The record-union., 1891-01-23

should be adopted.
Mr.. Doty-There is not man interested
in the welfare Of the State, whether inside
or outside the Legislature, but is ready to
vote on the question of abolishing the
Railroad Commission. think it waste of
time-time which will be very precious be-
fore the session is over, to delay action on
this matter. The facts are patent that the
Commission has proven a failure, and it is
best that the question be brought up on
the floor and settled at once. Let the peo-
pie but have chance to put their feet on
this commission, and promise you they
will do it.
Mr.. Dibble-I aggree with the sugges-
ton made, that it was not intended that
the standing committee on commissions
should consider constitutional amend
ments. Such amendments should pro-
perly be considered in the House. i see
no necessity for any Investigation, either,
for believe every one has made up his
mind. The amendment was reported
back with recommendation by the Judici-
ary Committee, that it might be made a
special order, debated fully and got out of
the way.
Mr.. Hail-Should the substitute prevail
it will be construed as an effort to evade
the issue. / wish to see the Republican
party, as represented here, meet the ques-
ton squarely.
Mr.. Bledsoe-I think the proper course
is to have the debate on the floor. Like
the gentleman from Sacramento, think
the commission has been tried and found
wanting; that the people long ago con-
demned it, and that no member needs
tarther,proof that it is dead failure, a
useless piece of machinery, expensive to
the taxpayers.
Mr.. Martini wish to enter my pro-
test against the substitute. To adopt it
will require two trips and consequently
m ny.n fl1pl R pf snI
price under the Mckinley tariff and the
scarcity of rain, we should take but one
voyage.
Mr.. Shanahan-To show the impracti-
cability of the substitute motion. I will
read the list of work laid out by the Com
mittee on Commissions: Monday, Fish
and Game and Silk Culture Commits
sions; Tuesday, Horticultural Board
of Commission; Wednesday, Viticultural
Commission; Thursday, Mining. Bureau;
Friday, Yosemite Valley Commission;
Monday, February I'd, State Board Of
Forestry. III the substitute motion pre-
walls, the committee cannot consider this
amendment until after February %.
Mr.. Gould-This matter involves the
interests of the people, who are looking
to the Legislature to consider it now
While have the highest respect for the
members of the committee, / do not
think we need to wait for any report
from them before taking action.
Mr.. Renfro-I am ready to vote on the
amendment now, and believe the people
of the State are. Nothing can be gained
by postponing it, and the sooner we act
the better.
Mr.. Robertson-To refer the matter to
the committee would simply be to XIII it,
because the resolution creating the COM
mittee provides that it shall prepare and
report a bill to carry out its conclusions
The substitute motion was voted down,
and the amendment made the special
order for Thursday next at p. II.
GENERAL FILE.
/ A. B. rs (Wentworth), amending Sec
ton 1916 of Political Code, relating to
jurisdiction and powers Of Boards of
Supervisors. Passed on file.
| q a. B. 6S Smith of Orange), amending
Municipal Corporation Act.
Mr.. Jersey moved that it be recon-
mitted to special committee of one, with
instructions to make clerical amend
ments.
Mr.. Fowler moved that the special
committee be also instructed to amend
by adding after the words ''or otherwise
Section 10, 'and it shall be unlawful for
any county officer of the county in which
said city or town is situated to collect any
such license otherwise than as herein pro-
vided"
The motion was lost-ayes 81, noes %.
The motion of Mr.. Hersey then pre-
| vailed, and the bill was reported back
| amended according to instructions and
| ordered reprinted.
Recess.
Afternoon Session.
House. reassembled. Speaker in the
chair Roll called. Quorum present.
Mr.. Dibble in the chair.l
SPECIAL ORDER.
A. B. 112, amending Subdivision of
Section % of County Government Act.
Read second time.
Mr.. Barnard, Chairman of the commit
tee, offered a3cOmmittee substitute for the
bill. Na
Mr.. Clark moved that the substitute be
printed and the bill passed on file.
Mr.. Robertson-I have just had copy
of the substitute laid on my desk, and
object to it being passed to print; and also
object to 1t being considered, because
from an inspection of it / am satisfied it
is not a substitute, but subterfuge in
tended to switch the House off from a
consideration of the questions involved
in the bill.
Mr.. Doty-I feel very much the same
way. In fact, | know good deal more
than like to state. feel and know that
the substitute is intended to stave off ac-
ton, and therefore object to the matter
going over. Ii there is no merit in the
bill, vote it down; if there is merit in it,
do not try to kill it by substitute.
The motion of Mr.. Clark was lost, as
was the substitute, and the bill was or
dered engrossed.
A. B. 142 (Mathews), amending Section
400 of the Civil Code, relative to street
| railway franchises. Passed-ayes As,
noes 20. Mr.. Arms gave notice Of mo-
ton to reconsider.
| A. B. Ia, (Culver), amending Section
497 of the Civil Code with reference to
electric street railways.
| Onmotion of Mr.. Culver, the petitions
! for the passage of the bill were read.
| Mr.. Culver-The section sought to be
| amended was adopted in 1876, and it has
! remained unchanged until this day. At
| that time electricity was unknown as a
motive power for street railways. This
amendment merely provides that the
authorities granting street railway fran
chises may permit the use of electricity,
| If it is practicable. 1t is simply to put
| California in the van of progress, even
with the rest OF the world. l have been
advised by two eminent attorneys that
this bill is actually necessary.
Passed-ayes 43, noes %. Mr.. Robert
A. b. Co., (Galbraithl, authorizing cities
to acquire water-rights. Passed.
A. b. 1l6, Culver, to confirm and
make valid electric railway franchises
heretofore granted.
Mr.. Gulver-Since 1876 there has been
no provision for electric railways. 1t
must have been overlooked. But fran
chises have been granted, and hundreds
of miles of electric road built. 1t has
been discovered lately that they have no
real warrant of law, and this is to legalize
andcontirm them.
Passed-ayes 46, noes 25. Mr.. Dunn
gave notice OF a motion to reconsider.
| REPORT.
By Mr.. Bruner, from the Judiciary
Committee, reporting back the Worlds
Fair appropriation bill, with the opinion