The morning call., 1893-03-12
REA TO RESIGN.
His Colleagues Tired of His
Craftsmanship.
THAT RAILROAD COMMISSION.
Beckman Is Named as His Successor.
Huntington's Arrival Is
Expected Soon.

Jim Rea, recognizing the fact that he has
committed political suicide and that he is
politically dead, has made up his mind to
resign the Craftsmanship of the Railroad
Commission.
This move on the part of the San jose
wire-puller Is not altogether voluntary. and
those who know all about it claim that IT
was brought about principally through the
action of his fellOw-commissiOnerS Beck
man and Litchfeld, who are utterly dis
gusted with the showing Jim made before
the Legislature.
They blame him for all the Odium which
has been thrown on the commission, and
claim that he alone is responsible for the
adverse criticism the trio has been sub
jected to.
Tomorrow morning the commission will
meet, and 1t is at that time Rea's resigna-
tion is expected.
This meeting will be remarkable one in
another respect also, because it is said that
the notorious Shively case, which has been
conducted in farcicai manner for months,
in order TO keep up an appearance of
activity on the part Of the commission, will
be dismissed.
Just exactly what pretext will be used in
order TO make this dismissal appear justi-
fable IS not known as yet, but the Comms-
siOners and the lawyers in the case Will
doubtless find some plausible excuse for the
granting OF a motion TO drop the whole
matter.
There may, however, be a sham fight
made by some Of the Commissioners against
such an action, and 1t is said that possibly
the ShiVely farce may be continued for one
or two sessions so as TO make its disap-
peRrancs from public view look less like q
put-uD job, for after their experience in Sac
TamentO the big three" Rea, Lltchteld and
Beckman, want no more public inyestiga-
tlons just row.
II the Shively case is not dismissed TO-
morrow it will be dropped at one of the
boards meetings in the very nearest future,
for 1t Is dead now, and, for that matter, has
been nothing but an imposition ever since 1t
was first started.
Beckman, the Sacramento banker, Is
mentioned rs the likely successor to Rea If
the latter resigns the Craftsmanship, and,
according TO the remaining member OF the
board, he is quite welcome to the position.
when We were first appointed" said
Lilchheid to a CALL reporter, in speaking
Of the makeup of the commission, Il told
Beckman TO take the chaIrmRnship or 10 let
me- have 1t. did not care which of the TWO
alternatives he chose to adopt but he in
sisted upon voting tor Rea, ana now he can
see what mess Ne made of it,"
Mr. Litchteld is in a very much subdued
N oOd nowadays. and those who have
known him in the past as the dapper, lively
little tailor and politician hardly recognize
in him DOW his former self.
The people of this state have lost con-
fidenCe IN us he said in fearful tone of
voice. They ne longer consider 1t of any
use TO lodge complaints with Us, because
the newspapers have publs he'd all the evil
dence piled up against us before the Legis-
lature."
1t seemed TO be but little consolation to
the uniform contractor, who makes the gilt
buttoned coats worn by the Southern Pa
ciic Railroad employees, that owing to the
allegiance the majority OF the Senate owed
70 Mr. Huntington he would be allowed to
draw his $1,000 a year salary for the future
as he has done in the past.
lie was crushed, nevertheless, because
his ambition TO pose as an honest, hard
working Railroad Commissioner had been
nipped in the bud.
III they had only left US alone" he
walled. ''what, great things could we have
ACCOMPLISHED"
And everybody who knows Litchfeld
VIII at once realize that he told Just what
lie felt when lie SAID this, for TO be left
alone when he Is In Office is the P0st-street
taIioTs most earnest desire, as is well
known TO the people OF this State.
Another railroad rumor which has con-
siderable significance just now is the re-
ported arrival Of Mr.. Huntington IN this
city within two weeks time.
Preparations Tor his reception are being
made and his CalifGrnia-street residence IS
being put in readiness for bis expected ar
rival.
The Inauguration of The North American
Navigation Company, which Huntington
tried so hard to prevent, is said TO be the
cause for his coming here al this time.
This new company is, although still an
infaut, making whole lot of trouble for
The Cfflcials down on the corner of Fourth
and Townsend streets, and the presence of
the chief Of the concern which has its head
quarters there has become necessity.
The Traffic Associations whole time is
just now devoted to the perfection of the
rrata taraF M ta far ~ iNa
steamship lines affairs. Manager Leeds
said yesterday that he win be busy all next
week in that connection.
1T is MT nearly so much on account of
the capital needed" said he, because we
have every assurance that that part of the
business Is all right, but we are about to
secure the necessary steamers, and although
there are several we have options on no
definite arrangements have been made"
The contract with the Panama Railroad
Company calls for steamers of 1000 or moro
tonnage, and therefore the ST. Paul cannot
be retained by the new COMPANY and tor
the same reason such steamers rs the Mex
leo, willamette or San Juan, which have
been mentioned as being considered, are not
available.
The departure Of the next steamer is set
for the 23d inst, but what steamer will be
chartered for that trip is not known pos
lively as yet.
However, there will be three vessels of
21GO or more tonnage, making semi-mcnthly
trips between this port aud Panama very
shortly, and that is all that can be said on
this subject just now.
+. w. Van Sicklen of Dodge, Sweeney &
Co. has been elected second vice-pres-
ldent OF the Trafic Association, vice l.. L.
Baker, deceased. His place on the execu-
tive committee was filled yesterday by
Hermann Bendel of Tillmann & Bendell.
A. G. Davis Of Davis Brothers was
elected member of the same committee to
Ill the vacancy caused by the resign alton
Of ). Schillng.