The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-09
MEN ABOUT TOWN.
Miscellaneous Items Of Interest
Caught on the Fly.
Waterman as a Retormer-A Railroad Curio.
Senator Jones' Cane-Bruner's Mince
Pie An Old Official.

GuNeTUOE w tltEiudu lCduCu ONCl tuO
counter at the Occidental Hotel last night
and discussed State affairs with a chosen
coterie OF friends, who listened with rapt
attention TO the words of wisdom that fell
from his bearded lips.
"In my forthcoming message" he said,
in burst of confidence, Il propose to rec
ommend the abolition of number of the
small commissions-such as the Forestry
and Viticultural commissions, for instance
that serve no other purpose than to furnish
salaries to lot of people that do no real
good for the interests of the State. In fact
| am going to aim a blow at lot of the
abuses that have been saddled on to the
people. And ! want to say right here that
il / could have afforded to accept a re-
nomination l would have inaugurated a
great many reforms People may say that
i could not have gotten the nomination, but
you, as friends, know better.
Another thing is this pardon business.
1 have signed three or four pardons to-day,
and my only regret is that my time Is too
limited to do entire justice to all the inno-
cent men who are now in our penitentiaries.
l am going through the papers as rapidly as
possible. however, and shall pardon the
boys as fast as can convince myself of the
merits of the various cases."
JONES AND THE PUGILIsT.
Senator John P. Jones of Nevada, who
still fingers at the Palace, needless of his
Senatorial duties, attracted the notice of the
irrepressible Sam Davis. the sage-brush
humorist, as he entered the elevator last
night. The Senator grasped massive walk
ing-stick, TO which Davis directed the at
tention of a group of friends.
He carries it, said Sam, with twinkle
in his eyes, "for purposes OF defense. In
early days he employed a pugilist for body
guard, and for the service rendered paid
often as high as $40 day. One day he was
approached by t0ugh-looking customer,
who proposed to do the Senator's fighting.
The would-be bodyguard announced, by
way of prelude TO the conversation, that he
could whip any man in Nevada in three
minutes by the watch, and for his services
wanted $40 day. He was bad man from
up the creek, ana had a record of ten lives,
so he said.
Jones disappeared. but came back in
few minutes win burly looking customer.
to whom he said:
"'Say, Bill, here's fellow who wants me
to employ him as fighter. Now, you TWO
fight it out, aud I'll give $40 day to the
best man. pay $50 at present.
"Ihe new arrival commenced TO peel off his
clothes The other paused and asked
Bill. are you friend of Jones?'
Yes
"'Then put on your coat again. 1t can
never be said that L ever harmed a hair OF Il
friend OF such man. III light some place
else"
THE RAILROAD CURIo.
Two seedy-looking tramps ambled up
Market street last night, and turning down
New Montgomery espied Ed Curtis stand
ing in front of the Grand Hotel. One OF
the pals" approached Lin with request
Tor dime.
Want a dime, do you?" asked Curtis.
We'll, you've struck the wrong man.
gave a man two-bits few days ago and he
died yesterday of delirium fremens. l gave
another fellow 10 cents once to cross the
bay and he was killed while beating ride
on the Southern Pacific. You SEE L am
afraid to help any one else"
What did that bloke give you?" asked
the second tramp when they met at the
mouth of the alley few feet away.
Cuff, and l guess it will have to CO.
See?"
SLIGHT MISTAKE.
Hon. Elwood Bruner OF Sacramento has a
touch of the Bohemian in his composition,
but he has wife as well, most estmable
lady in every way, but one who Systematic
cally irowns down any tendencies toward
conviviality Oh the part of her husband.
The latter chanced not long ago, so the
story runs, to remain out until late hour,
and before going home just dropped i'm
with friend for quiet glass of brandy.
| The friend was hungry-so was Bruner-
and the resul. was that two porterhouse
steaks were ordered and eaten. Once more
Bruner prepared to seek his home, wien it
occurred to him that little something to
disguise the oder of the brandy would be the
proper thing. A few spice and a Bit OF
lemon peel did it, and home lie trudged.
Arriving there he sat down to talk over the
affairs Of the day, when suddenly his wife
grew uneasy. Moving about for a moment
she exclaimed: 'Elwood, You have eyi-
DENLY been eating mince pie!'
mo, my DEAR he responded, "for once
| you are mistaken, tut | will confess that
have all the ingredients in my possession"
HARD TO GET RID OF.
Tom" Cunningham OF Stockton, who
| for twenty years and ten months has been
Sheriff of San Joaquin County, is probably
| the Oldest official from standpoint Of
length Of service in the State with the ex-
| cepiion of Thomas S. Bonneau, who has
been County Clerk OF Marin County since
1858. The latter failed of denomination
once, but ran independent and Was elected
by large majority. Cunningham has done
| the same.
The genial Sheriff walked into the Grand
Hotel last night, and as he sat by the fire
warming his feet spoke of his record.
1t is rather hard" he said with smile,
ito sell people out Of house and home as
Sheriff is required to do. and still retain
their friendship, but have managed to DO
| it. l always remember that it is an officers
duty to tell a defendant his rights under the
law when he is Ignorant of them, and that
| is the best / can do. The Democrats have
long since given up nominating any one to
op ose me, SO that gives me an advantage,
but this year the Prohioitionists got after
me. They put up candidate and he got
900 votes out of 6000. IL was about as close
shave as I've had for number Of years"