The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-02-15
JOHNSON'S DEFENSE.
TRYING TO BLACKEN THE CHAR
ACTER OF WITNESSES.
Evidence Given by Commissioner
Rea's Political Enemies-More
Testimony to Come.

Assemblyman Johnson, who is ac-
cused by Railroad Commissioner Rea of
having offered to sell his vote for 500,
presented more evidence in his defense
last evening before the special Assembly
Investigating Committee.
Most of the testimony was given by
witnesses who have had trouble either
with Rea or his cohorts in local affairs at
San Jose. where, to judge from the evil
dence given before the committee, there
has been great deal of factional strife.
Several witnesses who had been sum-
moned, sent in excuses for not being
present. Two or three were i'll, or pro-
fessional engagements kept them away.
Anumber ofwitnesses, chiefly from San
Jose, were called, and briefly questioned
by Attorney McPike and more vigorously
by Attorney Richards and members of
the committee.
NJ. C. Harris, a San Jose publisher, was
first sworn. He testified that he knew
Major Z. L. Darlington for over year,
and had printed paper called the Demo
crdt for him. He looked to Darlington
for pay for printing the paper, which
amounted to from SIT 80 to $50 80 per
w
guaranteed by ii. j. Edwards. Edwards
had also paid balance of 50 in settlement
| for the printing of the Democrat. Shortly
after the paper was started q cartoon was
printed, which the witness feared was
| libelous, and he refused to insert it until
Edwards agreed 10 protect him against a
| suit.
To this testimony Mr.. Richards inter
posed objections, but Mr.. McPike in
sisted that he wanted to show the init
macy that existed between Rea, Ed
wards, harrington and others.
Witness, when questioned as to Bar
ringtou's reputation, replied that it was
not of the best. He couldn't say much
about Edwards reputation except from
hearsay, but he was regarded as politi-
| cal "bosS."
Judge w. NJ. Williamson, Justice OF
| the Peace in San Jose for a number OF
years, testified without hesitation thai
Edwards reputation for truth, honesty
and integrity was bad. Mckenzie's rep
utation was also bad and Barrington's
was bad. When cross-examined by
Richards, witness said he would not be-
lieve Edwards under oath and he had
known him for twelve or fifteen years
He admitted that Edwards did not agree
with him because he had refused to de.
eide cases in his court before they were
tried in Edwards favor. Edwards die
help him to get out of the payment OF his
Just debts. He had decided two suits
against Edwards.
Judge Williamson was so willing 8
witness and so caustic in his statement,
that he was questioned very cautiously
and soon dismissed.
DIR. w. II. Robinson of Alameda, s
dentist doing business in San Francisco
was sworn, and when questioned by Nc
Pike as TO certain transactions with Com
missioner Rea, MIR. Richards objected tC
the testimony unless Mr.. Abbott was
present. When asked if he ever at
tempted to biackmail Mr.. Rea in the con
troversy over a communication ticket, DR.
Robinson replied that he had not, anC
that all which had been said on this poin
was absolutely and Internationally false
MIR. Richards objected to any further
evidence of that character, and demanded
that DR.. Robinson's answer be stricken
from the record, as it tended TO impeacl
Mr.. Rea and WAS not permissible unles.
Mr.. Abbott could be heard on the othe
side.
Both Mr.. McPike and Mr.. Richards
wanted Mr.. Abbott summoned. but they
were informed that he was not within
. reach and unreasonable delay would en-
sue.
DIR. Robinson was finally excused, anC
Adam Riehl. Mayor and member of thu
City Council of Gilroy, was called.
Mr.. Riehl testified that he knew boil
II. j. Edwards and John Mckenzie, ant
that the general reputation of both wa
bad. Questioned by MIR. Richards. Mr.
Riehl admitted that there was a livel,
, business rivalry between the gas com
pany and the electric light company il
San Jose. Witness was President of tn
gas company, and Edwards had formerl
been Superintendent of the gas company
but had been discharged by witness. II
, had been discharged for untruthfnlnes