The record-union., 1898-12-04

cost of construction a compare lively
small item.
I'VE suggest that the Legislature
may profitably consider the indetermin-
ate sentence system, as employed in
other States advanced in the science
of penology, with view to the passage
of similar laws to apply to our prisons.
Under existing statutes, we release men
almost daily who have learned no les
son from confinement or discipline, and
confessedly go out to prey again upon
society. We believe a much better
body of results would be reached if,
in the majority of cases, sentences were
not for a. fixed period but were made,
within certain limits, dependent on evil
dence of reformation, to be determined
by proper officers.
Among the praiseworthy acts of
your administration, we are confident
that you will look back with more sat
isfaction to none than the effort you
have made to remove the prisons of
this State from politics. At the outset
you advised the members of our board
that it was your wish that no official
who was performing his duties accept
ably should be disturbed in his posi-
tion. This rule it has BEEN our pleasure
to enforce. AS a. result we can re-
port that the efficiency of the service
at both prisons has never before reach
ed SO high point, and that this is due
to the fact that subordinates under
stand that their tenure of Office de-
pends entirely on their own trust
worthiness, there can be no manner OF
on the subject, we unhesitaingly as
sert that prisons are the last institu-
tions in which the official lists should
be held out aus prizes for political serv-
ice. Men who are capable of dealing
with the complex problems of convict
control are rare and when found should
not be displaced.
THE jute industry at Sam Quentin
is on a most satisfactory basis so far
| as output is concerned. The mill is
producing more burlap' and at a less
cost of manufacturing than ever be-
fore in it's history Unfortunately, ow-
| ing to short crops, we have been COM
PEELED to carry over 100000 grain
| bags; nevertheless the fianancial ex-
| hibit is especially gratifying. We have
succeeded in marketing enough to fill
| the revolving fund of 100000, and
retain sufficient money for present op
| Grating expenses We reiterate the
| statement made in our former reports
| that large direct financial returns can
hardly be expected from this industry.
However it unquestionably serves an
important purpose in preventing gradn
! bag combinations and in assuring cheap
sacks to our farmers-a class who have
needed all the assistance the State could
give them in late years. As the mill
also furnishes employment to prison
ers without conflicting with free labor,
perhaps it is the best form Of indus
| try that could be devised within our
present legaf limitations.
Under the terms of an Act author
| izing the employment of a certain
number of prisoners in the construc-
ton of a public highway in Marin
County, we have built nearly eight miles
of modern road, being a section Of what
| is known as the Tiburon boulevard.
An inspection of this admirable work
may perhaps suggest the employment
of convict labor ON a larger scale in
similar enterprises, where the cost is
too great TO permit the use Of free Ia
| bor.
I'VE regret to state that orders for
| the output of the rock crusher at Fol-
som have fallen to a minimum, as
| shown by Warden AulPs report Nei-
ther is there anything in the outlook
that justifies q hope for the renewal of
business on a sufficient scale to keep
the plant operating Gven half the time
The necessity of providing some means
| of profitable employment for the pris-
oners at that penitentiary is therefore
one of extreme urgency, and we trust
that you will impress the fact upon the
Legislature Warden Aull points to
the large profits earned from the tillage
of a small area of arabic land en-
braced in the prison domain, and We
| join him earnestly in recommending the
purchase of a large tract of agTicult-
ural land in the neighborhood of Fol-
som as an adjunct of the institution.
Such a farm would furnish employ
ment to a large body of convicts and,
judging by results, would go far to-
ward making the prison self-support-
ing. 1t would not interfere with any
established industry or the interest of
free labor, for operations might be
confined to raising those staple prod
ucts the price of which would not pos
sibly be affected by our competition.
| 1T gives us pleasure to acknowledge
the fidelity of the Wardens, clerks and
other officials of both prisons to the
interests of the State. To yourself, per-
sonally. we extend our sincere thanks,
not only for the many courtesies re-
| ceived at your hands, but also for the
confidence you have indicated in the
integrity and discretion of our board.
/ we beg leave to assure you that our
appreciation will last long after our
official relations have ceased.
'(Signed) Robert NJ. Fitzgerald, Don
Ray, James H. Wilkins, Daniel E.
Hayes
Devlin's supplementary Report.
niroctnr Ilon,lirn,r SrIr,r,1err,o r,t.er.1r 70