The record-union., 1891-03-07
TEE BRUNER Case.
Assemblyman Bruner Makes
Statement Before the House.
He Charges Conspiras,' to Ruin Him
"A Witness Examined I'm the As
semblyman's Behalf-Committee of
Investigation Ordered by the House
Sensational Scenes.

sensational scenes.
The readers of the REcoRD-UNIoN of
yesterday were made familiar with the
charge published in the San Francisco
Examiner against Assemblyman FL
wood Bruner of the Sacramento
legislative delegation. That paper
alleged that Mr.. Bruner, who
had introduced the police increase bill,
had been traf1icking in the sale of posi-
tions upon the San Francisco police force;
that he had sold one for S400 and had
written letter to the Police Commission
ers, recommending the party who paid
the money; that the name given of that
party was fictitious one, and that the sup
posed purchaser was a reporter who was
unearthing the matter of traffic in posi-
tions.
The news of the charges created great
excitement in this city, and was the one
absorbing topic of conversation. The de-
mand on all sides was that an investiga-
ton be made, and the RECORD UNIONS S
expression that Mr.. Bruner owed it to
his constituents, to the State and to him.
self to move for an investigation, was by
everyone approved.
On the assembling Of the House yester-
day morning, the Chamber was crowded
to its full capacity by anxious people in
expectancy that Mr.. Bruner would rise
to a question of privilege. The Senate
failed of a quorum and took an adjourn
ment, all the Senators fiocking into the
Assembly Chamber. There was notice
able in the large audience all the evil
dences of intense excitement ill-sup-
pressed.
After the formal business of opening
Assemblyman Bruner arose and asked
leave to speak upon question of personal
privilege. During his address he was fire.
quently interrupted by loud applause,
which sometimes broke into cheers, and
the members of the Legislature of both
political shades were the most energetic
in applauding.
AT the conclusion of his remarks, q
committee of investigation having been
appointed, great many crowded about
Mr.. Bruner and conversed excitedly with
him and with each other, the majority
complimenting him on the delivery of his
reply to the charges.
The Assemblyman said:
Mr.. Speaker: In yesterdays Examine,
appeared several columns Of matter, al
most entirely referring to myself, bring
ing charges of such serious nature that
consider it was properly nay duty and the
right of this Assembly to bring it before
the body of which l am a member that
they may judge justly and honestly be-
tween the accuser and the accused 1t is
serious matter to be charged with q
crime at any time, and it is more serious
one to be charged with knowledge Of the
fact and with the proof on the part of the
accuser. But / am here to say, not only
to the members of this Assembly who
have treated me so courteously for the
last two months, but to those who arc
friends or enemies who are here this
morning to listen to my remarks, that
am standing on truth and justice and viii
down my accuser sitting in front Of me al
his desk. [Applause.]
1t is not the first time charges
have, been made against me in Sac.
ramento County, it is not the tirst
time that 1 have had to fght
yet have lost fight, and L will win thi:
as sure as there is God in Heaven. [Ap-
plause and cheers. / was somewhat
surprised yesterday to know that other
papers beside the Examiner did me the
injustice to link this charge with Other
charges that have been made against me
from time to time in the city and county
of Sacramento. 1 thought it was in.
justice; that | ought to be heard upon the
merits of this case and this case alone.
l see in the lobby here to-day men who
have charged me with almost every crime
that could be committed by citizen in s
free land, and yet every time the people
of Sacramento, knowing them all, have
returned me to office by a larger majority
than before. 1t is stated that the Crane
Jury was going to indict me, but that
was saved by my friends, and it is proper
that l should reply at this time. A Crane
Jury, composed of a consolidated thir
teen out of nineteen, determined anC
made propositions that if l would stant
in with them and bring suit against Ger
tain officers | could have any Office, anC
that the people of Sacramento County
would stand by me. For ten long months
that Grand Jury sat and endeavored K
compel me by. every aspersion and by
every threat to bring those suits. when
knew as a lawyer that it was not justice
and l would not do it.
/ am q man, if anything, / think, O
positive opinions and positive convic
tions, and am not afraid to express them
there is not a man living, there is not ;
corporation, there is not a community
and there is nothing under God in Heavei
that would change me from the cours,
that my judgment and conscience die
tateS; and that is the reason why hav,
SO many enemies in Sacramento City.
While District Attorney of this county
for four years / made investigation!
secretly and openly, in the Grand Jury
and outside of it, trying to defeat the Jury
bribers which had such a fastened holC
upon the courts of Sacramento County
Every man of these, and some of tnen
here this morning, are hoping to set
me downed. because OF the fight mad,
against them at that time. So much fol
these matters. The people of Sacra.
were published from day 10 day in news.
papers published in this city during the
last campaign; these charges were tier
ated and reiterated; they were proven
to be false, and the people of this county
returned me by larger majority thar
the head of the ticket.
do not speak boastfully; speak O
that simply as an answer to the charges
made against me, that my own people
who have known my record-and hav,
been before them four times for election
have every time returned me with an in
creased majority to any position to which
i asplred. So say paid no attention t,
these things. / want to bring it up her,
that these gentlemen who telegraphe6
these matters TO their papers might in
form them properly of these men wht
dare not face me here or anywhere else
lApplause.l
With regard to the matter in hand. o.
the 18th day of January l introduced
several bills in the Assembly. For SOM
years Sacramento City has been gov
erned by charter that elected but /
policemen, and being city of thirt,
thousand inhabitants it needed NOR
M e AAo'