The record-union., 1891-02-13
BOARD OF TRADE.
Members Discuss the Boycott and
Bonded Debt Bills.
The Former Was Indorsed, but Final
Action Taken on the Latter
Postponed.

The Board of Trade met last evening in
the office of Grove L. Johnson for the
purpose of considering the bills affecting
the Sacramento bonded debt, now pend
ing in the Legislature, and also the boy
colt bill. There were present: P. E.
Platt, A. S. Hopkins, L. Tozer, Fred
Adams, G. M. Mott, L. A. Crouch, w. F.
Peterson, V. S. McCiatchy, II. Vein
stock, d. A. Lindley, Sparrow Smith, c.
H. Hubbard, e. X. Alsip, w. d. Com
stock, George Schroth, III. o. Beatty and
w. L. Gerber.
The first subject considered was the
boycott bill, now before the Legislature,
amending Section ls2 of the Penal Code,
making it a crime for two or more per-
sons to conspire to injure any person in
his business, or prevent any person from
exercising a lawful employment, and
fixing the punishment at Imprisonment
in the County Jail for not exceeding two
years, or by fine not exceeding $1,000,
or by both.
IS. McClatchy made an address on
the subject. After showing what he re-
garded as the evil effects of the boycott
on the community, he stated that one OF
the objects of the meeting was to get an
expression from the members of the
board as to whether or not they in
Gorsed the bill. He said he was aware
that no one of the business men present
wanted to express himself openly on the
question.
Fred Adams said he did not see why.
Gus Lavenson had been boycotted, and
while thus hampered he did one of the
best weeks work during his career.
Mr.. McClatchy = s. Ii the gentlemen
nrpGant n hoy,
selves, they can stand together, at least,
and recommend that the bill be either
passed or killed. MIR. Gerber, do you
think if the Buffalo Brewery had not been
started yet, you could now build such an
establishments
the streets to-day, l do not believe 1 could
get up such brewery enterprise"
Mr.. Adams-"Are not the legislators
able to take care of that bill without our
Endorsement ?"
Mr.. McClatchy replied that there were
always workers on both sides. Certain
workingmen did not want the bill passed.
and were using arguments TO defeat it.
Arguments Were needed on the other side
OF the question.
Mr.. Peteyson-"Its hard that we bust
ness men can't express our minds on this
subject for fear Of being boycotted."
Mr.. Hopkins-''I don't think there is a
the boycott, and | don't see why they are
afraid to express themselves"
Mr.. Peterson did not think it wise to
pass resolution indorsing the bill, even
though every man present was in favor
of it.
G. NJ. Motif was never noted for my
wisdom, but will make motion to the
effect that the board pass resolution in
dorsing this bill.''
Mr.. ToZer seconded the motion, the
board went into executive session, and,
after short discussion, the resolution
was unanimously adopted.
The bond matter was then taken up,
and to start the discussion a motion was
made that the board instruct the Sacra-
mento representatives in the Legislature
to vote for the passage Of the three bills
introduced, providing that tifty-five per
cent. of the net Gnstead of the gross pro-
ceeds of the waterworks, harbor dues
and licenses, be turned into the interest
and sinking fund.
the subject, condemning the bills, and
claiming that the city was on the brink of
a precipice. He could show that if the
bill was carried out the city would get
into litigation and would not recover for
at least ten years. If the Bonded Debt
Commission was let alone it would pay
off the debt Of the city in exactly seven
years and four months.
Mr.. WeinStock concurred in Mr..
Beatty's views, and did not think it wise
idea for the city to be continually fighting
the bondholders. 1t seemed to him that
it was to the interest of the people to wipe
out the debt as soon as possible, and in
stead of having the tax rate 81 20 on
every Sl00 of taxable property, reduce it
to 50 cents, the rate which would prevail
when the city was free from debt.
Senator Dray, who was present during
the discussion, said it was his own con-
viction that the city had better engage in
no more law suits with her creditors. He
would not support the original bill unless
the word met" was confined exclusively
to water works revenues, omitting har-
Dor dues, licenses, and Police Court fines.
e. X. Alsip and w. e. Gerber took an
opposite stand to Judge Beatty, holding
that the better plan would be to reduce
the tax rate as soon as possible, and take
a longer time to pay off the debt The
present city tax rate was driving thou
sands of people away from the town.
After further discussion, it was decided
that vote would not be taken until the
special committee of five appointed by
the board had further time to inform
themselves as to the merits of the bills.
The meeting adjourned to the call of
tba chair