The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-06
UGLY CHARGES MADE
Assemblyman Bruner Accused of
Selling Places.
A Reporter Claims to Have Given Him Four
Hundred Collars for Position on
the Police Force.

Revelations of most damaging character
wers made yesterday morning in one of the
local dailies against Elwood Bruner, Assem-
blyman from Sacramento, and three local
politicians OF rag tag description.
AS related, the story goes that Bruner,
who has conspicuously contested with Did,
BILE for the leadership on the floor, recently
introduced into the Assembly bill author
iziDg the Board Of Supervisors of this city
to increase the police force to GOO. Largely
through the individual efforts of Bruner
the bill became a law; and it IS now
claimed that in return for his services he
was given the privilege of naming six of
the new officers. The charge is made that
the Sacramento Assemblyman conceived
the idea of disp0siug of the places Mt
price of $500 each, and through Louis Jones,
local ward heller, he caused it to be
noised abroad in certain quarters that the
positions were for sale. Associated with
Jones were his brother, Daniel, and Richard
Belau. the latter young man who Is well
known about town. Belau was also for
time employed as clerk in the freight
department of the Southern Pacific at Fourth
and Townsend streets.
NEGOTIATIONS ENTERED INTO.
The matter came to the knowledge of a
local paper which detailed reporter to run
lUC uldLlCl QUhD, WLICu SGtIlo w IufC DCCu
done.
TIE reporter, according to his published
statement, called on Louis Jones, and after
relating what he had heard stated that he
had a friend who desired place and was
willing to pay for it. Jones satisfied himself
that the thing was all straight, and through
Belau arranged. so it is said. for meeting
between Bruner and the reporter.
On Tuesday the newspaper representa-
tive journeyed to Sacramento In company
with Daniel Jones, brother OF Louis, and
WAS met at the depot by Belau. Together
the three proceeded to the Capitol. Belau.
it is claimed, explained on tae way that the
price was $500, and that the mOuey which
the supposed buyer presented In the form Of
a certified check on the Crocker-W 00lwOrth
Bank should be paid over to him, and that
he would give it to Bruner.
This, so the story runs, was assented to.
and a meeting between the reporter, Bruner
and Belau was held In the State Library,
Belau sending into the Assembly chamber
for Bruner, who came out and was intro
duced TO the newspaper man.
THE LETTER WRITTEN.
Some little conversation is reported TO
have taken place, as result Of which
Bruner sat down at a table and wrote the
following:
SACRAMENTO Feb. 8. 1891.
To the Police Commissioners Of San francisco
DEAR SIRS: | very much desire that you
would appoint Mr.. Thomas Stoiey upon the
police force OF your city.
He is a mau OF good habits thorough Repub.
lican and am satisfied would give entire sails
faction. Very respectfully,
ELwooD BRUNER.
The letter was then placed in an official
Senate envelope and addressed to the Board
OF Police Commissioners Of this city.
1t is stated by the reporter that the date
February Sd" was the result of a mistake
on the part of Bruner, who, In his hurry,
wrote it thus instead of March.
1t Is also claimed by the reporter that
while lie was reading the foregoing dOcu-
ment Bruner lsughingly took $50 from his
purse, with the remark that he wished TO
see if he had money enough to square this
business"
Belau, it is said, then came forward and
took the certificate from the hands of the
alleged purchaser and walked with it in his
hand straight to Bruner, with whom he
cunversed in low tone for several minutes.
This over, Bruner shook hands with the re-
porter and hurried back 10 the Assembly
chamber,