The record-union., 1893-02-04

by suggesting that the resolution be re-
Ierred to the Judiciary Committee, of
winch he is a member. Yet that COM
mlttee had already reported the Assem-
bly, resolution back without recommends
ton, and had positively refused to give
the Commissioners a hearing. And Mr..
Gesford, in his speech, declared that he
cared not for justice nor fairness, but
would pitch the commission out of
the window, without even giving a
chance to say a word in defense. These
remarks. said Mr.. Earl, were surprise
to him-he had thought better of his col
league. "This Legislature," said Mr..
Earl, 'is in no mood to deprive any citi
zen of the rights he derived from his
Maker" The Constitution of California
and that of the United States, he said,
essayed to teach the people to be just.
lie read passages from the California
Constitution: I'VE, the people of the
state of California, grateful TO Almighty
God for our freedom, in order to secure
and perpetuate its blessings, do establish
TINS Constitution: All men are by nature
free and independent, and have certain
INALIENABLE RIGHTS,
Among which are those of enjoying and
defending life and liberty; acquiring, pos
sessing and protecting property, and
pursuing and obtaining safety and hap
piness. Ali political power is inherent in
the people. Government is instituted for
the protection, security and benefit of the
people, and they have the right to alter or
reform the same whenever the public
good may require it. No person shall be
deprived of life, liberty or property with
out due process of law" Resuming, Mr..
Earl said that the first lessons Mr. Ges-
ford studied when preparing for his pro-
fession, taught him how to be Just be-
tween man and man. The very princi-
pies of that honorable profession were
fairness and justice. The right to defend
ones property and life was no more i'm
portant than the right to defend ones
reputation. Was it possible that the Leg
lsIature is going to set the dangerous pre-
cedent of branding man with the hand
of opprobrium, without first giving him
an opportunity of saying a word in his
own behalf? No, the speaker did not be-
lieve that the body was composed of any
such material. He did not believe that
the Legislature intended to convert itself
into lynching party.
Senator McAllister, who wants to first
convict people and then try them after
ward, rose to make a speech, but as the
noon hour had arrived he was shut off.
When the Senate reconvened in the after
noon, however, he finished his speech. He
had an idea in his head that pitching out
the gentlemen composing the Railroad
Commission would not injure their stand
ing at all. and that they might appear be-
fore the people again as candidates for the
same office, and thus vindicate them
selves.
Senator Martin of Placer, in one of his
characteristic speeches, argued for hear
ing for the Commissioners. If ANYBODY
should charge him with dereliction, he
said, he would certainly expect to get a
hearing before being fired" out of the
Senate. When lawyer is accused of un-
professional conduct he is arraigned be-
fore the Bar Association and given hear
ing-so with a doctor and any other man.
Things have been charged against the
Commissioners" he said, that are seri-
Gus, and the Senate has right to know
whether they were true or not"
sEAwELL FOR JUSTICE.
Senator Seawell, who is generally op-
posed to most everything that comes up,
surprised the natives by favoring the res
olution. He said it was against his prin-
ciples-whatever may be his convictions
as regards the Railroad Commissioned
convict anybody without first giving
them a hearing. He thought it would be
bad policy to refer the matter to the Ju-
dietary Committee, in the face of what
Gestord, Ostrom and McAllister had
said. Committees took up too much
time. He felt humiliated by the express
sions made by the three gentlemen
named. The argument that the commits
sion should be thrown out without hear
ing was monstrosity. He was in favor
of McGowan's resolution-that the Com
missioners be summoned before the bar,
but thought, in order to save time, that
the Senate should hold night session
and hear the matter. so that the regular
business of the body could proceed dur
ing the day.
The President said that under the rules
of the Senate the general file must be
taken up at o'clock and continued until
4, and unless the Senate voted to sus-
pend the rules, at this time, the file would
have to be taken up in a few minutes.
The roll was then called on the rules.
and by heavy vote it was decided to sus-
pend and proceed with the speeches..
Senator Ford, the talented young Sierra
statesman, then took the floor, and said
that his understanding of the situation
was that the Assembly had adopted a
concurrent resolution, which was now
pending in the Senate, providing for the
removal of the Railroad Commissioners
without allowing them to be heard in their
own defense. 81 appreciate" he said.
chow easy it is to drift with the popular
current, but when that current sets in
toward the Middle Ages, trust the good
Lord who made me may endow me with
sufficient moral courage to stem it's force.
If we are to proceed in this summary
manner to depose State officials. we
might as well nail upon the doors of this
Senate Chamber the inscription that
Dante found over gates of the Inferno,
"Au hope abandon, ye vino enter here"
BURKE GROWS WILD.
Senator Burke, who had been gnashing
his teeth at each suggestion that the Com
missioners be given hearing before their
execution, now got up and frothed at the
mouth. Like Gesford, he wanted to pull
on the rope that would hang the Com
missioners, guilty or innocent. He had
the nerve to characterize the appeals OF
Senators McGowan, Earl, Ford and
others for fair play as ''a mortal blow to
the peoples cause" The Legislature, he