The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-06
BRUNER'S DENIAL.
The ASSemblyman Poses as an
Injured Innocent.
Hs Says Hs viii Ezeulpate Himself on
tho Floor Of the House.
RumOS Of Other Legislative Scandals.
Many Bills Declared Measures Of
UrSeHCy-AGtS Passed.
Epecial to THE MORNING CALI

ious to obtain such a position created
profound sensation at the capitol to-day.
BY many it was received as gospel truth,
but majority of the Legislature knowing
well the unreliability of the paper that pub
lished the story, decided TO walt for tie
other side of the narrative before passing
verdict on the accused Assemblyman. 1t
was said that the reporter was offered the
position by two men who are well known
in San Francisco. for $500, the money to be
paid to Mr. Bruner, who in consideration
of his services in passing the bill increasing
the police force had been given the privi-
lege of selling six positions on it.
THE ALLEGED TRANSACTION,
The reporter was brought to Sacramento
by the two men who claimed to be Mr..
Burners agents, and met the Assemblyman
in the State Library, where he says he paid
Mr.. Bruner for the position, giving him
certificate Of deposit on the Croker Wool
worth Bank for the amount specified by
the agents. Mr.. Bruner then, it is said,
gave the would-be policeman letter to the
Police Commissioners of San Francisco.
recommending him as fit person to be
given star. This letter was the only
known evidence against Mr.. Bruner, for
the certificate of deposit which was obtained
at the bank proved nothing, and an impress
sion prevailed among those who saw Mr..
Burners bright and smiling countenance
this morning that the reporter had been
duped. But later in the day it was said the
fnculpating certificate of deposit had been
given by Mr.. Bruner to a friend, TO whom
he was under an obligation, and this friend
had given the thing away" to several &C
Quaintances.
MIR. BBUNER DENIES THE STORY.
THE CALL CORR ondent saw Mr.. Bruner
tonight and questioned him as to the truth
Of the story.
The story is not true" he said, ''but
can give you no explanation of it tonight.
Tomorrow will produce uncomfortable
proof Of my innocence on the floor of the
Assembly, and l viii ask for q thorough in
VeStigation. There are circumstances CON-
Hec;ed with the transaction which will ex-
plain and my friends are confident Of my
ability to eXonerate myself.
Have you taken any steps toward obtain
Ing legal Tedress?"
Not yet; 1 will see a lawyer about it To-
morrow"
"Nill you sue the paper for libel?"
Il will follow my lawyers advice.
Public sentiment here is in favor Of sus-
pending judgment on Bruner until he has a
chance TO viudicate himself, and it is ru-
mOTed that be viii say something which
the Examiner will not care to print.
Nothing but contempt IS expressed for the
manner in which the trap was set for
BruGer. Tie paper deliberately set about
to cause the ANsemblyman's fail, and is as
freely condemned as himself. 1t is asked
that il Bruner is guilty of bribe-taking, is
not the Examiner guilty OF conspiracy?
OTHER SCANDALS.
Tie unlocked for disclosure has set many
tongues waggins. 1t is said two members
have been caught selling their votes for the
SenatUTshIp. An attacAe OF the Assembly
on sunday overheard one Of the most
prominent members Of the Assembly tell
ing two country members that If they would
. follow him he would lead them where the
most money was to be. For obvious reasons.
this attache did not linger to hear the rest
Of the conversation.
prominent member of the House called
upon one of the most influential Senators
last Sunday afternoon and stated that he
had been offered $500 to vote for Mike de
Young, and the existence of the voting
trusts to capture the sack is now believed
to be established.
.. - NEW COUNTY LOBBYISTS.
D.: As stated in this correspondence one week
= agO'it is currently repori ed that $4,000 was
County Act. The lobbyists who came here
r TO oppose the creation of Pomona County
have come back to oppose the creation of
Rigerside County. They are, as a matter
OF course credited with having big sack in
their possession.
The reason why the Appropriation Bill
e. was introduced early in the session is now
apparent 1t Will reach the Governor more
than ten days before adjournment and il lie
yetoesit the Legislature will pass it over
the'vetO.
URGENT BILLS.
. In the Senate to-day the following bills
were declared measures of urgency and will
be given preference over all others: The
80 bill declaring Petaluma River public way I;
the bill to prohibit the publication Of lottery
advertisements OrdrawlDgs; the bill author
hing the Veterans Home Association to re-
convey land used as a cemetery to the city
of San Francisco; the bill appropriating
money for the erection of a monument to
General Vallejo In Golden Gate Park; the
bill providing for the exclusion OF Chinese
from the State and the registration of Chi
nese now residents, and the deportation of
Chinese criminals and Chinese unlawfully
inthe State; the bill requiring Boards of Su-
e. peryisors to fix salaries for members
Of boards of health; the bill requiring mine
owners to make affidavit of labor and i'm
provemenUs made upon claims as required
by law within thirty days after performing
such labor; the bill prohibiting gas cOmpa-
than 81 so per thousand feet of gas. which,
when passed through burners, shall have an
illuminating power OF not less than sixteen
candles; the bill for establishing and regu-
latiDg paid fire department in San Fran
cisco.
=. A futile effert was made to have the bill
creating the county of Riverside added TO
this list.
SELLING LIQUOR TO MINORS.
The Senate passed Assemblyman Young's
bill previding that every person who sells or
=. gives or causes to be delivered 10 any minor
-. child. male or female, under the age of 16
= years, any intoxicating drink In any guam
tlty whatsoever. or who, as proprietor or
manager Of auy saloon, or public
!, house, where intoxicating liquors are
.. sold, permits any such minor child
under the age of sixteen years
. to visit said saloon OF publc-house where
intoxicating liquors are sold for the purpose
Of gambling. playing cards, billiards, pool or
any game of chance, shall be deemed guilty
of the crime Of misdemeanor, and shall up
On conviction thereof be punished bv fine
Of not less than 500 nor more than $500. and
in default of payment oil said hne snail be
Imprisoned in the County Jail for period
=: Of not less than loo days.
This bill now requires but the Governor
signature to become a law.
AN APPEAL IN CONTEMPT CASES.
The Senate passed AssemblYman BRUSHES
bill providing that an appeal may be taken
from all the judgments and orders OF the
court or Judge made In cases of contempt
the. same as 10 civil cases.
The Senate has passed the bill passed by
- the Assembly appropriating $4,000 for the
1elief OF Emma Kelly. whose husband owed
bis death 10 defective pier.
THE BALLOT BATTLE.
kTHe friends and the enemies of ballot re-
form are ready for the battle that is to be
fought to finish on the floor Of the Assem-.
bly, Tomorrow afternoon.
Judge Dlbble will have no peace until the
great speech he is to deliver is Of his
tongue, and the friends Of the bill are very
willing that he should deliver himself of it
4'he fact is that Dibble, instead of gaining
has lost by the many delays for which he
worked SO hard. These delays have exas
pefated the friends of the measure, whit
might have been willing some time ago Il
have had 1t amended. but seeing now tina
any amendment wouh kill the bill they vii