The record-union., 1893-03-08

ter and ascertain if, under the law, it
would absolutely be necessary to print
the measures in the journal.
Senator MCGOWAN and the remainder
OF the legal lights on the committee made
descent upon the State Library and
delved into authorities. They found that
the Senate. under the existing circum-
stances, would be justified in simply
having the titles of the bills printed in
the journal. At the evening session
they made a report to that effect, to-
gether with the numerous authorities on
the point. The Senate breathed freer and
felt grateful towards its sharp boys.
MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE.
The Assembly mutual fire insurance
bill had narrow escape from defeat in
the Senate. 1t differs from Senator Nc
Gowan's bill in that it permits any and
everybody to form mutual fire insurance
companies and applies to all kinds of
property, while the McGowan bill sim
ply applies to farmers and farming prop
erty.
Senator Carpenter denounced the bill
as being infamous and a snare for the
peOple-those whom it pretended to bene-
fit
Nobody defended the bill, but, when
on roll-call it was found that only one
more vote was necessary to pass it, the
friends of the measure INDUCED i'll some
sharp tactics to get it through. a call of
the house was ordered, so as to run in
the absentees, but the Sergeant-a.-Arms
had a job finding them. Several at
tempts were made to have the proceed
ings under the call dispensed with, but
each motion was voted down. A recess
for ten minutes was taken, but nobody
was permitted to leave the room. FL
nally, after a halt-hour wait, Senator
| Ford, who had been excused from at
tending. put in an appearance, and being
favorable to the bill made the necessary
majority and the bill was passed.
Senator Mahoney was one of the alb
sentees whom the Sergeant-at-Ar was
directed to capture and drag before the
bar of the Senate. The Senator is more
than seven years old, however, and re-
solved not to be captured. In a race down
the main corridor he outfooted Rodgers,
and locked himself in the Assembly
cloakroom. Rodgers tried to 'shin"
over the partition, but Mahoney raped
him on the fingers with cane, causing
MIN to drop. Rodgers then went off for
leinforcements, The San Francisco Sem
ator took advantage of this temporary
truce, and slipping out of his hiding
place, darted upstairs to the top floor
| Here he slowed himself away in some
dusty closet, and try as he would, Rodg-
ers could not unearth him. There was
considerable fun at Rodgers expense
when, after the call had been dispensed
with, Mahoney marched triumphant into
the Senate and resumed his seat. "N o
| flies ON me-" he remarked in reply to the
congratulations he received from Sena-
| tors Hart and Ford.
GOOD NEWS FOR CoNvICTs.
Tue Assembly has reconsidered the vote
of few days ago which refused passage
to the substitute for Senate Bill No. 137,
creating Board of Parole Commission
ers who may recommend to the Board OF
Prison Directors that certain prisoners be
| given their liberty on parole"
Shanahan, in moving for a reconsdera-
ton Of the vote, said he believed the AS
sembly refused passage to the bill under
misunderstanding. Governor Mark
ham favors the bill, and to substautiate
his remarks he read from the Governor
late message to the Legislature. y SINH
lar law 10 what the bill proposes to enact
has been in successful operation fol
eight years in Ohio, and in New
y ork it gives excellent satisfaction
A mistaken idea prevailed, he said
that under the provisions of the bill
| prison gates would be thrown open and
the most vicious and hardened criminals
would be given their liberty. AS mat.
ter of fact, only those deserving and who
have shown by their acts that they merit
being released under parole will be given
an opportunity to breathe free air. The
restrictions under which prisoners may
be paroled are very strong. Should any
man who is released under parole prove
unworthy and make his escape the Parole
Commission would be held responsible
and the escape would prevent the future
operation of the law. Mistakes hav,
been made by judges and jurors. Every
incentive would be offered to prisoners
if released. to conduct themselves prop
erly, as they would be under the con
slant watch of the Parole Commissioners
and would live in fear of being returned
to prison. a special commission, ap
pointed by previous Legislature K
make an inspections of the workings o
the law in Eastern cities, reported in favo
of the parole system.
f Taylor said he first opposed the bill
but after mature consideration he be
f lieyed it to be a good measure. Restric
tions are placed upon parole prisoners s.
there need be no fear of their overstep
ping the bounds.
, Shanahan also said the State Board O
4 Prison Directors favored the bill.
VOTED TO RECONSIDER.
The Assembly voted by good majorit
? in favor of reconsideration. When tn
bill came up for final passage Mr.. Kahl
opposed it. He believed the bill wa
fraught with great danger. Under it
provisions it is possible that the creates
embezzler might convince the Prison Di
rectors that he is repentant and be re
: leased. He said it was not the low crimi
nal who would be benefited by the sys
tenn, but the shrewd, polished villain.
Under the provisions of the bill, sal
Mr.. Wade, criminals of the higher grad
! of intelligence, having influential friend,
could easily be released from prison
the end of a years service. Criminal
. when released could cross State lines an
. work damage to other people, and
would necessitate great expense to car
ture them. He said it was rare case fc
= a jury 10 convict an innocent man. Tt
but about the guilty too often escaping