there in the damp dark K
cells. upon bread and water diet, they
will have the opportunity to repent at
leisure.
The great jutemill was silent to-day.
The wheels were not revolving, for the
men who are confined in the gloomy cells
are its only woEkmen. The. Inanufactur-
ing OF lute bags has, of course, been sus-
pended, and at a time when they are
greatly in demand.
The last revolt IN the jutemill lasted
four days before the strikers were ready
to leave the fare of bread and water and
return to work. This mutiny is more
serious. Over 700 are involved and they
are bowling in their frenzy.