The record-union., 1891-09-10
GOVERNORS MANSION.
Joseph Stefens Sets a Figure on
His Fine Home.
A Letter From Governor Markham in
Relation to the Proposition
Being Discussed.

There Was meeting last evening at
Mayor Comstoclz's Office for the purpose
OF discussing the matter of purchasing a
governors mansion in Sacramento.
There were present Mayor Comstock, II.
ID. Snow, A. A. Van Voorhies, George c..
McMullen and D. Lubin of the com
mittee.
Mr.. Lubin stated that he had CORE
sponded with the agent of Mrs. E. B..
Crocker in New York, and learned from
him that Mrs Crocker was willing to sell
at reasonable price either of her two
houses in the block between o and P,
Second and Third streets.
Last evening was the time set for re-
csiving and opening bids from those de-
s1ring to sell mansions considered suit
able for the residence of Governor.
Those present hesitated somewhat about
tHansacting business, but it was finally
decided that the number present should
constitute quorum and proceed to busi-
ness.
There was but one regular bid sub
m1tted, and it was from Joseph Steffens.
His letter read as follows:
'Hon. ". d. CoRSt0ck, Chairman of
the ConIn1ittee on, BldS-DEAR SIR: For
Governors residence I will sell make
contract of sale ot) my property, the
streets, in this city, being 225 feet on H
street by leo feet on Sixteenth street, for
the sum of $4,000, about $4,000
cash, and guaranty, the balance
payable April /, 1898, without in
terest. In the meantime L will grade
Sixteenth street in front of prop
erty, pay all city, State and county taxes,
and kaaTO TOrOnartU jnSIIral RI nriI l
1893. l will vacate premises in thirty
days after date of papers and turn the
residence over, furnished, to your honor
able committee, leaving the furniture
therein free of charge to April l, 1898; or
Will sell you the same residence with
lot l69Xl50 for $4,000, requiring a pro-
portionate guaranty, the other terms to
be the some as mentioned above. Very
respectfully, JOSEPH STEPHENS"
Mayor Comstock said the agents for
the Williams residence, on the northwest
corner of Tenth and II streets, had told
him in secret what they would sell the
residence for but they had submitted no
bid, and he did not feel that he ought to
make the figure public at present.
Mr.. Steffens stated that he had talked
with several prominent gentlemen in San
Francisco, and they had stated to him
that nothing would be done unless the Sac
ramento people made move. They also
O6nnlIe
action was taken San Francisco people
would heartily cooperate.
The Mayor showed the following letter
which he had received from Governor
Markham:
Hon. ". d. ComStock, Chairman, and
ID. Lu6ir, Ty-GENTLEMEN: I
have just returned from the mountains,
and have read your esteemed communi-
cation of the 9th ultimo. In regard to
your question, That if in the event that
suitable mansion was obtained by them
here, would it be agreeable for you and
your family to make Sacramento your
home during your Administrations /
Will say that 1t was and is our desire to
make Sacramento our home.
while we deeply mourn the loss of
our loved one, we by no means charge
our loss to your city. Mrs. Mark ham
and myself are warmly attached to those
of your people with whom we have be-
come acquainted. Neither of US feel that
your people should be taxed or incon-
venienced in the least on our account.
Without doubt Governors mansion
should be owned and provided for by the
state. When the law provided that the
Governor should reside at the Capital it
should also have provided for suitable
place for him and his family to occupy
Personally and officially l can blame no
one, for / have little doubt but what the
Legislature would have made provision
for one had |, as Governor, advocated it.
But knowing as did, the absolute need
of money in many other directions, I
could not recommend it, and l have no
regrets in that respect. Neither should
we expect to find suitable residence for
rent. A nice home is a luxury, and to
pay sufficient rent to make fair interest
on the investment would put the rent so
high that few could afford to pay it.
please allow me to thank you and
through you the citizens that have so
kindly taken an interest in our behalf
1T will always be duly appreciated by u.s.
81 hope TO be back within few days
I beg you to excuse this delay in answer
ing, as | have been unable to do so
sooner. Yours very truly,
III. ii. MARKHAMD
The members of the committee talked
on the matter for some time and ad-
journed to make report to the Execu-
tive Committee one week from next
Tuesday at the Courthouse.