Los Angeles herald., 1891-02-05
DOODLE LAWMAKERS
Assemblymen's Characters
Being Investigated.
The House Committee Taking
Testimony.
Charges of Bribery in Connection
With the Electric Bill.
How Wicked Lobbyists Try to Corrupt
Yirtuous Legislators-The Lords
Prayer Story.
Associated Press Dispatches.

began an investigation of the charges
that Mayor Glasscock had said the as
sembly would not adopt the Lords
prayer unless there was Doodle in it.
w. w. Cameron appeared in response
to summons of the committee. He
described the popular indignation in
Oakland over the action of the assembly
in refusing to pass the electric bill,
which would have the effect of giving
cheap transportation in the Oakland
districts where it was needed. He had
formed an excellent idea of the integrity
and intelligence Of this legislature, and
came here with the Oakland delegatio n
with honest intentions to obtain the
passage of the bill. After their recon-
sideration, a conference was held with
members of the Alameda delegation,
three senators and five assemblymen,
and thefollowing remarks were made;
Mr.. Ames talked very plainly as to
the reasons why the assembly reconsid-
cred its vote on the bill. He laid the
action to the door of J. E. McElrathI
who, in his elation, had talked loudly Of
the franchise possessed by his company,
and of money. Il
eyes," said Mr.. Mccall, 'sif Maior
McElrath, George w. McNear and Sam
Miller had staid at home, that bill would.
have passed without any trouble, and
the vote would never have been recon
sidered."
Senator Dennison corroborated him.
"What do you understand that to
mean ~ asked Gould.
sThat Major McElrath was indiscreek
in saying there was lots OF money bW'
hind the franchise, and some Of TIN
members thought they did not get in,
and they wanted to get in. Ny conf
dence was still unshaken, and Thought
the bill, if properly amended .would pass
met number Of legislators, and found
some that were not desirous Of doing
what was right. Next morniug. + met q
/ gentleman, ,Who, in. condolences. told me
this bill had got to fight. There had
been indiscreet members, and some Of
the boys wanted to get onto the deal and
make some money out of it. took that
information and whispered in my col
leagues ear what had heard"
"Who were your colleagues ?"
"John f. Fall was the man I spoke to.
Soon after, another man tapped me on
the shoul ler. have known him for
years as lobbyist, with votes to SELL
five or six votes.
'sHe said: You are anxious to have
the electric bill passed, and can be Of
service to you. There is a combine
here OF thirty members of the lower
house; they have fine rooms here, two
blocks north of the capitol, and meet
every day. They are in session now,
and if you like I will take you there and
introduce you
Cameron Indignantly declined, saying
he represented no sack aAd had come
representing his city and its best inter
ests and he would not 60.
"They will receive you and Glasscock
il you do not wish to 60 alone," said his
tempter. -
Cameron frmly declined, saying he
was not engaged in such business.
Witness then described how, on ap-
preaching the assembly, he had to work
hisway through a crowd of lobbyists
and loafers, who reminded him OF beg
gars in Italy. He never felt so humili-
ated in his life. One San francisco man
struck him for money. Cameron then
went home ndSold his friends the bill
would pass, when the legislature under
stood it. He presented published in
showing that he had not aspersed the
Legislature in any way.
G0uld-What are the names of the
two lobbyists?
Cameron declined to state, as he had
were not members of the house, and
therefore he thought he should not an
swef.
Gould--This is a matter coming very
close to the honor OF the assembly, and
you should answer.
Witness evaded all questions intended
to draw out an accurate description of
the lobbyists. Gould finally said
"What is the name of the first lobby
ist ?"
Cameron-Do youinsist on this?
Gould-Y Yes Ifnsist.
Cameron Then l shall have to take
the punishment Of the house on that, for
I decline to answer.
Gould-Are you under obligations of
honor to shield the second lobbyist?
Cameron-No sir.
Gould-Well, if you can find the Sec
ond lobbyists name, furnish it to the
committee.
Cameroh-If you let that question go
over, may ascertain his name before
you adjourn, and give it to you.
Senator w. E. Dargie was next exam
ined. He had never heard OF any votes
for sale on the electric bill, and did not
know with whom Cameron conversed.
E. H. Hamilton, correspondent of the
Oakland Tribune, was examined. He
had heard q good deal of talk that sack
was needed to pass the electric bill; did
not know anything definite, though, that
the action the bill indicated that a
sack was expected.
Mayor Glasscock. of Oakland, de-
nounced as q malicious falsehood the
published statement that he had said
the assembly would not adopt the Lords
prayer unless there was Doodle in it. He
was not approached by any member.
A lobbyist had whispered to him that
when the legislative wheel creaks it
needs greasing, Witness said he carried.
no grease. The mayor did not profess
TO represent 70 anyone that he was I'M
dor Tho influence Of liquor. Witness