Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-10
SENATE SENSATION.
An Extraordinary Night Session Senator
Kane in Jail

binary session last night-that is, it was an
extraordinary session with extraordinary sur
roundings and results.
The special order last night was the CON
sideration of the case of Senator Thomas
Kane, OF San Francisco, who was held as
having committed contempt of the Senate
in refusing to disclose who was the great un-
known that, as he alleges, sought to buy him
with greenbacks to vote for the debris bill.
The testimony In kane's case has been fully
reported from day to day in the RECORD
UNION, and its readers are well informed as
to all there Is in the case. In brief,
NOTHING WAS PROVED.
The committee shifted suspicion in every
nook and corner, but the only thing I'M
earthed was Kane, and the stubborn refusal
of the bribee to disclose who was the briber
Last evening at 7:30 o'clock the Senate met
to finish up the case. knowledge of this fact
drew together a vast assemblage. Every
Senator was in his seat the Assemblymen
left their hall and hocked to the Senate cham
Der ladies crowded the aisles, and special
guests
FILLED EVERY NOOK AND CORNER.
Every ichair, box, stool, step, and even
some of the spitoons were in use to accom-
modate spectators with seats. Nothing that
was capable of being sat upon with any de-
gree Of comfort, came amiss to the eager
throng 1t was a regular pack within the
bar, in all the aisles and passage ways, and
wherever human being could squeeze HIM
self or herself. Outside the rail the lobby
was q jam, in which tall men enjoyed a privi-
lege accorded only to those whom nature had
blessed with long legs.
UP ALoFF
In the gallery there was pack equal TO any
thing ever seen in the Senate gallery on any
former occasion. Indeed, the crowd above,
the eager expectancy of the mass below, the
crush of humanity in the lobby, the gravity
of the Senators, the seriousness of the pro-
ceedings, all went to make the session the
field day 10y night of the Senate of 1880,
and if the eccentric Kane takes any pride in
nOtoriety, he must have congratulated himself
upon having been the biggest card of
the season and of having played an emf
nently successful engagement last evening
The proceedings lasted until just before mid
night. They were characterized by debate
of an unusual order, in which skill in legisla-
tive tactics, deep seriousness, marked feeling,
and occasional bitterness, were manifest. The
debate was one which scintillated now and
then with real eloquence, and in which
flashed keen and trenchant blades, caustic
wit and biting sarcasm, and which through
out was as grave and serious as any debate
probably which could occur in the body 1t
was characterized by warm and
MOVING APPEALS
To the sympathies by lofty and patriotic ex-
pressions, by statesmanlike expositions OF
the duty of Senators under their oaths, and
by tits and encounters between armored par
liamentarians, that were to the spectators like
intoxicants and led them many time to the
very verge of applause, restrained only by
the atmosphere of gravity and weighty i'm
portance pervading the whole scene.
THE FIGHT.
Dickinson opened the ball with a resolu-
ton to expel Kane. EnOs followed with an
amendment to suspend and an appeal for
9 Honest Tom," whom he declared to be the
victim of an overwhelming superstition and
an unconquerable suspicion. Dickinson re-
piled with weighty plea for the maintenance
of the dignity of the Senate. Cheney fol-
lowed with an eloquent exhaustive plea for
Kane, because he didn't really know any bet
ter than to do as he had DONE and for whom
the speaker believed suspension was punish
ment enough. Enos followed in a fervent
appeal and presented long letter from
Kane, admitting his error and generally tax
ing the back track, but still giving no name.
Then came Sears for the amendment, he
causeof the eccentric character of Kane, fol-
lowed by johnson, who, scarcely able to
stand, and suffering great pain, yet made an
eloquent argument for expulsion, bitterly de-
nouuced the offense of Kane, declared in
thrilling terms in favor of American institu-
tions and ideas as against the superstitions Of
ireland entertained by Kane. Davis and
(fouuar undecided n IN IL hot O11ubt RI bo fba
punishment; Nye and Neumaun for expul-
sion; Sears against, Johnston for law
and its enforcement and then roll-cails
and votes and excitement, a sharp set
to between Enos and johnson and Satter-
white, In which the polished steel of debate
gave forth sparks that fairly filed the air,
and then more roll-calls, until both the ex
pulsion and suspension resolutions failed !;
Neumann's plan to give Kane till Monday to
purge himself of contempt failed; Enos'
second plan-to suspend him till Friday
was Withdrawn; Johnson's sarcastic resolu-
ton to thank Kane for keeping his word in
preference to his Senatorial oath was with
drawn, and then Dickinson's resolution to
SEND KANE TO THE COUNTY JAIL
Passed, and Immediately the Senate adj
journed in great confusion. 1t was then
nearly midnight, and up to that hour the
iDSudJS CHdnuef. galleries ana loDDleS re-
manned packed, very few having left the
room, and so deeply interesting were the pro-
ceediHgs, and so thoroughly were the auditors
permeated with the excitement of the scene,
that it is probable that the mass of them
would have remained till daybrea1 if the
Senate had continued in session.
Kane was all this time in the Sergeant at
Arms room, walking nervously back and
forth, or tossing nervously from chair to
chair. Informed of the decree in his case,
he announced his readiness to go to jail His
friends rushed off in hack to hunt up freed
Raymond, to have him aid them in getting
out writ of habeas corpus. while groups
gathered in the halls and offices, and
discussed the case pro and con-, some
holly, some coolly. but most excitedly. At
l O'clock this morning Sergeant WATSON
received the commitment signed by President
pro tenn. Baker and Secretary Boruck. The
prisoner was put into a carriage, and at 1:l5
A. NJ. Jaiier Orn was reused up and the Ser
gsaut.at-Arms delivered Kane to his custody.
Some of the prisoners friends said to him, as
he stood i'll the large open corridor of the Jail,
You can just stay out here, Kane
Kane-Oh, yes I'll lay ON bench here.
0rn-No, sir. [ cannot permit any one
given over to me to stay out here. You will
have to 60 in to one of the cells. I'll give
you clean, comfortable cell and good bed.
Kane-Oh. that's all right. I'm satisfied.
A RECORD U MON representative, when the
Sergeant and Kane's friends had retired, had
a chat with the prisoner, in which he reiter-
ated his determination not to yield to the
Senate, and said he would rot IN prison first
Concerning the proposed writ of habeas cor
pus, be exhibited ignorance Of what proceed
ings that called for, or what Court would
have jurisdiction in the case, and said he
knew nothing of what was being done by bis
friends in regard TO the writ. Shortly after
the iailer locked the Senator up in one of tie
iron cells, and so ended the second chapter.
ODD FELLOWS PIovIo. The annual picnic
this year of the Odd Fellows will be held at
Comstoc1l's Grove, on the west bank of tie
Sacramento river. about u miles above the
city, Excursionists will be conveyed to the
grounds by two steamers and two barges.
The barges viii be completely and securely
rallied in so as to avoid eyeu possibility OF
accident, mfortable seats provided and well
shaded. There will be band of music en-
n