The morning call., 1891-03-21
Decision Of the Investigating
Committee.
Exciting Scenes Over The Report on The
Floor Of The Assembly.
RledSOe and Lowe Indulge In Var Talk.
The BallOt-Rsiorm Bill Signed
BY the Governor.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

was thrown into furOr of excitement to-
day BY the production Of the report by
majority of the Investigating Committee
finding Elwood Bruner guilty of conspiracy
to sell places on the police force. The af-
fair has split the House into factions, aud
while sympathy for the accused is every
where expressed, BledsOe has made
for himself a reputation for cour-
age and uprghtness that cannot be
taken down. Mr. BIedsoe gave his
report 10 the Representatives of the San
Francisco papers before the House met in
the afternoon, and each of them promised
not to use it until it had been presented, but
the representatives of the evening papers
telegraphed synopsis OF it and the fact
soon became widely known, and caused
sensation in the Assembly this afternoon,
and came near causing a fight in the
Assembly Chamber tonight.
At2 o'clock Mr.. Bledsoe sent the reDortto
the desk. There was no minority report,
and Galbraith, 4 member of the minority of
the committee, complained that they had no
opportunity to make report.
Gould moved that the reception of the re-
port be delayed until tomorrow morning,
Immediately after the reading Of the
journal. Galbraith was in favor Of Gould's
amendment, and it was adopted. Bledsoe
said that the other members of the committee
had the same opportunity as the majority to ex-
anime the testimony. He had begun preparing
his report several days ago, and the other MEM
bers who signed 1t thought ii In accordance with
the evidence.
Lowe, who appeared to be terribly exclled
over the matter, denounced Bledsoe for having
given his report to the press in advance. Bed.
soc replied that the reporters had promised not
to use it until it had been presented. Lowe had
come TO his desk and told Bedsoe III At he would
burn him up. Now" said the pucky author
OF the report burn me up"
BEAUTIFUL LANGUAGE.
Bruner said that BedsOe deserved the severest
eensure Tor having given tue report TO The news
papers. He declared that Bedsoe on the day OF
the appointment OF the committee had said that
he (Brunen ought to be burned up.
You lte," calculated Bledsoe.
Bruner went on TO say In a loud lone that he
had been Informed that BledsOe on the day OF his
appointment as Chairman OF the committee had
said in the presence of several persons that
Bruuer ought TO be burned up.
" That is lie." shouted Bied,Oe.
Speaker Coombs called Bledsoe 10 order, say
ing that such language was unparliamentaly and
should be taken down.
- Let him lie brought before the bar of tie
House." cried Lowe, who was more excited than
Bruner himself, though why lie should be was
not APPARENT.
Bledste eX ained that he did not mean TO call
Bruner a liar, but he chal aelerized the state
meHt that he had used the language imputed to
him as false. Then arising 10 Il question of
privilege B!edsoe defended his action in report
ing against B!uner He WAS trembling with
excitement and the words broke from his lips in
4 torrent as be hurled defiance at the men who
eensured him for dong what he considered his
duty.
BLEDsoE DEFENDS HIS COURSE.
Il have been four days preparing this report"
he said. Il based my conclusions on the testi-
nnnv iu the case and the gentlemen who signed
Il win me ar lie peers Of any men on the floor
Of This House though they are Democrats. did
BOT 10 the beginning or during the course OF this
Bruner. During the Investigation was the sub
iect OF criticism because ] was TOO lenient, too
favorable To Mr.. BIuner. | challenge any one
WHO witnessed the investigation 10 say that any
member Of the committee who signed the ma
jorlty report did not act fairly and lmparlaIly-
toward him. A while ago Mr. Lowe me 10 my
seat aud told me that lie would burn me up on
tie door OF tie Assembly. Now let him 90
ahead This morning member Of this As
sembly came 10 NE and said 10 me; "BledsOe,
one OF the biggest politicians In this STATE Que
OF Tie biggest politicians IN the United StAles,
made e report T' adverse @ to to Mr BrGHeT and told
me 10 tell you that If you did you would be fulued
politically Ia This State"
DID HIS DUTY.
wish to state That II every Republican In this
Stale were 10 deuOuuce me l would nevertheless
do what l consider ny duty. l did what l
Thought was right aud / know my constituents
Will sustain me in It. When l gave the report to
The reporters hey gave Inc their word OF honor
that they would not publish II uutll II was re-
ceivrd by the Assembly. II this Assembly
chooses 10 ceusute me for doing what thought
was right do not care. | went In o that inves.
ligatlon to do my duty, aud I've done 1t to tile
best Of my ability"
BRUNER wEPT.
