The record-union., 1893-01-27

referring to William Beckman Of Sacra-
mento. He was one of the men who
made the State what it is, and there is not
a stain on his fair name. He said he was
aware he might be called railroad man
by demagogues. but believed all the
members of the Legislature were rail-
road men at heart when the best interests
OF the State would be conserved. In clos
ing Mr.. Anderson asked careful consid-
Grafton of the resolution before casting
their votes. He assured them the resolu-
ton is but plot of Eastern railroads to
down Pacific Coast enterprises. lie said
he would record his vote against such an
unjust and uncalled for measure.
Mr.. Kennedy of San Francisco said he
represented a part of the State which has
suffered from exactions OF railroads as
much as any section. He saId the
Railroad Commissioners have been on
trial before a jury of the people, who have
pronounced them guilty. lie believed it
the duty of the Assembly to announce
the verdict. He believed the people of
the State demanded the removal of the
Commissioners.
Price of Butte addressed the Demo-
cratic members of the House. A mis-
taken impression had been created, he
said, that the Democratic State Conven-
ton held in Fresno demanded the dis
missal of the Railroad Commits
sioners. He said he was a
member of that convention and
helped to frame the platform. That plat
form simply demands that a constitu-
tional amendment be submitted to the
people to see whether or not they want
the commission abolished. 81 believe"
said Mr.. Price, ''that tho railroad should
pay every cent Of their taxes, but other
considerations are involved. There may
be at least one honest man out of the COM
mission, and I would rather see one
honest man go free than have dozen
punished. We, as Democrats, should per-
ceive that Republican Governor stands
ready to appoint their successors, whom
we could reasonably believe would be
Republicans. They would have but lit
tie time to serve. 1t seems to me that
these proceedings are unwarranted by
the conditions which surround us. When
the substitute resolution shall have been
voted down, l will be found with
the majority urging the passage
of an amendment to the Constitution
to be submitted 10 the people which
shall abolish the commission. l am OPP
posed to bringing back to this Assembly
the matter of adjusting freghts and fares.
This session has already half gone and
nothing has been accomplished. five had
to deal with this railroad question we
would accomplish less, and all we could
do would be to consider figures, and, in
the end, be more mysti1ied than enlight-
ened. As Democrats we should vote this
resolution down, and proceed in a more
calm and conservative way and submit to
the people constitutional amendment to
see whether or not they want the COM
mission abolished. I believe two years
hence they would adopt the resolution
by an overwhelming majority"
Lynch entered a protest against the
nefarious method being pursued to de-
pose the present Commissioners untried
and unheard.
Schlesinger believed that all the men,
bers Of the Legislature agreed that the
commission should be abolished. He
wanted to 60 on record as favoring any
legal means for deposing the present
Commissioners, but it would be un-
precedented for the Assembly to try
to impeach the Commissioners with
out permitting them to offer their
defense. 1t is something unknown
in any State in the Union, he
said. The section of the Constitution re-
Iating to Railroad Commissioners con-
templates that they must be heard if any
impeachment proceedings are inaugu-
rated. Would it not be preposterous for
a Justice of the Peace to convict man
on hearsay?" he asked. 1t would be no
less unjust, he contended, to depose the
Commissioners in the manner proposed.
Bulla, Finlayson, Dodge, Taylor and
McElroy spoke in favor Of deposing the
Commissioners without any hearing.
Miller and Price each expressed them
selves as willing to depose the Commits
sioners if guilty, but thought they ought
to be given hearing. Afford closed the
debate.
On the vote being taken the resolution
to ''fire'' the Commissioners was carried
by vote Of 81 to Il. Duckworth changed
from mo" to "aye'' and gave notice of a
reconsideration to-day.
The Democratic party lash was used, as
Schlesinger expressed himself as want
ing to vote ''no," but was compelled to vote
aye, as the Democratic caucus had agreed
to pass the resolution if at all possible.