The record-union., 1893-01-20
BRETZ REPENTS,
But lie Must Answer for His In
called for CaIulnniatiOn.
AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON.
Lawyer Chamberlain Had -Four Popu-
List Votes to Sell.
STEPHEN NJ. WHITES DENIAL.
lie Calls Gator "Liar and DoS'-The
ReaSRSSment Bill in
the Senate.
The thirtieth session has a scandal.

The thirtieth session has a scandal.
Monotony has taken wings and routine
business has been relegated to the limbo
of forgotten files. The air is ripe with
rumOr and innuendo; there is serious
accusation and every breeze and the
astute lawmakers of the ''whole State OF
California" as Mr.. Shanahan would say,
are very mad. 1t is all about an absurd
charge of fraud preferred by an insur-
ance person from Alameda, who was
elected to the Legislature as a supposed
representative of a band of political
guerrillas, prowling about the outskirts
of recognized parties under the banner of
reform.
THEY ARE SERIOUS.
That the charge is absurd and entirely
without foundation in fact on the admis-
sion OF the instigator. cuts no figure in
the matter. Even an apology at this time
will not serve to adjust matters.
A serious accusation has been entered
against the regulations of three men,
eminent in their respective professions,
and of unsullied characters. So matters
stood when the Assembly was convened
yesterday morning by the vigorous
pounding of Gould's gavel. Bretz had
been in his seat writing for over two
hours, and when the hum of many voices
had gradually subsidized into a dead
silence he Strengthened up in his chair
and looked furtively about the crowded
room. Every eye in the house was fixed
intently upon this gray, gaunt figure OF
despair, and there was mingled scorn and
contempt in every whitening glance.
He seemed surprised and confused, and
almost instantly bowed his head for
shame.
AN INVESTIGATION.
Then the usual preliminaries incident
to the opening of a morning session had
been concluded. Shanahan of Shasta
arose to a question of privilege, and after
brief Introductory remarks offered the
following resolution:
ResolUed, That a select committee of
five be appointed by the Speaker of the
House to fully investigate the charge and
words used by Assemblyman Bretz in
the Joint Assembly for the election of
United States Senator on January IS,
1898, wherein Mr.. Bretz used the words
in said Joint Assembly as follows: 1--WE
believe that this change was brought
about by the corrupt use of money, and
we believe that Marion Cannon is the
negotiator." And that said committee is
fully empowered 10 investigate said
charge, to send for persons and papers,
and Is required to report to the Assem- bly,
the result of its investigation.
In support of his resolution Shanahan
briefly recounted the incidents of the
Joint Convention of the previous day that
had made it necessary, and concluded bv
stating that if Mr.. Bretz's assertions were
true they should be known to the world.
and if not true the author should be So
verely punished.
After moving the adoption of the reso-
luton, Mr.. Shanahan gave way.
Mordecai of Fresno followed in brief
speech, as follows; 'We are confronted
with most serious condition of affairs
and one which deserves our most careful
consideration. Divested of passion and
prejudice the members of this House
should institute most searching investi-
cation and wherever guilt be found there
let the weight of condemnation rest. We
are assembled here, representatives of
constituencies from every portion of this
great State, and are supposed to embodv
the intelligence, manhood and integrity
Of her people. A charge of corruption
has been made against one of our COL
leagues. If the charge is just let his pun
lshment be great, but if the assertion
prove untrue. then no depth of infamy to
which 1t is in the power of this House to
degrade man is too great for the author
of so foul an assertion. hope this resolu-
tion will prevail and at last the people of
10 ,,~s,,
ssembly which dared TO stamp out foul
pratices and to carry out the popular
will"
DUcKwoRTH, TOO.
Duckworth of Monterey said: GAS Re-
publican, representing a constituency
comprised within that greater constit-
uency soon to be represented in the lower
branch of the National Congress by Hon
orable Marion Cannon and in the upper
branch of the same Congress by the Hon
orable Stephen NJ. White, do sincerely
hope the resolution will prevail. 1t is
due to these gentlemen, to this body, and
to the great State of California, that the
charges made by the member from Ala
media should be probed to the very bot
tom in order that we may know pre-
cisely the course to pursue in dealing
with this question. If it be true that over
portion of the Congressional and Sena-
torial delegation from California in the
National Congress shadow of corruption
movers, it is high time that we were made
acquainted with that fact. On the other
hand, 1t is our unquestioned duty to re-
move every vestige of suspicion that the
charges under discussion may have
caused to arise, if after full and fair in
Vesugatlon 1t is found that the good name
OF Cali1ornla's representatives-elect have
been assailed without Just cause. But,
Mr.. Speaker, it is not a matter of surprise
that in the heat of passion such assertions
should have been made. 1t has come to
pass that in California charges of corrup-
ton and venality are part and parcel of
our political warfare. In recent years
every victorious candidate has had hurled