The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-23

dent disciple. and Tommy Mon
taigne, artful in cunning. Just three
plain. everyday lads, raiding apple
orchards together. stealing melons. or
playing ''hooky" from the old school
house on the hin TO swim beneath the
alders that overhung the creek.
Years passed Fate gave to the
wheel many q strange turn. Still We're
there three: Governor Wentworth,
Colonel Richards. warden of the State
penitentiary, and Monsieur Montaignc,
artful still. the world known conjuror
and prestidigitator.
There had been an unforeseen change
al the Capitol. At the last election
cambridge. on the face of the returns,
had received the largest vote ever cast
for a candidate of his party, but his
election was contested. and the Su-
preme Court declared fnvalid-through
misinterpretation of the new ballot law
the ballots of twenty-five counties,
which made no election-the old ma
jority law that gagged the voice of the
people was still in force-and threw the
choice OF a new administration into the
Legislature.
After two months of bitter wrangling
both houses threw off the yoke of the
bosses. got down close to the hearts of
the people. and. on strict party align
nent chose that old warhorse, General
wentworth, to I'LL the gubernatorial
chair
There had been an inaugural parade.
with all its pageantry and fiummery. In
the interim before the inaugural ball,
the Governor and Colonel Richards sat
in the Governors Office where through
the low windows, they could look out
over the city. to the Osteoga prison
in the eastern suburbs.
Jimmie. said the Governor, its
no secret that the State penitentiary
Of nd
ruption. My first official act has been
20 start hOuse-cleaning. Here" reach
ing for a paper on his desk, lis your
commission as warden, to take imme-
date effect"
But the board Of inspectors" OBJ
jected the colonel
Ever know the enemy to turn my
flank. when 1 was in command of the
Fourth Division? ] guess not, Remem-
ber Jimmie. that it's your superior
officer who is addressing you. Go over
there, give your officers and prisoners
military discipline and a square deal,
and turn the rascals-at least all those
among the oficers-out."
But" the colonel again objected.
no butts Jimmie. In military disci-
pline. Walk right in. and lay your. COM
mission on your predecessors desk II
he objects. well. the adjutant general
accompanies you. He has his orders,
and the Governors own are under or
oers at their armory. And, Jimmie
the board OF inspectors. individually,
have been summoned to the Capitol I'll
say a few things TO them. just
A few things to them, Individually
then. if there's the least sign of their
bucking you, just phone me, and
therein be something doing, I PR zs-<r
you. Now, Jimmie, you have y. = or
ders, the adjutant genera s, ris, and
is waiting for you"
Dprbans "a rder Rfcba rds .df1rst
force military discipline in the big
Osteoga prison among the twelve hum
dred prisoners and the hundred officers
alike. 1t was there. from "reveille"
10 taps. sounded by convict buglers
in the great prison halls. 1t showed
In the blue or gray military uniforms;
in the sharp click of the heels as a
convict drew up at attention and re-
spectfully saluted officer, who, as
respectfully, returned the salute. 1t
showed when the Governor visited the
prison every Sunday afternoon and the
thirty companies of forty men each
turned out for inspection and dress
parade.
1t was a balmy day in early Novem-
Der. Jimmie" said the Governor
when dress parade had been dismissed
and they were back in the warden's
Office. you're doing fine. mighty fine.
I've seen many a regiment that
couldn't touch you"
Thanks, Bill" drawled the warden
bashfully, for praise affected him like
a blushing school girl
zone thing. though" continued the
Governor, y saw men in gray today
who were in stripes a week ago and in
blue or gray the week before that.
How is it,"
See here. Bill. don't you get too
blamed inquisitive. I'm running the
Osteoga prison and I'm getting results
Oafc
he. II convict is sincerely repent
ant, what's the use Of keeping him in
punishment single day longer? When
he's gone wrong. admits it, he gets an
other chance If ] believe him sincerely
repentant. grade rules or no grade
rules, law or no law"
Work well2" queried the Governor
1T does, emphatically"
I've been thinking" said the Gov
ernor, that il would be q good plan
a mighty good idea, to take the lid off
little on Thanksgiving. There's the
'Tanglefoot Ministries billed for the
opera-house on Thanks giving night
Wen get 'em over here in the after
noon and kind OF give the men a little
relaxation. And If it's pleasant, turn
the men out in the yard in the morn
ing. How does that strike your"
You're too late, Bill; that's all at
tended TO long ago"
Was, eh2 Where do I come in?'
Christmas"
Christmas. Ell? May I be permitted
to inquire how2" asked the Governor
half-sarcastically, "since you're run
ming the whole show
The warden leaned forward his
whole soul in his words. bill, there's
a whole lot OF life men and longtime
men in here that ought to be outside
Neither the law, the people of the
state, nor, least of all, the men them
selves. are in any way benefited by
their staying here a single day longer"
Carrying your idea of restoring
men to grade when they have been
punished enough TO it's logical conclu-
sion, eh?"
Exactly. I can get bonds il neces-
sary from the employers. and place
fifty of these men. OF course that
number. nor half Of it. could be re-
leased at once. But, Bill, you could
pick out a dozen for Christmas. sand
witch in one or two now and then, and
these fifty men would be free. In
many other States. Bill, fifteen years
81 hahqvinr a life