The morning call., 1890-12-24
MEN ABOUT TOWN.
Bits of Information Picked Up
Here and There.
Econ my the Order If the Day-Tco Many
Pegs Pioneer Business Methods.
Wanted to Kick Himsslf.

Senator Sprague of Yolo Is among the
Republican officials who believe that the
party should redeem the pledges made by
the Sacramento Convention.
II have been in consultation at various
times" he said last night, with various
members Of the next Legislature, and can
say that We are already at work upon a plan
for the apportionment of the expenditures
Of the State for the next two years, and it is
our intention 10 hold everything down to
the 50-cent limit. The promise has been
made, and no matter if it be found neces-
sary to retard for time the work on the
various public buildings now under way,
We propose to stand by the platform to the
very letter."
TOO MANY PEGS.
Frank L. Coombs of Napa. who will with
out doubt be chosen to preside over the de-
| liberatOns of the next Assembly, was in
town yesterday in consultation with various
members of that body to be, and it is UNDER
stood that considerable Roadway has already
been made in preparing for the work to be
/ done. His greatest difficulty, and the one
| that will give him no end of trouble, is the
problem OF making satisfactory distribu-
ton oil the various committee cbairmanShipS.
With sixty Republican members and but
forty positions Of that kind at his disposal,
, he will find his task an unpleasant one, and
the pressure, it is said, is growing a little
burdenSome already.
II have made no promises to any one,"
he said. in conversation with a CALL re-
porter, but OF course have, as far as pos
slbe, decided upon a number of the NOR e
Important positions. l am principally oc-
cupied just now, however, in formulating
my plans for sumo reforms which | will
propose, but which it is a little early to
make public as yet"
WHAT INDUSTRY WILL DO.
Ammo fl,p Of ho io1
Hotel at present is a gentleman who is an
example of what may te accomplished by
| earnest work under the most trying circum-
stances. His story deserves relating, and
should be lesson to all who read it. The
gentleman Is Dr.. j. L. Shattuck, who few
months ago, while driving to visit patient,
was thrown from his buggy and so in jured
as to cause almost complete paralysis of the
lower limbs. Coming to San Francisco for
treatment, he cast about for employment to
occupy his time, and in spite Of the fact that
he was comparative stranger and could
get about only with the greatest difficulty,
he has raised over $1,000, with which he has
already made arrangements for the founding
OF a new Tree kindergarten. and in addition
to that has collected over $500 TO be devoted
to purchasing Christmas gifts for poor chill
dren.
PIONEER METHODS.
A gentleman, who ranks among the early
pioneers of California, stood at the corner
of California and Kearny streets yesterday
afternoon and looked across at the building
now occupied by the Salvation Army.
Let ME see," he said, muSipgly. II
can't recall the year, but it was in the early
ftties, that l rented the building that stood
there then. and my experience is a good
Illustration of the business methods in vogue
then. L was working as cabinet-Inaker,
at SIG day, but the wages were too low to
suit me, SO L decided to 90 into business for
myself. l looked about for a place and
finally hit upon the building in question.
Going to the proprietor l inquired as to the
rent he would demand.
-Four hundred dollars month"; he re-
pied without looking up from his work.
informed him that would take it, but
that had but 500 with me, which would
pay as deposit If he would hold the place
for me.
''Glancing up at me with frown, he
said: Don't you know this is steamer
day? You should know better than to
bother Inc about such 4 small matter. Take
the building, and pay me when you get
ready
That night the building was burned to
the ground"
LOST THROUGH INCIDENCE.
Il CHANGED to look over catalogue of
postage stamps a few days ago." said an old
newspaper man, ''and there / saw some
thlng tnat prompted me to get up and kick
myself. l saw one of the early Hawaiian
stamps quoted at $500, and it occurred to
me that had parted with one for nothing
a few years ago was struck with the stamp
craZe.and for time pursued it as eagerly as
a boy. Among the collection had a full set
OF Sandwich Island stamps, picked up here
and there, and among them one of the 5000
variety. 1t was of little value then, and
growing tired of the work of collecting, |
gave them all away. 1t doesn't require a
pencil to figure out my loss, but a pencil
couldn't describe my feelings when l first
made the discovery"