The record-union., 1891-03-21
Evening Session.

| AT P. NJ. the Senate took recess until
1880 o'clock.
Evening Session.
The Senate reassembled at 7:30 p. NJ,
the Lieutenant-Governor in the chair,
and resumed consideration of S. B. 270,
cases, introduced by Mr.. Campbell of
Siskiyou. The roll was called and the
bill passed-ayes 25, noes 10.
Mr.. Crandall gave notice of motion to
reconsider.
INFORMAL PROCEEDINGS.
Mr.. Goucher was here called to the
chair, and in turn called Mr.. McGowan
to preside. The latter said this might in
one sense be called an unfortunate
session. 1t had been noised abroad that
some misunderstanding had arisen be-
tween the chair and the officers at the
desk, and he deemed it his duty to insti-
tute an investigation into the matters at
issue.
He then instructed the clerks at the
desk to vacate their positions during the
investigation, and also suspended the
Sergeant-at-Arms appointing Senator
belong to act temporarily in that ca
pacity.
In the meantime all the extra seats in
the Senate Chamber had been occupied
by ladies and gentlemen, including MEM
bers of some of the Senator's families.
The presiding officer then instructed
the Acting Sergeant-at-Arms to deliver
before the bar of the Senate Lieutenant
Governor Reddicl1, and when that official
had entered Mr.. McGowan, addressing
him, said serious charges had been pre-
| ferred against him, and he, acting as
Judge of the trial court, would appoint
Senator Goucher to defend him before the
jury of the Senate.
Senator Goucher then came forward.
and addressing the court and jury, said
the poor defendant before them should be
acquitted of everything except his poli-
ties. He then paid an eloquent tribute to
the Lieutenant-G whom he COM
plimented for his ability and impartiality
as the presiding officer of the Senate dur
ing the seventy-tive days it had been in
session. He spoke of him as the true
type of presiding officer and noble
| hearted gentleman, and there was 10
higher position that man could occupy
than the place of a gentleman-one that
represents the highest nobility and best
sample of manhood. He concluded his
eloquent and touching remarks by pre-
senting him, on behalf of the Senate,
with an elegant gold watch, chain and
seal. The watch was inscribed: 'Pre-
sented to j. b. Reddick, Lieutenant Gov
ernor, by the Senate of California, 29th
session, 1897
Lieutenant-G Governor Reddick made q
very happy response, referring in feel
ing manner to the pleasant relations that
had existed between himself and the
members during the long and tedious
session that was drawing to a close.
Whenever he should look at the dial of
the beautiful watch that had been pre-
sented to him as a token of the esteem and
goodwill of the Senators, he would see,
in memory, the names and faces of all
with whom he had been associated here.
He priced the gift, because he expected
1t to go down as an heirloom to his
family SO long as one of the name of Red
dick might live.
The remarks of both Senator Goucher
and Lieutenant-GoVernor Reddick were
received with applause.
! OTHER PRESENTATIONS.
Mr.. MCGOWAN then directed the
Sergeant-atArmst to bring President pro
tenn. Fraser before the bar, which was
done. The chair said:
"Mr. Fraser, yours is most desperate
case; it involves case of prior convic-
ton. You have been here before. and
your people at the last election decided to
send you up for sixty days more, with
the proviso that you should not enjoy the
privileges of the Goodwin Act. You
have been charged with soliciting the
vote of a Senator for one of your pet bills.
Do you desire counsel, or will you plead
guilty, as heretotore?"
Mr.. Fraser thought that the nature of
the charge warranted him in having
counsel, so the Chairman called on SEN
ator Mead, who delivered a graceful little
speech ON behalf of Mr.. Fraser, and
wound up by presenting him with case
containing a half-dozen silver knives.
forks, table and teaspoons.
In accepting the gift Mr.. Fraser ex-
pressed his heartfelt gratitude for the
goodwill and esteem manifested toward
| him, and hoped the work of the Senators
would meet with the appreciation of their
I .io1l I,I
the aid of the Finance Committee-kept
their pledges by holding down the appro-
priations within the fifty-cent limit.
Senator Everett here assumed the
| duties of Sergeant-at-Arms, and pro-
duced Secretary Frank Brandon on the
demand of the Chair. The accusation
against Mr.. Brandon was such a serious
| one that Chairman McGowan felt called
| upon to place his case in the hands of
that able advocate, Senator Britt.
The latter came very near convicting
himself of the crime cocOsthes loquendi,
but got out of the trouble very hand
| Somely by beStowing upon the efficient
Secretary handsome silver tea-set of
five pieces, and tray, as a mark of the es-
TEEN of the Senators.
Mr.. Brandon, in response, said he had
| tried to do his duty, and it was a pleasure
to him to know that his efforts had met
| with the appreciation of the members of
the Senate.
The next culprit brougt up for
trial was man named Tom
Rogers, he who has acted in the
capacity of Sergeant-at-Arms during
the session. The Judge charged him
with all sorts of otfenses, the chief one be-
ing that he had been too free in the use of
| his arms toward lady visitors
The defendant had doubtless been in
formed of the case against him, and had
made up his mind to cut things short by
pleading guilty. But he had not calcu-
lated on the effect his plea was to have on
court, jury and listeners. Judge Nc
Gowan concluded his arraignment of the
prisoner by announcing that Senator Os-
from would defend him.
Before you go any further, Mr.. Presi-
dent" interrupted Rogers. anxious to get
in his work, Il plead guilty!''
The effect was magical, and the Senate
Chamber resounded with laughter and
applause at the expense of the granger
advocate. Mr.. Ostrom was not, however,
disconnected by his clients foar pas, but
pleaded earnestly for him, and at the con-
clusion of his remarks presented him
with handsome gold-headed cane.
Mr.. Rogers was quite overcome with
emotion. and briefly returned his thanks
to the donors.
G. S. McMullen, the Minute Clerk, was
then led forth, and Senator w. Fl. Will
Jams selected as his counsel. Mr.. Will
Jams whispered briefly in his clients ear
and then said:
please the Court, the prisoner pleads
guilty, valves time, and will take his
sentence now.'
He then handed Mr.. McMullen a casket
containing set of elegant sleeve-but-
tons, the receipt OF which was gracefully
acknowledged.
Senator Berry then presented, in few
well-timed remarks, handsome shawl
pin to Miss Vance, the Postmistress, as