The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-05-19
STILL IN THE RING.
The Mayor and Street Commits
sioner Have a Jawbone Set-to.
And Neither Wore Pads on His
Jaw-Both Hard Hitters-
Declared q Draw.

OaW-BOIh Hard H1tterS-
Declared q Draw.
When, at yesterdays session of the
Trustees, Mayor Comstock smiled softly
at Trustee Mclaughlin, and when the
Street Superintendent smiled back so
seductively, it did not mean anything.
These officials have had quite a number
OF sharp little spats during the sessions of
the board, but there>were times yeSter-
day when it looked as if each had buried
his war-hatchet.
Billy Birch, the well-known burnt
cork artist, came back to California a few
years ago, after a long absence, and while
on professional tour used to tell about
an old friend he had met while visiting
the Stockton Insane Asylum. He could
discover nothing wrong with the patient,
who assured him that he was all right,
and begged Birch to see his old friends
and have him taken away from the crazy
house. Birch assured him he would.
Just as he was taking leave Of his old
friend, he said:
'By the way, Harry, how is your
wife?''
That settled it. Harry sprang into the
dance all over the grounds.
THAT IS what was the matter with him."
said Birch, Il hadn't hit the right spot
until then"
And SO it was yesterday. Everything
went smoothly between the Mayor and
Street Commissioner until the latter be-
gan to talk about Chandeliers sidewalk
and tell what an Obstreperous citizen Mr..
Chandler is-in his opinion.
That remark pierced the Mayors ar
NOR, and he cried:
''There-that'S enough about Chandler!
PVe heard nothing but Chandler-Chand-
ler-Chandler from you since I've been
on this board! There are lots of people
that have worse sidewalks than Mr..
Chandler, and we hear nothing about
them!'
Commissioner Mclaughlin was some
time in recovering from the first shock,
but as soon as he got his breath, he re-
piled:
You'll hear from me about Chandler
whenever l have anything to say about
him, and you'll have to sit there and take
it
Then they glared at one another for
half minute in silence, but both seemed
to be loaded, and the Mayor opened his
battery again:
Yes, and you'll hear from me about
some OF your street-work operations, if
you push meu'
the bush?' retorted Commissioner Nc
Laughlin. III you've anything to say
about my business, say it at once, and
not keep talking about what you're going
to do | don't care for youl"
And l don't care for you, either -
snapped back the Mayor. Pm not afraid
OfyOuw
I'm not afraid of you, eitherw echoed
the Street Commissioner.
You'll hear more from me about your
street business" continued the Mayor
and about your taking gravel from
condemned pit and putting it on the
streets at heavy costr'
You talk about gravel! Why, you
don't know gravel from ashes! It makes
me tired to hear man talk when
ne doesn't know what he's talking
abouth' snarled Mclaughlin.
Bang! came the Mayors fist on his
desk.
'There-that'll do! that'u do ~ he said,
trembling with rage, Il won't listen to
any more OF this kind Of taik-I adjourn
this neetingn'
Then the Mayor got up, but he didn't
60 away, because the Street Commits
sioncr's gating battery kept right on FIR
ing IN his rear.
You talk about what you're going to
dOn' he growled. you We're going to
stop gambling, and why don't you do it?"
The Mayor-''Au right-yOu can twit
L Y
TO do my duty; Pm for Sacramento, and
l want you to save some of the street
money ~
McLaughlin-"Ye just as you saved
IL on coal contracts. | suppose! II you'd
had any business sense, you'd have
known there was nothing in that bluff
youitried to maker'
Mayor-''I did what / thought was best.
and II you'd a-stOod in with me we'd
have saved money for the city! It's a
plain case with mel understand You
You want TO take the bit in your mouth
won't stand it!
McLaughlin-"Y you'll do a heap |!
You'd better study up and learn some
thingr'
The Mayor had moved off toward the
gate that incloses the Trustees twelve
foot ring, but he caught enough of the
last remark TO cause him TO turn about.
w hats that you say 20 he demanded
with unusual fierceness, What's that
you say?''
We'll, said it," responded McLaugh-
lin from his seat. II say Won don't
know enough TO run anything! You
can't take stand on any proposition -
That's enough of that / won't stop
20 have any more words with your and
the Mayor went over to the hydrant and
took drink.
The reporter looked about him and saw
that the room was deserted. Early in
the battle Trustee Conklin had grabbed
up his hat from the floor and FASTENED
from the room, and while the reporter
was busy jotting down the gentlemen's
debate, Auditor Young had either slipped
out or crawled through knot-hole in the
floor. Just then the Mayor leaned over
the ropes-or, rather, the railing-and
seeing that the war was to be renewed,
and not wishing TO embarrass either OF
the belligerents by his presence, the re-
porter gathered up his notes, climbed
over the transom and skipped.
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