The record-union., 1891-03-07
SUPERVISORS CORRALLED.
The Unemployed" Swarm in and
Demand an Endorsement.
Mr.. Bates Was in Favor of Soup
But Not Salaries-Mr. Greer
Makes Record.

necessity fund bill now pending before
the Legislature.
Several days ago the Supervisors re-
ceived a communication from a COM
mittee appointed by one of the open-air
meetings of the unemployed" request
ing the board to indorse the urgent
necessity fund bill. A similar commune
cation was sent to the CityTrustees. The
latter body caught on" readily and gave
its approval. But the Supervisors post
poned the matter until yesterday after
noon for further consideration.
AN ARMY OF THEM.
When the hour arrived for taking up
the matter yesterday, the Supervisors
were interrupted by the tramp and
shuttle of many feet in the corridor, and a
moment later there marched into the
chamber a large crowd of overalled,
flannel-shirted and muddy individuals
all of whom looked as if they had seen
better days. They were headed by CDR"
Wiley, of San Francisco, who asked per-
mission to address the board.
Granted that permission, Mr.. Wiley
proceeded to state that the committee
which had just arrived came for the pur-
pose of urging the board to do as the
Trustees did and give them letter in.
IL, u,
possible, indorse the bill establishing
free labor bureau, too. The bills had
been indorsed by the clergy and all who
were good. He considered the PROPOSE
tions both matters of strict and practical
economy.
Supervisor Bates wanted to know what
the bills provided for, and for his inform
alton Clerk Rhoads read the Senate urgent
necessity fund bill.
Mr.. Bates said, after hearing it's pro-
visions read, that it was apparently job
to assess the counties to support lot of
''hoboso in the cities. 1t was gotten up
entirely for the benefit OF San Francisco.
in which the city and county were con-
solidated, and consequently the county
would not suffer. But i'll other parts of
the State the counties would be the suffer-
ers, and would be ''pungling" up for the
benefit of the cities idlers.
Mr.. Jenkins was OF Il similar opinion.
He did not desire that Sacramento County
should be assessed to support Sacramento
City'S ''unemploved.'
Wiley explained that the bill covered
counties as well as the cities-it provided
that work should be done on the public
highways, parks, etc., of the ''cities and
countless"
CHAIRMAN GREER's PYRoTECHNICs.
At this juncture Mr.. Bates innocently
asked Chairman Greer what ne thought
about the matter.
Mr.. Greer seized the opportunity.
He vacated the chair, asked Mr. Bates
to preside temporarily in his place, and
then cleared his throat for speech. 'NIr
Chairman" he began-and then he faced
the delegation OF unemp!oyed-''this
bill is well worth our consideration 1t
is in the interest of humanity and should
be passed by the Legislature, and signed
by The Governor. In all parts of these
United States. and, l may say, in the
world, similar laws are in force. and they
brought happiness with them. The good
b0ok says, Charity covers multitude of
SINS and charity, when administered by
government to its poor, is Elagnani-
nous indeed. / am in favor of
this bill. | am always willing,
and always have been, to raise my
voice in the interest of humanity
Look at these intelligent men here! They
have come here only to ask US to indorse
bill which is to provide them with the
means, in cases of emergencies, to get
food for themselves and their families
This bill is not providing for any extra
expense upon the county. If we do not
spend the money in this way we will
through the County Hospital and benev-
olent associations. These men are not
tramps nor degraded men. Look at
them, gentlemen! Is it not far better
that they be provided for in the manner
they ask than have to build additional
HOS plldlS anu JdllS
The visiting committee applauded Mr..
Greer to the echo as he Went back to his
seat.
MR.. Bates BLUNDER.
During the Chairman's speech Mr..
Bates had picked up one of the bills and
had read it.
A wicked smile played about his classic
mouth when he rose from his seat. after
the applause had died out.
,OOE-4-harp Mr. (yrHpr ~ hn Coi6
holding up the bill; ''you fellers didn't
read the tail end of this thing. 1t pro-
videS for the appointment of hull string
of officers, or bosses, at big salaries. Now
suppose will be left for these poor devils
to get bowl of soup with when these
here bosses get their salaries?''
Mr.. Greer looked perplexed. Wiley
reached over and whispered something to
the Chairman, after which the latter in
formed Mr.. Bates that the bill provided
that in counties of Sacramento's class the
Supervisors controlled the disbursements,
and there were no officers about it.
Bates declared that the bill didn't read
that way. "I'll vote for free lunch for
these people," he said, ''but FL be dinged
if I'll vote for this salary list. Why, the
fellers we'd be trying to provide for
wouldn't get a smell.'
Wiley whispered to Mr.. Greer again.
Mr.. Greer got up, and, going over to Mr.
Bates seat, took the bill out of his hands
and glanced at it. Then, with a look of
disgust, he intimated that he knew all
along that Bates was talking through his
hat. You've been reading the wrong
bill, Bates" he said s'This is the Labor
Bureau bill, and we've been discussing
the urgent necessity fund bill, which does
got provide for the employment of any
sficers."
NO ACTION TAKEN.
Mr.. Bates scratched his head, and said
ne guessed Greer was right. Still he
thought the bill was San Francisco job,
ind he wouldn't vote for it
Nobody else had anything to say on the
subject and nobody offered any motion.
There was a painful silence for several
minutes, and then Mr.. Jenkins said that
inasmuch as he would like to look into
the matter further, he would ask that it
be postponed for further consideration.
The motion was unanimously carried.
The ''unemployed' then right-ahout-
faced and began to file out. They all sa-
luted Mr.. Greer as they passed his desk,
but they had no use for the other MEM
bers, particularly Mr.. Bates.
Upon reaching the sidewalk they gave
three rousing cheers and soul-stirring
''tigah' for Chairman Greer.
The delegation loitered about the neigh
borhood of the Courthouse, and when
the Board adjourned Mr.. Bates sent for a
cab TO take him home. He denied that
he feared anything, and was positive that
the piece of rope one OF the unemployed
carried was for some other purpose"
THE RIVER