The San Francisco call., 1905-06-12
MIGHT CONF FESS
FOR A PARDON
Adolph Steffens Shows Dis
position to Talk of the
Primary Election Frauds
INQUIRIES ABOUT "BOSS"
Convicted Stuffer Incredu-
lous When He Is Told
Maestretti Is Acquitted


Il might talk if there was a chance
of getting out of this place., said
Adolph Steffens, the ballot-box suffer,
to Call representative at San Quentin
yesterday The convict is chafing un-
der his three-ye sentence for dis
honest voting in the district in which
Frank A. Maestretti is the boss Stef-
fens seemed to realize his position more
keenly yesterday than he has hitherto
and was in somewhat of mood to talk.
1T is awful" he said. Il can't asso-
ciate with these men here. l am prac-
tically alone, and l have over two years
more of it to stand. Even when / get
out the disgrace will stick to me. Peo-
pie will say that / am an ex-convict."
And Steffens' eyes filled with tears
IF / could talk-well, it is better
for man in my position to say moth
ing" he continued. Il suppose that 1
will have to stand this. When 1 get
out 1 will live honestly and do the
best l can.
''Meastretti was acquitted? Well, 1
am glad of that. He has three mother
less children to look after. No, 1 can't
say that Maestretti is responsible for
anything. l won't say 1t. If he was
convicted l would not want to have
anything to do with sending him to
jail"
At times Steffens was on the point
'of breaking down altogether ..The
convicts here hate me because 1 will
have nothing to do with them," he
said It's awful to be thrown in with
thieves and murderers. One reason
why the other prisoners are sore at
me is because 1 was a fireman. They
say that firemen and hackmen are no
good because they stand in with the
police
Would you tell all that you know
about the happenings in that booth at
the primary election IL there was d
chance to get out of here?" was asked.
A look of tense eagerness appeared
on the convict's face. Il might-but
there is no chance of that now," he
said sadly. I'm in for it; had better
say nothing at ALL
And the follower of Maestretti swal-
lowed a big lump in his throat and
clutched the convict shirt as though he
restrained himself with an effort from
tearing it off.
WELL" he proceeded. after recovering
with an effort. they can't say l was a
thief or a crook, anyhow. l am going to
keep away from the other prisoners here
at any cost My God. / don't want to be
all through my life. When l do get out
of here crooks who have seen me in the
prison will try to talk to me. l can't get
away from it. 1t is awful
The prisoner inquired into the details
of the Maestretti trial with interest. He
seemed to be surprised when he was told
the result
he asked with an expression of marked
incredulity on his face.
| He was assured that it was true.
How many lawyers did Maestrett
have? How long was the jury out?'
| The prisoner seemed ver.- much inter
ested in the case of Rebstock. When told
that he had been recommended for mercy
by the jury, Steffens exclaimed: well
won't he go to States prison?"
There was touch of bitterness in his
voice and an exclamation on the tip OF
his tongue, but he recovered himself.
About a month ago Foreman Andrews
of the Grand Jury visited the prisoner
! Steffens was at first inclined to be com
municative, but after pri"ate interview
with his sister, the convicted ballot box
| suffer refused to talk further.
District Attorney Byfngton said last
night that there was even yet a chance
| for Steffens to regain his freedom if he
would give full information on the elec-
ton frauds. "Of course, that would be
up to the Governor of the State the Dis
| trict Attorney explained. But l have nc
doubt that if Steffens would tell all he
knew it would help him considerably
The Grand Jury is still working on the
election frauds. Foreman Andrews is
trying hard to collect enough evideQce to
warrant a second indictment against
Maestretti.
HE cannot be indicted on the same
charge, of course said District Attorney
Byington. "But if enough evidence is
gathered to warrant the belief that he at
tempted to induce some one else to per-
jure himself the Grand Jury may return
a second indictment for subornation tc
perjury"