The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-01-28
CLAIMS APPROVED.
Some Relief Bills that are Recon-
mended for Passage.
Mr.. Gutenberger's Moss-Covered, but
Equitable Demand for His
Long-Lost Tools.

The Senate Committee on Claims was
In session late last night, and took action
on quite number of relief bills.
That appropriating 5000 for Cornelius
Lynch, for injuries sustained by him
while in the service of the State Board OF
Harbor Commissioners, had narrow
escape from receiving an adverse report.
While the roll was being called there
were but four of the seven members pres
ent, and the motion to recommend its
passage would have failed; but just then
the three other members entered the
room, and the bill was further discussed.
Finally motion to reduce the claim to
$500 was carried, and thus amended the
bill will this morning be recommended
for passage.
Lynch had one of his knee-caps frac-
tured by falling pile, and was confined
to his bed for six months, and will be a
cripple for life.
RIVER ENGINEERS.
E. c. Grunsky, one of the members of
the Board of Examining Engineers, APP
pointed two years ago to examine and re-
port on the condition of the Sacramento
and San Joaquin rivers and their tribu-
taries, appeared before the board to ask
for the passage of bill appropriating the
sum of 1857 % to reimburse the members
of the board for moneys advanced by
them to pay their necessary expenses
while engaged in the performance of their
duties
Senator Campbell of Solano advanced
the idea that the engineers should stand
their expenses themselves, and he refused
TO recede from that proposition even after
Mr.. Grunsky read that section of the law
creating the board, which expressly pro-
Vldnl that the mpnDprS ShOlllG rpcpjUa
each 81, 400 per year salary and their necet-
sary travelling expenses and the cost of
maps, etc.
Mr.. Grunsl1y explained to the commit
tee that Controller Dunn refused to pay
the salaries of the board until commanded
by the mandate of the Supreme Court to
do SO; and when they submitted demands
for their travelling expenses he refused to
pay those also. They then concluded to
pay their own expenses, instead of insti-
tuting another suit, and trust to the Legis-
lature to allow the money.
The committee unanimously decided
(Mr. Campbell not voting) to recommend
the passage of the bill.
THOSE LOST TOOLS.
The next bill taken UP was one appro-
priating 81 ,645 to reimburse ex-Trustee
VIM. Gutenberger of this city for tools
lost by the State while in use at the Fol
som Prison. The title to this bill he'd q
familiar sound to the ears of all the mem
bers of the committee who had served in
either branch of the Legislature during
the last decade, and when Chairman Hea-
cock read il they all pricked up their ears
like old warehouses when the distant
toot of the bugler is heard on the Fourth
of July-and smiled. If they had met it
elsewhere than in the committee-room
they would probably have dotted their
hats to such an old acquaintance.
This bill Of MIR. Gutenberger's has be-
come an integral part Of the political and
legislative history of the State. Refer
ences to it may be found in volume after
volume ofthe Legislative journals. When
1t first made its bow before Legislature
it went through the Senate but was put
to sleep in the Assembly. Two years
afterward it met with the favor OF the last
named branch of the Legislature, but was
hypnotized, as it were, in the Senate.
1t came up refreshed and smiling, how
ever, two years later, and this time both
the Senate and Assembly became i'm
pressed with its merits land staying pow
ers), and in the last hours of the session it
found itself among a batch OF bills that
were honored with transmission to the
Governors office.
AS soon as the Legislature adjourned
Governor Bartlett was taken sick and
took a trip hence for his health. He
placed the Gutenberger bill in his over
coat pocket, with several others, doubt
less intending to peruse it at his leisure
while listening to the prattle of the waves
that lave the shores of Clear Lake and vie
with the siren songs of the backwoods
bellies. But the Governors health did
not return for many days, and when he
did fee Die to return to the Capital the
bill had remained SO long in his pocket
that it was too late to find a place in the
printed volume of statutes of that session
of the Legislature.
Enapn l,xvh iol Lo,.
ever, Mr.. Gutenberger once more
launched his favorite bark on the legis-
lative waters two years ago, and again it
calamity rode the breakers that roll be-
tween the north and south wings of the
Capitol, and put in the Executive harbor
under full sail and with its colors flying
at the masthead. But there-where it
expected to find haven ofrest and a sur
cease from weary wanderingS among
legislative shoals-it again came to grief
Governor Waterman somehow over
looked it for period of more than ten
days, which meant, in legislative lingo,
that lit wasn't in it" any further.
At the request of the new members on
the committee, and at the earnest solicit
tation of the old ones, Mr.. Gutenberger
last evening rehearsed his oft told tale,
which may be of interest to others than
legislators. 1t recites, in brief, the fact
that, when the original prison contractor
had given up his job in disgust, he
{Gutenberger) was Iemployed by Cover
nor Irwin to do certain iron-work on the
cells, cornice and roof of the prison
building. After completing his contract
he was requested by the superintendent
of the work "a Mr.. Salisbury to leave
his tools there for while, as he wished
to use them.
Mr.. Gutenberger complied with the
request. One day car on which the
tools were loaded became unmanageable,
and plunging down an incline, shot into
the seething waters of the American
River-tools and all. And there the lat
ter lie to this day.
The committee last evening questioned
Mr.. Gutenberger at some length regard
ing the nature and value of the lost i'm
plements, and again decided that the ex-
Trustee of the Capital City has lust
claim upon the State for recompense for
his loss, and decided to report the bill
back to the Senate with the recommends
ton for its passage.
If it doesn't get through both houses
and the Governors Office pretty soon, it
will die of old age.
WHAT THEY DID.
Business Transacted by the Museum