Speaker Coombs order ed the reporters not to
publish the report, but he was too late. Tie
evening papers arrived at 3 O'Clock this evening
and their appearance caused a renewal OF the
element Lowe sent one OF them 10 BedsOe,
who threw il upon the floor. Another was
banded 10 Bruner aud he arose, and in an
impassiOned speech denounced the report aud its
author. When lie sat down he burst into tears
and sobbed aloud.
around him aud assured him Of their sympathy
ard confidence, but Lowe went over 10 Biedsoe
aud began to upbraid him. Pointing to Bruner.
lie exclaimed: " LOOK at your Work How
could you have done II? l think you we're very
unjust and very wrong"
A DIsGRACEFUL SCENE.
al know what l am about and can take care
OF myself" replied BletsOe. The conversation
rapidly turned 10 personalities, and It is said
Lowe called BleGsoe blackhearted ---
BledsOe thereuDon rose from his seat and they
look hold Of each other. Mrs. BedSOe screamed
and Ihe members came rushing toward the sDoJ
from All pdllS Oh lle IL OuSe anu
sOrteme-
Lowe and Bedsoe were parted and the Speaker
ordered the House 20 be clea ed Order was re-
stored with great difficulty aud Mr.. ana Mrs.
BedSoe left the chamber together The former
replied 10 The SeTgeant-at-Arms, who offered I'M
carriage, Il am an American citizen and am
afi aid OF no one"
THE REPORT.
The majority report. which was written by Mr..
BledsOe, ana which gave rise to the Wild scene
In the Assembly Is as follows:
ASSEMBLY CHAMBER, March 90 1891.
Mr.. speaker: The Assembly Committee on In-
Vestigalon appointed by you on the 9Th day of
March, 1891, to Investigate certain charges of
official corruption made against Assemolyman
ElweOd Bruuer by tie San francisco Examiner,
has completed lis labors aud herewith presents
its report.
The committee commenced its investigation on
the It'll day OF March and was In session on SIX
succeeding nights, besides holding several day
sessions. large number OF witnesses were
amined and each member OF the committee
listened to the testimony with close ana careful
attention. We are aware OF the TACT that the San
Francisco Examiner severely criticized The com
mttee and persistently condemned Its actions,
and VIC desire 10 assert as our unquallhtd d 0pin-
lon that the course pursued toward this commit
tee by the Examiner cannot be commended by
any fair aud honest man. In the very beginning
OF I'd vesiigati0n the Examiner accused thls'
committee OF an intention te "whltewash' Ell
wood Bruner. and day after day II abused and
vihed the members OF the committee without
reason and without excuse. IL was apparent
that lie put pose CT the Examiner was 10 bully
and lntimldate the committee Into giving ver-
diet against Mr. Bruner. but we wish 10 say that
the pun pose was not accomplished with US. The
conclusions 10 which we have come In this case
are The result OF careful deliberatiOn, of close
scrutiny Of tile testimony aud purpose to do our,
whole duty TO the best OF our ability, without
favor and without fear.
In order 20 arrive al the truth we have endeav-
oTed 10 md an answer 10 the satisfaction of rea-
son and OF conscience for such questions as ap
peared 10 be material 10 Just determination OF
the inquiry These questions are:
First-Did any guilty conspiracy exist between
ElwoOd Bruner and the Police Commissioners OF
San francisco?
SecOnd-Did he have six or any less number OF
positions on the police force Of San francisco at
his disposal?
Third-Was he offering such positions for sale
through Tie medium OF brokers otherwise?
Fourth-Did lie give the recommendation OF
StOey ana receive the $400 therefor as part OF n
plan 10 entrap and expose bad meu, or did he do
II with the intention of selling position the
police force OF San francisco?
We shall endeaVOr 10 answer these material
questions 10 the order above given basing our
opinions on the testimony and giving our reasons
fof ihe conclusions arrived al. Before doing so,
however, We wish 10 say that many cOnSldera.
lions OF mercy have strongly pleaded for an an