I might state here that of all my experiences with jail life—covered by my confinement in the Alameda City jail for four days, the Alameda County jail for twelve days, and my incarceration in the Multnomah County jail from June, 1906, to January 6, 1908—I consider the latter the best conducted institution of its kind I ever encountered. It may be added, however, that the treatment accorded me by Chief of Police Conrad during my brief stay as his guest, could not be surpassed. He certainly exercises a humane spirit in the conduct of the Alameda City jail, but naturally his facilities are inferior to those connected with the Portland institution.
Robert L. Stevens, the Sheriff of Multnomah County, is without doubt the right man in the right place. I had ample opportunity to study conditions during my long stay in his charge, and am in a position to state with every degree of sincerity that his management of affairs could hardly be improved upon. He is kind and courteous to all, and at the same time commands the respect and confidence of those in his keeping. He is a man of courage and high character, and I do not believe he has ever had a prisoner that has failed to take a personal pride in conducting himself in such a manner as to reflect credit upon Mr. Stevens' administration.
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