Los Angeles herald., 1891-04-09
THE DEMOCRATIC MEMBER.
Gen. John R. Mathews's Good Work at
Sacramento.

Gcu. JOHu N. OdIucWS GOOu tvOfk az
Sacramento.
Although it was his first term in any
legislative body, and although he is still
comparatively young man, Gen. John
R. Mathews was recognized at Sacra-
mento as one of the most useful mem
bers of the assembly. Gen. Mathews is
a Democrat and was elected from Re-
publican district. He was elected on
his merits, and his work did not disap-
point the expectations of his friends.
Notwithstanding the fact that he was
new man, he was put ON three i'm
portant committees in the assembly,
that on corporations, that on municipal
corporations, and the military. In ad-
dition to this Judge Dibble, as special
favor, asked that he be put on the con-
ference committee between the assembly
and senate. This naturally gave him
lot of work to do, and he did it itfaithfully
and we'll.
Yesterday, after many attempts to see
him, HERALD reporter succeeded in
finding Gen. Mathews, to have little
interview with him. The reporter
knew the facts above related, and in an
swer to questions put, the general in his
own modest way said substantially
"Well, yes, my work kept me pretty
busy. tell you was at it fifteen hours
day all the time l was away. My
committee work was heavy tax. l
went to each committee every time it
met, and answered to my name so as to
give it a quorum to do
business. Then 1 went to the
one where 1 was most needed at
that particular time and did what
could | of course felt good deal fiat
tered by being put on three important
committees, and particularly SO at Judge
Dibble's request to have me put on the
conference committee. l had $4,000
people to represent, who will in the next
legislature have three men. wanted
to do all l could for their interests, and
was willing to work with all the ability
had. Yes, l think | was somewhat
successful. got nine bills in all passed.
would have got two more good meas
ures through were it not for
the sbortness of the time, or the strong
influences against them. One was the
bill to amend the constitution so as to
do away with the tax on mortgages.
| got very large number of votes for
this in the lower house, but the senate
defeated it. The San Francisco inf1u-
ence was powerful against it. 1t will be
difficult to pass it any time. Another
law was interested in was one to regu-
late the sale of commercial fertilizers so
as to guard against their being adulter-
ated, thereby fleeing the farmers. That
was introduced too late, and could not
be got through.
"Ex-Secretary of State Hendricks in
terested me in proposed law to secure
the proper administration of our penal
affairs. Two features of it are good
One is to prevent the obtaining OF too
large appropriations through local greed,
and the olher is to secure places for con-
victs released from imprisonment, who
are often forced back into crime by the
cloud they rest under.
eyes, I think the law relative to issu-
ing bonds to grade streets good one.
By curbing the streets and making side
walks, even unpaved streets may be
brought within the provision of the law,
which requires that the work to be
done shall cost at least 50 per linear
foot, taking in both sides of the streets.
1t could easily be amended SO as to
make the provisions of tine law embrace
sewer work. As it now stands sewers
could not be built on these bonds"
This ended the little interview, and
the general was left free to attend to his
business, which is now taxing all his
powers. M