Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-01-03
The LEGISLATURE.
Caucuses, Conferences, Consultations, Can
didates-The Buzzing. Buttorhol-
ing, Busting Business Of
the Beginning.

ing, Busting Business Of
the Beginning.
Another year has passed away. and again
the hotels of Sacramento are thronged with
legislators aud their following of office-seek-
ers. While some of the former class is still
absent, the latter is here to man, and even
more than usually conspicuous for its num-
bers. To-day at II NJ. the twenty-fourth ses-
sion of the Legislature of California will open
in this city. In anticipation of the event the
various hotels have for the past few days pre-
sented an extremely animated appearance.
Legislators from the various sections of the
State have met and busted themselves in the
interchange of opinions and the discus
sion of projects for the organization
Of their respective houses. What heretofore
was vague rumor has been assuming tangi-
be shape and the dimly outlined plans OF
politicians have become rapidly crystallized
into courses of action. In consequence of
the fact that the Republican party has a
working majority in both branches of the
Legislature, and can control the organization
of both Senate and Assembly, more life and
vigor is displayed in its ranks than il those
of the disheartened Democracy. Naturally
enough the candidates for offices are all Of
one political complexion. and the Demo-
cratic members are uutroubled by the solicita-
tons of those DESTROYS of positions. The
Republican legions, however, are not thus
quiet and undisturbed. Antago aistic
factions are earnestly seeking to as
E1rt how CfftAg tl.tE hh
ness which generally characteIizes political
fights is absent from this contest among the
Republicans, and, despite the energy with
which they urge their conflicting opinions,
they seem unanimous in the determination to
preserve a united front when it CONES to a
vote. There are rumors flying about to the
effect that two Republican Assemblymen
have announced their intention of abseuting
themselves from the caucus. Ii this be true
and they persist in their resolution, it
will tie the House when it comes to the
organization, and in such an event they might
be able to dictats their own terms, with
every probability of their being accepted
The chief interest centers ON the Speaker
ship of the Assembly, for which Office Hon.
w. Il. Parks of Marysville has by far the
best chance of success. His friends claim that
his election is foregone conclusion. They
point to his ability as parliamentarian, and
say that under his Speakership the necessity
for an extra session will be avoided.
THE UNITED STATES sENAToRsHIP.
Present appearances point to General
Miller as the next United States Senator from
California. 1t is true the list Of his OPP
ponents includes two of the most illustrious
names in the State, but he undoubtedly has
the majority of votes in his party, and IN the
game of American politics as in that OF war,
Providence has always been noticed to favor
the side which had the heaviest battalions
The other aspirants for the Senatorial
toga, so far as yet heard from, are Sen
ator Newton Booth. the present incumbent
of the Office, whose term expires on the 4th
of next March, and j. Mem. Shafter, a
delegate to the late Constitutional Conyen-
ton and large landowner in Marin county.
The best-iuformed p)liticians-those who
have had the largest experience in California
politics, and whose opportunities of observa
ton are acknowledged to be better than those
of other men-declare that there exists 20
real indication of any inharmony in the Re
publican caucus, and that General Miller will
have a little
OVER TWo-THIRDS
OF the votes of the caucus on the first bal
lot. This opinion appears to be shared
by the friends of other aspirants for Senate
rial honors One of the gentlemen repre-
senting Senator Booths fight prominently
declared yesterday afternoon that he would
return to San Francisco either to-day or to-
morrow, which expression is regarded by the
friends of General Miller and other csndi-
dates as concession that Senator Booth has
no longer any living show of election.
As far as can be learned from the Demo-
Gratis, Judge William T. allace will BE- their
70 f,r ba - -,
and as yet no one has been heard of who de-
sired to dispute with him the honor of the
nomination. One of the most noticeable feat
ures of the present Senatorial coahict is the
fact that General Miller is not present and
will not he present during the election of
Senator While room No at the Golden
Eagle is known as his headquarters, it is only
a meeting place for his friends. No one is
here making his fight, and drinks and cigars,
the old-time auxiliaries of United States SEN
atorial contests, are not brought into requisi.
ton by either General Miller or his friends.
CANDIDATES FOR SPEAKER.
As is usually the case in election &
of all Offices of honor or profit, a
lively preparatory contest is in pro 9ress
for the Spealzership If the Assembly.
The candidates are w. H. Parks, of Yuba
David Mcclure of San Francisco; Thomas
Fraser, of Ell Dorado; J. N. Young,
of Sacramento j. L. Hale, of Placer,
and Chancellor Harrison, of Napa.
So far as can be determined the battle seems
to lie between Parks of Yuba, a legislator
and parliamentarian Of experience, and Hart
son Of Napa, who was a member of the last
Assembly. Mcclure is well known attor-
ney OF the metropolis, a shrewd and self
possessed politician and the author of the
Mcclure charter. Hale was a member of
the Constitutional Convention. and one of
the Republican nominees in 1872 for the Su-
preme Court, and Fraser was Speaker pro TEN.
of the last Assembly. On Saturday evening
some twenty-five Republican Assemblymen
met in conference at the Capitol, with
S.reeter Of San Bernardino in the Chair, and
Leach of Solano as Secretary No debate
was had over the claims of candidates, but a
sentiment was expressed for speedy organiza-
ton and occasional caucusing
REPUBLICAN, CAUCUS TO-DAY:
1t was resolved that caucus be held at
$50 o'clock this morning, when the Speaker
ship will be considered. AS the contest now
is, the odds appear to be with Parks, who
nevertheless might perhaps be defeated, in
the event of combination of rival candi-
dates, rather improbable event. AT a
meeting held recently, at which were present
Parks, Mcclure, May, Hoitt and Lewis, of
San Francisco; Reddicl1 of Calaveras, Pat
terson of San joaquin, Leach OF Solano, and
Jones of Calaveras, Parks declared him
self a candidate, aud was warmly eulo-
gized by Messrs. Hoitt and May. 1t is
claimed that Parks has pledged to him
twenty.six votes. Fraser has no material
support Harrison is indifferent; Mcclure
will not carry his candidacy to any great ex-
tent, being willing to retire from the contest
on the condition that in the event of Parks
success he shall be given the Craftsmanship OF
the Judiciary Committee. Hence, as was
previously remarked, the chances of Parks
are decidedly the best.
THE CHIEF CLERKsHIP
OF the Assembly is aspired to by C. E. Gum,
of Santa Clara, the very able Clerk of the
last Assembly, and George E. McStay, a
popular young attorney of Stockton, San
Joaquin county. 1t is reported that Gum
will have comparatively easy victory. Baker
is conducting the canvass for McStay, while
luck and Hoover are actively employed in
the interest of Gum. For Sergeant-at-Arms
the aspirants are r NJ. Apgar of San Fran
cisco, ex-Bailiff of the Police Court, r. w.
Parker of Sacramento, the last Sergeant-at-
Arms, E. Walters of Sacramento, and j. II.
MahoDey Of Oakland. Apgar, Parker and
Walters, who are each well qualified for the
position for which they are laboring, look
equally smiling and confident as to the result.
Mahoney is not believed to have any prob
able chance of winning, n. Morn has also
been mentioned as a candidate, but does not
DC vat annoar with any Drominence in the