The record-union., 1897-11-17
PRESTON SCHOOL AFFAIRS.
THE TRUSTEES CONSULT WITH
GOVERNOR BUDD.
No Definite Action Yet Taken in
the Matter of an Inves-
tigation.

tlgat1Ou.
Another chapter was added TO the
Preston School of Industry muddle yes
terday, at which time the Trustees o.
that institution, DR.. TyrreH OF TINS
city, Hon. S. ]. Maddux of Modesto anc
Hon. +, M. Preston of Grass Valley
and the Superintendent, DR.. OBrlen
met with Governor Budd in the latter
private office to determine whether
method could be devised for stralSht-
enlng out the tangle into which mat
terS pertaining to the school have IaA'
len.
Governor Budd opened proceedings by
informing his auditors that personally
he had no right to make, or to order
an investigation into the manner III
which the school is being, and has beer
conducted, or the part the Superinten-
dent, DR.. O'Brien, had performed. The
Constitution, the Governor continued
made it the duty of Boards of Trustees
of State institutions to investigate al
matters pertaining to such institutions
and that the Governor is allowed to act
only in an advisory capacity.
He stated, however, that the Gov
ernor has an entire right to look tc
such Board of Trustees tor report OF
such Investigations as they may See
lit to make, and, if necessary, to in
vestigate such boards proceedings anC
demand from them a report in full.
Each one of you" the Governor con-
tlnued, is in receipt of a letter / ad-
dressed to you some time ago, and as
1t fully sets forth my position in this
affair l will read it."
The letter referred to by the Govern
or, is as follows.
THE GOVERNORS LETTER.
Executive Department, Sacramento, No
Vember 10, 1897.
To the Trustees of the Preston Schoo
o. ndustry-Gentlemen: You We're ap
pointed under the Act of February 1888
10 manage the Preston School of Industry
and charged by said Act with the genera
government and supervision of said school
1he Governor OF the State is neither g
member of your board, nor has he au.
thcrlty to manage said institution; his
powers are merely supervisory and advis-
ory, to which end he may require informa
llon from you upon any subject relating
10 your duties. (Act v, Sec. 6, Civil Code.
But as 1 said in my message to the Leg
1sJature, IF the Governor is to be held re-
sponsible for the conduct of the depart
ments,; whose incumbents he names, he
should be given control of those function
aries, etc. Such control has not beei
given.
These observations are called for by the
letter of one of the Trustees, asking for
an investigation, as to matters of which
you should at all times be in a position
to furnish me information.
You have stated meetings, are brought
In contact with Superintendent, officers
end students of the school, and had abuses
charged existed, why did they not reach
cannot imagine.
Though not Trustees, under my pow
ers as Governor, / have, since taking Of
nce had the institution visited many times,
and its condition and management re-
ported to me. and you we'll remember that
/ have discussed with you from time TO
time matters l deemed required correc-
ton.
The Board of Examiners sent Secretary
OF State Brown and John Markley to in
NeStigate affairs at the institution, COM
ing within its powers, and it is but one
month since l called you, gentlemen, to-
gether that we might discuss the affairs
OF the institution, and then had Secretary
of State Brown and Mr.. Merkley both give
you the benefit of a report of their visit
l have never interfered with the man.
agement, never directly or indirectly Sug-
Sested during the two years Mr. Banks
was Superintendent single appointee 10
him, and since DIR. O'Brien's incumbency
suggested more than two persons to him
Tor appointment. and then only when no
tifled that vacancies existed, or would
exist, that must be filled.
My policy as to this and similar State in
stitutions was stated in my biennial mes
sage, when I said: Il favor placing the
Insane Asylums and other similar State
institutions of the State absolutely upon
a civil service basis, and will co-opera te
with your honora BILE body TO that end. Such
law should provide for an equalization
of the political complexion of the present
officers and employees of these institutions;
also, prohibit all officers and en-
ployes from being members of a
ticns are to be conducted in the interest
OF the state and the unfortunates this
course should be pursued"
All that lies in my power to do-eXcept
to pardon the inmates. and thus close the
institution-has been done
| have requested your presence to-day
for the purpose of requesting from you full
Information as TO the manner in which
the officers of your institution have dis
charged their duties, and as to what, if
any. abuses exist or have existed in its
management. ] desire to notify you that
under the law on you rests the entire re
sponsibility for the proper management OF
am responsible for your appointments.
Yours truly,
JAMES II. BUDD. Governor.
The Governor next referred to the
official visit made to the school by Sec
1etary of State l.. H Brown. and Sec
retary of the Board of Examiners John
Markley, and stated that it had been
made under the direction of the State
Board of Examiners for the purpose of
learning as nearly as possible. the con-
dition of things at the institution.
Messrs. Brown and Marl1ley, the Gov
ernor said, had submitted their re-
port, which was comprehensive and to
the point, and which both Trustees and
Superintendent were at liberty TO ex-
anime.
BROWN AND MARKLEY'S REPORT
The report referred to by the Governor
is all he claimed for it, and follows
herewith in full:
SACRAMENTO, October II, 1897.
To the Honorable, the State Board of
Examiners, Recommendations In
compliance with your Instructions on Oc-
tober s. 1897. we visited and inspected the
Preston School of Industry, and respect
fully submit the following as report
thereof:
The Preston School Of Industry. at the
time of said Inspection. had 1S5 male in
mates There We're boys ranging In ages
from to q years committed for all the
offences in crime with the execution of
taking human life) from felony TO petty
larceny. together with a number sent 70
n