The record-union., 1891-03-08
LEGISLATURE 2sTH SESSION.
The Riverside County Bill Hard Fought
in the Senate.
But 1t Goes Through, Despite Allusions
to the Use of Money-Ballot Bill
Still Hanging Fire.
SENATE.

NJ, Lieutenant Governor Reddick in the
chair. Roll called, and quorum present.
Prayer by the Chaplain. Reading of the
journal dispensed with.
| Mr.. Goucher, from the committee ap-
! pointed to ascertain the status of Senate
messages in the Assembly, reported that
the Speaker of that body had informed the
committee that he would call the atten-
ton of the members thereof to the mat
ter of the alleged failure to observe the
| joint rule.
Mr.. Ostrom moved that the motion to
reconsider the vote whereby the Senate
refused passage to S. b. 265, for the for
nation of mutual insurance companies,
be made the special order for 4:3O P. NJ. on
Monday. Carried.
Mr.. Goucher moved to take up the mo-
ton to reconsider the vote whereby A. B.
232, relating to irrigation districts, was
passed
Mr.. Ostrom moved to indefinitely post
pone the motion. Carried-ayes 19, noes
| RIVERSIDE COUNTY BILL.
| The Senate then took up the bill to Gre
ate the county of Riverside, and 1T was
read the second time.
| Mr.. Bailey was the first to speak on the
subject. He had deep regard for both
State and county rights, and believed in
letting the people thereof manage their
own affairs in their own way. The only
in it-one that the people of the old
| county did not oppose-that Of San ia
cinto, had been Killed on the preceding
/ day in order to make room for this one
He warned Senators that the eyes of the
State were upon them, and they had bet
ter be careful what they did. They had
not kept faith with the San Diego people,
who had asked only for fairness at the
hands of the Legislature, by being al
| lowed to adjust their own affairs, and
now it would be war to the knife. The
Riverside people should have contented
themselves with their first proposition
and kept their hands off San Jacinto.
The passage of the bill under considera-
ton would be the highest piece of in
fanny ever perpetrated by the Legislature
of this State.
1t had been whispered about that Sena-
| tor Heacocl1 would have. something to say
about the alleged use of money to secure
the passage of the bill, hence there was a
| cranlng OF neckS when he arose to speak,
all being anxious to catch every word
that he might utter. Mr.. Heacock said it
was his usual custom to quietly vote as
his judgment dictated, on local measures,
when he could not agree with the repre-
sentatives of the counties or districts in
terested. In regard to the bill then under
consideration, he had been requested in
writing by the Assemblymen from both
San Diego and San BernardinO to raise
his voice against it. These gentlemen
had assured him that large majority of
the people in each of the counties con-
cerned were opposed to the division
thereof. He would like to be informed
what was the report of the committee on
| the bill.
| Mr.. Goucher replied that as to Pomona
the committee stood three in favor of and
six against the bill. 1t was unanimously
against the Riverside and San Jacinto
| bills.
| Mr.. Heacock-I would ask the Senator
from San Diego whether he is for or
against this bill.
Mr.. Streeter-I consider that the bill is
for the best interests of the people of that
section.
Mr.. Heacock-WiIl you vote for it?
Mr.. Streeter-Well, I had stated during
the campaign that was opposed to county
division, hence do not feel at liberty to
| vote for this one; but at that time this
matter was not before the people, the Po-
mona County question being the only one
then contemplated. L believe this bill to
| be Ill the interest OF the people of the Sec
| ton concerned.
| Mr.. Heacock then exhibited map of
the section embraced in the proposed new
county, and discussed it's local features.
| holding that there was no necessity for
the formation of a new county-that the
| convenience and interests of the people
| did not demand it. Complaints of high
| taxation had come from all over the
State, yet here was proposition to dupli-
| cate every official position in San Ber-
nardlno County, and thereby double the
burdens of the people. Mr.. Heacock
then read from the Sacramento cor
respondence of the San Francisco Post of
! the 5th inst. statement to the effect that
81, 600 was ready to be used for the pur-
pose of securing the passage of the bill.
1t would appear from the best informa-
ton shat could be gathered that this sum
OF money was here to secure the passage
of this bill. while we cannot" he said,
prevent money being brought within the
precincts OF the Capitol to influence legis-
latlon IN violation OF the solemn prayer of
our Savior-lead us not into temptation
we can keep our own hands clean,
thank God!"
In concluding his remarks, Mr.. Hea-
cock referred to the extraordinary scene
that was witnessed in the Assembly on
the preceding day, when young, prom
ising and talented representative had
found it necessary to rise and defend his
good name against public charges OF
venality, and he (the speaker) hoped to
God that he would come out of the ordeal
unScathed.
Mr.. Streeter said he had been assured
oy the gentlemen interested At, in the passage
OF the bill that but s., 100 had been raised.
and 1t was for the purpose of paying the
legitimate expenses of those who were
here looking after its interests. While
he had intended, for reasons already
given, to vote against the bill, he now
felt it to be his duty to vote for it.
Mr.. Ostrom opposed the bill, and in the
0f his ri coi1 ha
dorse the sentiments expressed by some
Democrats-that anything that could be
done to cast odium on the Republican
majority of this Legislature would be
perfectly legitimate. He preferred not
to believe that there was Senator on the
floor of that body who would permit
himself to accept a bribe for his vote.
He was solicitous for the good name of
the peoples representatives, and hoped
that their actions and votes would be
such as to cast no reproach upon them
selves nor the State.
Mr.. Meads was opposed to the bill on
principle. No county should be divided
except for the best of reasons.
Mr.. Britt said he was for the bill, but,
if for no other reason, he would vote for
it because of the character of the language
INDUCED in by some of those who had
spoken against it. The Senator from the
locality tStreeter) affected desired its
passage. and he Britt would be governed
by his wishes in the matter
Mr.. Simpson said it had been explained
to him that the county of San Bernardino
was originally settled by an unprogres-
siye people, but a new and enterprising
element had settled in and developed the
Riverside section until it was now repre-
sented to be the most beautiful and pro-
ductive spot in the State. Its people had
modern ideas of progression, and wanted
to be by themselves. If there had been
any wrongful influence exerted in behalf