The record-union., 1891-03-13
NEARING THE END.
The Testimony Almost Closed in the
Bruner Inquiry.
State Printer Johnston and Alvin ].
Bruner Tell What They Know
-Four More Witnesses.

the Assembly met again last evening &c
hear testimony in the matter concerning
the Examiners charges of trafficking in
San Francisco police positions. The
Democratic members of the committee
were absent at the Democratic caucus,
and recess was taken until quarter to
8 9o'clock, when they appeared.
The clerk read telegram from AS
SCISSOR Siebe, of San Francisco, stating
that there was no person in his office by
the name of Jasper.
MR.. JOHNSTON TEsTIFIES.
The first witness called was A. J. John
ston, State Printer. He had read the ar
ticles- in the Examiner rejecting on AS
semblyman Bruner. On Tuesday morn
ing of last week, he said, Mr.. Bruner met
him at his office door and said, "You're
just the man | want TO see. / want to adj
wise you about a certain matter.'' Just
then Judge Armstrong called MIR. Bru-
ner away, and he said he would see me
later.
That evening witness met Mr.. Brune1
In the hallway, and in company with
him, his brother and Mr.. Govan went
into the State Library. There was call
of the House, and Mr.. Bruner went out.
lie returned shortly afterward and re-
marked, as he entered the library office,
Now I've got the sons --p' or some
thing to that effect.
Witness said that he and Mr.. Govan
were talking about city politics, and did
not pay particular attention to Mr.. Bruner
at the time. The latter had a paper in his
hand when he entered the office That
night witness and Govan walked down
town with Mr.. Bruner, but the latter did
not say anything about the certificate.
He considered himself warm friend OF
Mr.. Bruner.
To Mr.. Gould witness said that on
Wednesday morning Mr.. Bruner called
him to put it away for him. He said he
was in hurry then, but would tell wit
ness about 1t later on.
In reply to a question by Mr.. Bledsoe
witlress said Mr.. Bruner had never before
deposited a cent of money with him.
lIhese statements were elected by ques-
tions asked Of the Witness.
Witness said there was some money
transaction between Mr.. Bruner and
Mr.. Leake by the safe in the
office of the library, but he
paid no particular attention to the
matter, as it did not concern him. He
could not describe the paper in Mr.
Burners hand: it appeared to be folded
Mr.. Bruner did not explain the cause oi
tered the room.
Mr.. Gould asked witness if the ex-
| clamation referred to might not have re-
| lated to the local city election in some
way, and witness thought that could
hardly be, as Mr.. Leake was Demo
cSlt.
Mr.. Bledsoe asked if Mr.. Bruner might
not have referred to the library bill that
had just been defeated. Mr.. Johnston
said he could not say-it might, for all he
| knew.
MR.. BRUNER's BROTHER.
Alvin j. Bruner, brother of the Assem-
! blyman, was next called. He testified
| in answer to various questions by the
Chairman, that on Monday of last week
! his brother came to him and said there
was a matter about which he desired tc
| speak TO him. He said that Isadore
Alexander told him on the preceding
Saturday that there was man in San
francisco trying to sell places on the
police force i'll his name; that on the
same day, on the way to San Francisco
Mr.. Lawrence, of the ErGminer, also
spoke to him about it. His brother then
said that if any persons were trying tc
put up job on him he would fight back,
On Tuesday shortly after the Assembly
recess, witness brother told him that
Lawrence had been to him again, and il
really looked as if something was being
done. to entrap him. Witness advised
him to have nothing to do with such
parties,
On the same day witness laid the mat
ter before Judge Armstrong, and the lat
| ter said he had had conversation with
Elwood Bruner about it, and that Ell
| wood told him he was trying to entraI
! the Examiner.
| That evening witness met his brother
State Printer Johnston and Willian
Govan in the hallway, and they were al
invited into the library. While there 6
call of the House occurred, and witness
asked Mr.. Leaketo lock the door, Elwood
having said he did not wish to be taken
before the bar OF the House. Shortly
afterward Elwood Bruner went out to Sc,
what was going on in the House.
| WITNESS here described what trans
pired during his brothers absence.l
When his brother returned he seemed
to be quite excited and very much elated
| over something. He held a piece of pape,
i'll his hand and said, Now I've got The
sons - -" lie handed the paper tc
Mr.. Leake and asked him if he could
cash it. Some money changed hands
and Mr.. Leake went out. Witness the,
asked his brother if that was the matter
concerning which he had told him, and
he said it was.
Witness said he felt rather nervous
about it, and followed his brotherto the
Assembly cham Der, where the latter said
to him he had caught his enemies and got
the money. Witness said he did not like
the business at all, and went home. His
| brothers manner was that of a man who
| thought he had done right about some
thing. The next day he told witness he
had got that thing all right, and not to LET
| it worry him.
In response to further questions wit
| ness repeated the chief portions of his
testimony regarding what occurred in the
! library. He knew that his brother and
State Printer Johnston were warm per-
sonal friends.
To Mr.. Gould witness said his brother
was very reticent man, and one with a
great deal of stubbornness. Belau's
name had never been mentioned to wit
ness up to the time the Examiner article
appeared, but his brother had spoken OF
dark-complexioned man.
To Mr.. Mathews the witness said that
his brother sometimes confided matters
to him, and sometimes he did not Wit
ness was for several months associated in
the Office with him before he could learn
certain things that affected his brother.
Since this trouble came up he had found
it difficult to get his brother to talk about
it.
EDITOR HENDERSON RECALLED.
At this point Mr.. Bledsoe recalled Mr..
Henderson, Managing Editor of the Ec-
dnsiner, and asked him if the paper had,
while he was employed there, ever at
tackled MIR. Bruner. Witness said he
could not recall anything of the kind
during the five years he had been on the
paper.
Mr.. Gould asked him if he remembered
the fact of the Examiner having antag-
onized State Engineer Hall, and criticised
Mr.. Bruner in that connection. Witness
said he remembered about the Hall mat
ter, but did not about Mr.. Bruner in that
connection.
ABSENT WITNESSES.
Chairman Bledsoe said there were three
,rrit, n no nhllad-Connfc,,-