Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-09-07
EVENING srss1oy.

law department.
Judge W. II. Beatty, attorney -at-law, and
formerly ex ofhcio Trustee Of the Nevada
State Library, thought MIR. Wallis was very
obliging and courteous, and rendered him
great assistance in hunting mp certain French
tanning their standing as authorities.
Geo. E. Bates, Henry L. Buckley, Elwood
Bruner, and Chauncey L Dunn, attorn sys-
at law. all residents of Sacramento. followed
each other in rapid succession. and gave the
same general testimony as the first two called
during the evening session.
A. Z. Goddard, who is interested in astro-
nomical studies, corroborated the evidence
given by previous witnesses, and said that
once. about the time Of the transit Of Venus,
be "wanted to get the
LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE OF LIoK's oBsERv.
AToRY
Connected with this" He had recaiyed as
sissance from Mr.. Wallis, and stated that
"he referred me to the State Engineer"
This, witness said. was all the assistance he
had received from Mr.. Wallis in the matter
Witness insisted on telling all he knew about
the transit Of Venus, latitude, longitude,
etc., but the combined counsel and Board
ceeded in stopping him and getting him off
the witness stand.
Mrs. j. b. Zimmerman wss recalled and
started to relate the circumstances of the cen
versation she had with Mr.. Wallis on the
train. when Mr.. Holl interrupted with
"Wait a moment"
Witness-You wait moment.
MIR. Holl-Won't you wait moment,
please?
Witness-No. l asked him about that let
ter. l said, " You dide'tgive me the true in
wardness of it"
Mr.. Holl-Didn't you repeat that yester-
day?
Witness VERY emphatically Yes, sir and
told the truth. l haven't anything mora to
say about it. I told the truth about it, and
that's all know about it.
This witness was as voluble az the proceed
ing one, and after she said she knew no more
about the matter than related the day previ-
Gus, the Board joiaed with Mr.. Holl and Euc-
ceeded, after time, in shutting her off,"
Trustee Oven recalled. Question by coun-
sci johnson: Mr.. Owen, you are now and
have been for the past i've or six yeaTs,
Jose Mercury?
Mr.. Owen-Yes, air.
Mr.. Holl-I object, etc.
Chairman-There is no telling what this
will lead up to. The objection Is ovsrruled.
Counsel Johnson-That's all
Mr.. Holl-rhat's ALL
Counsel Jchnson-Mr. Wallis, please take
the stand.
Mr.. Wallis took the stand, and book was
given him. which he said was a scrsp.book
kept by himself A scrap was shown w.t.
ness, who said it appeared in the San Jose
Mercury of March 4 1888.
Ths scrap was offered in evidence. Oh
jected to and admitted. 1t reads as follows,
being headed,
AN eBLIGIEG OFFICIAL"
One of the best managed departments of the Cap
ltol is the State Library. The Librarian, T. H.
Wallis, Is the most accommodating officer in the
building and apparently contestiDg for the same
honor are all of his assistants. ANY favors asked
in the State Library department are cheerfully
complied with, and with the never to be-forgotten
care and earnestness which inspires the applicant
with an everlasting remembrance OF the courtesy
and assistance he receives. Many public servants
to use q vulgar term, "get too big for their
breeches," and have about them an air of import
ance and "tOuch me not dignity and indifference
that is very disateiul, not to say disgusting. to
those who understand the relation that an officer
bears to the public. The public to be congr ,tu-
lated upon the fact that at least important
State institution is free from this feature. The
State Library Board will be about the only one left
TO the present management II would be difficult
for Democrats to find good cause reasonable Pre-
tense for interfering with the library officers with
the eulogistic report of the Assembly Committee
headed by as sterling Democrat az DR.. Brceand,
before them. This report states that the library
has been in such excellent condition, and it
devotes to the Librarian and those in the hbraryas
employees, a OF praise for capabili tY,
studiousness, falthfulness and economy which has
never been stated Of any OF their predecessors
more complimentary report, or Il more deserved
one has never been presented Of any officer OF the
State and prolonged visit to the library will sat
isfy any impartial person that this high praise is
fully sustained.
Witness Wallis was asked about the let
tiers which It ia charged he unlawfully opened,
and was told to relate sll the circumstances.
Mr.. Holl objected on the ground that the
witness refused to answer questions when
placed on the stand by the prosecution, and
urged that he should not now be allowed to
testify.
After lengthy argument the objection
was sustained, the Board claiming that the
witness was practically in
CONTEMPT OF THE BOARD,
And would not be allowed to answer any
questions until he had purged himself Of such
contempt by answering such questions as are
proper and may be asked by counsel foz the
prosecution.
This argument did not end, however, with
the ruling, but was continued between the
Board and counsel for Mr. Wallis.
During this discussion Judge Wallis Of
C unsel msds the frat argument he had made
during the proceedings.
For about three qusrters OF an hour the
matter was discussed pro and con by tins Ii
brarians counsel and the Board. and the
former, by their tenscty, succeeded to some
extent, for the Board set aside its rulisg and
agreed to have the matter hesrd and passed
on by full Bolrd. The defense announced
that they were then ready to adjourn to San
Francisco and there finish the investigation.
Mr.. Holl said be had ore mora witness ne
W she'd to examine-John E. I. Pike of Well,
Fargo & Co.'s office-to prove that Mr.. Pike
was tbs man who stood at the other cod of
the telephone and received the message from
the Secretary of States Office, and to prove
other important matters in regard to the let
ter. If the opposing counsel would rot adj
NIT that the man would testify substantially
TO what counsel said he would, then counsel
would insist on holding another nesting in
Sacramento. After considerable discussion
it was agreed that two OF counsel should re-
duce Mr. Pixies statement to writing, when
il might be offered az evidence.
The Board directed that the reporter
should at once transcribe his notes, md also
that the acting Secretary, Mr.. Gum. should
have 80 copies Of the testimony printed at
the State Printing Office.
meet in San Francisco at the call Of the
Chsirman. and upon FIVE days notice bsing
given to counsel on each side.
The POLICE JUDGEsHIP. There seems TO
be something SO exciting about elections that
some people never appear to get enough Of
them-especially IL the elections do not re.
suit in accordance with party choice. Ex-
policeman John Shellsrs wants to increase the
elections by having new Police Judge elected
this fall in placs of Judge Henry, who was
elected last October for the term of two years.
To this end he has raised by subscription the
sum of $3.50 for counsel fees, for the purpose
of BUSTING the present Police Msgis-
trate, persoventure one of other
party predictions might be the com
ing man. A week ago last Mondsy,
as preliminary step in this direction. Shell
lars, by his attorneys, made applicant to
the Board OF Trustee, requesting that they
| a ilspo, So ha oil