Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-04-24
ASSEMBLY,.

The House met at 10 a. NJ Speaker La Rue in
the chair, and quorum found present Journal
read and approved McSSrS. Stewart and Sweet
land were granted indefinite leave of absence
on account of illness.
The Committee on Ways and Means reported
back Assembly Bill No. 81, making the second
appropriation 10 pay the expenses of the extra
session of the Legislature and other matters in
cidental thereto, and recommended its passage
Field introduced bill amending Section 36l7
of the Political Code relative to the definition of
terms i'll the title ON revenue.
Campbell introduced a bill relative TO the
same subject
Consideration of Assembly Bill No 4G, to leg
islate out of Office Railroad Commissioners Car
penter and Humphreys. and for other purposes
which was under discussion AT the close of Tues
days proceedings was resumed.
Beard of Stanisaus made highly infamma
tory speech in favor of the removal of the Com
missioners, in which he declared himself ready
to pass the death sentence on the personnel of
the Commission and corporations. He thought
this was perhaps the only way to avoid civil
war.
Bowers of Marin said the railroad company
discharged employees because they refuse to
obey orders and instructions The people have
the same right to discharge Humphreys and
Carpenter for refusing to do the same thing, and
he should vote to give them that opportunity.
Stevens spoke for nearly q half hour wander
ing over the rights and wrongs of corporations,
but finally closed without having referred in
any way To the question before the House.
Granger addressed the Assembly for some
! twenty minutes, vigorously opposing the SubStl-
tute bill of the committee
Briceland made an appeal for the substitute,
and urged, with much spirit, speedy action on
| the part of the Assembly.
Johnston said whenever party came into
power it was their first act 10 introduce meas
ureS in the Legislature to remove those holding
office of opposite political faith. He took up the
bill. No 46, introduced by Granger of Butte,
read it section by section, arguing upon each OF
them, and plainly showed that the operations of
the bill would be wrong in principle, and as the
speaker denominated it, au unjust and wicked
measure.
Irwin spoke in favor of his bill and read a
communication from Judge Johnson, of Iolo,
covering the subject
Granger replied to Johnston of Napa and
asked when and by what means Johnston be-
came censor of the House.
Ryan said: The proposed constitutional
/ amendment offered by the gentleman from
Butte, and the substitute which is now under
discussion, is not i'll my opinion, the fair nor
proper procedure for this Legislature to adopt.
Why amend the Constitution to get at the re-
mOval of the present Board of Railroad Commis-
sioners? 1t is not this provision of the Constitu-
tion which provides the duties and powers of
those Commissioners that is complained Of i'll
understand the gentlemen who speak Vehe-
mently upon this subject, it is the Commission
ers themselves who are in fault. Why, then,
amend the Constitution? This amendment. if
adopted as it stands, viii so change the
Constitution as to place the control of
/ the railroads back to the Legislature.
where it existed before the adoption of the new
Constitution. from whose hands the people de-
sired it removed If the majority who advance
these constitutional amendments are in good
tgith-if they want to keep their pledges TO the
people-why proceed in this indirect manner?
Why shirk the responsibility, and fall back ON a
constitutional amendment? The Constitution
provides clearly the manner to get rid of these
Commissioners. If they have violated their
pledges, if they are incompetent, corrupt or have
failed to do their duty take up either of the
olutions which have been oflered-one by the
a nfh Ar nv
the gentleman from San FranciScO-and ouSt
the recreaut Commissioners from Office Do not
throw the responsibility back upon the peo-
pie, who sent you here to represent them
Ii is said by the gentleman from Merced and by
others upon this floor, that if we pass this meas
ure the whole question will go before the peO-
pie, and The Railroad Commissioners will have
an opportunity to present themselves for re-
election, and can thus vindicate themselves. But
Mr. Speaker, neither of these constitutional
amendments give them that opportunity. Both
provide, upon their adoption by the peo-
pie, the Governor shall appoint others TO
fill their places. Again, if the majority
wish 90 act fair, why not leave to the
people of the State to fill the vacancies
created? As one ofthe minority and 1 believe
all of my side of the House are with me- say
that we will not stand in the way Of nor oppose.
any measure which Will deal with these Com
miSsioners as the Constitution provides. Re
move them from office by resolution, if you viii.
but give the people the power to ill the va
cancies. cannot and will not be Il party to the
passage of any such measures rs are now under
consideration"
Wharton claimed the Legislature had clear
duty to perform, and that was TO remove the
Commission within the next twenty-fOur hours.
This question he said. must not be evaded He
would like TO see the color of the mans hair that
Will not vote for resolution TO DUST them out of
office.
Farley replied that the Commissioners would
have to be tried before they could be put out.
There was no other legal way.
Terry-lf any of these men are to be branded
for derelicton of duty. for one viii not vote for
such branding until they are given a fair trial
The power rests in the people, and they should
decide this matter.
Campbell moved the previous question
The substitute bill (Campbells Assembly Bill
No. 14) was adopted-ayes IS, noes 20
AFTERNOON SESSION
III, ~