New-York tribune., 1903-03-08
ON THE PACIFIC SLOPE
State Prison Conditions Disgrace
Mrs. Nation q Failure.

D.
San Francisco, March 6-The investigation Of
the two State prisons by legislative committees
has shown {. condition of affairs that is dis
grace to the State. At both prisons it was
found that until recently punishment by the
straitjacket was in common use, and several
convicts who testified had been crippled by
the cruel use Of this means of torture. It was
also shown that the moral atmosphere Of the
prisons was very bad, and that unnatural vices
were w,nked at by the officials No care was
taken to segregate old convicts from young Of
tenders, and the result was that mere boys were
corrupted by vicious association, and turned
out after short terms hardened criminals who
were beyond reform.
Heavy rains this week have fallen in all parts
of the State. and have done great good to grain
and fruit With these rains, the wheat and
barley crop is fairly assured, and the moisture
will cause fruit trees to blossom. From all the
reports received the acreage in grain this
son Will be larger than ever known before, and
the acreage of orchards in bearing Will also
| break the record.
From the reports received, it is evident that
fully fifty thousand visitors from the East will
attend the Grand Army encampment in San
Francisco next August This big crowd can
be handled by the railways and hotel people,
accommoda tions.
Mrs. Carrie Nation proved a fiat failure as an
attraction here, as she did not draw enough
people to pay the hall rent and gas. She made
Of her spectacular tours along Cocktail
route and through the Tenderloin district but
the public refused to take her seriously. She
made arrangements to hold a meeting at the
State University, but the authorities dscour-
cd hor
ton of the disorder seen at Yale and Harvard
Mascagni crowded TivoH Opera House three
nights this week, the programme being "Caval-
leria Rusticana" and selections from William
Ratcliffe' and Iris He led the large or
chestra, and had great ovation every evening"
So great was the demand for seats that the
management decided TO give three more con-
certs. with the same bill. next week. Kocian,
the young Bohemian violnist, has also received
very warm welcome.
Work has begun on the six-story office build
ing the south side Of Sutter-st., eighty feet
east Of Stockton-st. It will be of sandstone and
light colored brick.an terra Gotta. This block
Of Sutter-st, which was half covered by old
shanties one year ago, is now being improved
with fine office buildings.
The abolition by the State legislature Of the
old bank commission, in order to remove un-
desirable appointments made by Ex-Governor
Sage has left the State without any proper
regulations for the incorporation of banks.
The result is that a number of wildcat banks
have been started with large nominal capital
and a very small actual amount paid up. Two
of these banks were incorporated this week by
Martin Kelly, a professional political boss OF
San Francisco Unless a new law is enacted
st once much trouble will result from these
hanks. which are called upon to furnish no
guarantee to depositoTs.
Young Patrick Murphy, son OF Bank Com
mission. Barney" Murphy, Of San Jose was
accidentally shot and killed this week by the
premature discharge of a pistol in the hands
of q friend He was popular and belonged to
q wealthy family that has been prominent In
Santa clara County for over fifty years.
Commander Schroeder returned from Guam
.+'s uzAeI and gave statement Of a favorable
,,eg,pn,nq IN paying attention to sanitary laws
snd showing that a great adTance IN intelii-
sance NAV he expected as th& result OF the
operating OF the public school, ?