The record-union., 1893-02-22
JOHNS0NS STORY.
HE IS PUT THROUGH A RIGID
DISCRIMINATION.
More Testimony as to the Regulations
of the Prosecutions
Witnesses.

The Rea-Johnson investigation was
further prosecuted in the Assembly
Chamber last night, much TO the discom-
future OF the Sergeant-at-Arms, how
ever. That gentleman wanted the in
vestigating committee to occupy other
/ quarters, that he might arrange the
chamber for the memorial services to-
! day. Several members Of the committee
objected and the investigation went on
as usual in the Assembly Chamber
| Mr.. Johnson was recalled and cross
examined by Attorney richards. who
asked him if Major harrington had
asked him to go to Mr.. Rea and borrow
| 500 he would have done so.
An objection was taken by Attorney
McPike and sustained by the chair on
| the ground that the question was mis-
! leading.
| johnson said he had marked no card in
| Reas room, and Richards requested him
TO take a card. cross his right knee over
! his left and mark the names in q manner
similar to the one he had seen marked IN
Mr.. Rea's room.
johnson did as requested and the card
! was marked as "eXhiUiU No. :.
/ johnson said that Major T.. l.. Barring
ton had supported him during the politi-
cal canvass and made two speeches in his
/ behalf. IL was, he said, after Major Bar
rington had told him Mr.. Rea would put
/ 500 into the tight for him that the Major
| had supported him ia the Young Mems
| Club. lie maintained the same opinion
of the Major after the conversation as be-
fore, which was that he was not very
! reliable.
| Witness said he was satisfied that Nc
| kenZle had bought votes.
member OF the committee asked
johnson II he DID not know that when he
consented to not prosecute Mex enZie for
u felony that he had become a party to
the action.
Johnson stated that be did not have
! sufficient evidence TO bring about con-
! viction, though he was satisfied of the
| fact in his own mind.
70 further question the witness said
he had known for many years that Rea
was a corrupt politician. He said that he
had gone to see MI Rea after his election
to get pointers on legislative matters, and
| particularly TO find out, ii possible, what
measures and bills he was interested in
50 as TO examine them closely, as he
thought they would bear investigation.
he stated that he had no idea of borrow
ing money from Rea when he started from
Foss' office. Witness stated that he had
gone to number of persons besides Rea
to secure advice regarding his duties as Il
legislator. His idea in procuring advice
from Rea was more for the purpose of
ascertaining how to keep clear of compli-
cations III his career as legislator than
anything else.
Johnson said he was fearful of any
measure which might be indorsed by
Rea, as Judge Spencer had told him sub
sequent to his election that he might be
bought and sold many times during his
term. without his knowledge, and he
thought Rea was very shiity customer.
j. IL. Prior testified that the reputation
of Ii. j.. Edwards in the ighborhood i'll
which he resided was good. The witness
lives part of the time AT San Francisco
and the other part at Menlo Park. he
has extensive business interests in san
Jose. lie had sent Edwards to san Jose
about ten years ago TO act as collector.
He believed him TO be upright and hon
est. After acting as collector for the gas
company two years Edwards was pro-
NOTED to superintendent of the gas
works. II was not through the influence
of the witness that his promotion oc-
CURED. Charges, lie stated. had been
made against Edwards by directors of
the gas works to the effect that he was
using money belonging TO the firm for
! political purposes, and that he was selling
coke belonging TO the company at his
private coal and wood yard.
The witness, however, investigated the
charges and found there was no truth in
| them. He had never heard any one say
that himself and Edwards were partners
| in any scheme to get the better OF the gas
company, and If any one had ever said so
| he was liar and coward.
| w. g. Lorrigan, Judge of a Superior
! Court of Santa Clara County, has known
/ Edwards for thirteen years and McKen-
| Zie for ten or eleven years. They bear
| good regulations. When cross-examined
| by McPike the witness admitted that he
was attorney for the Electric Improve
ment Company when it secured a con-
! tract for lighting San Jose at an expense
of $1,000 more than a competitive COM
pany bid. The political methods of
! Edwards have been discussed during
campaigns, The witness had acted AS at
| torney Tor Mr.. Rea, or rather for the firm
of Montgomery q Rea, real estate agents.
Since the election of 1890, when he was
| elevated TO the bench, the Judge has
| taken no part in politics.
In answer to Mr.. Richards, the witness
said the contract awarded the Electric
/ Improvement Company, he under
stood, had beer sustained by the Supe-
rior Court of San Mateo County. Ed
I wards is man who has decided opinions
/ of his own, and the witness did not be-
/ lieve he would resort to any base actions
/ for political or private prcferment.
| lCoNTINUED on EIGHTH PAGE