The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-19

had reiterated his determination TO vote Tor
Reed and sat down all hope that any Of
tie Populsts would break to-day was
dispelled. 1t looked then as il one ballot
would be taken and an adjournment would
follow.
This belief was strengthened when Bretz,
Populist, placed Thomas V. Gator in
nomination, and the nomination was
seconded by Barlow. who called upon the
members of his party TO stand firm.
When he had concluded rolIcall was loud
lydemanded. and in the midst of the turmoil
word went around among the Republicans
that one of their number, MCGOWAN of San
Francisco, had turned traitor and absented
! himself from the convention.
Dodge Of Alameda was the first to an
nOunee this startling discovery, and he
threw his hand high into the air and ex-
claimed, II demand a call of the House."
His words were exeitedly repeated by a
number Of other Republicans, and Carlson
was especially conspicuous in demanding
that every one should stand up and face the
music. The ayes and noes on call OF the
House were demanded by the Democrats.
and then it was known party vote would
be cast and the call would be beaten. 1t so
resulted by a vote Of 50 10 so.
When the rollcall was concluded. Carlson,
who had been watching every movement
with unusual vigilance. jumped TO his feet
and shouted o ut that he wanted Kerns to
vote.
By this time the members were fearfully
excited and the excitement had spread to
the spectators. 1t was now believed that
Kerns had fallen to White, but when he
In tad har
feebly-"aye." confidence in him was. in a
measure, restored. But the eyes of Bretz
Vann and some Of the other leading spirits
among the Populists were fastened upon
the Los Angeles man with anything but
confidence depicted In their expression.
Ballotng was then proceeded with. The
Senate vote was the same as yesterday, and
there was no unusual exc tement over that.
but when the Assembly roll was being
called and Burke, the Non-PaTiisan. again
voted for White, there was loud applause.
No change occurred until the name of
Kerns was reached. Then every eye turned
to the Populist from Los Angeles, and
when he sung out in a low, almost maud
ible voice White" such shout went up
as was never heard in that Assembly
chamber before. Every Democrat in the
room was On his feet roaring like mad.
Billy Foote. Jsre Lynch. Warren English.
Tom Clunie, Bob Ferral, j. d. Sullivan, j.
+. Sullivan and other prominent Demo-
Gratis. who had up TO this time remained
quietly in their seats. were carried away in
the tumult, and we're waving their hats and
shouting with the rest. In the enthusiasm
Of the moment Kerns was picked up and
hugged and complimented and eulOgized.
and altogether he was made the hero Of the
hour.
1t was full Y five minuies before the call
ing of the roll could be proceeded with.
When il was finally concluded and the
fact was established that White was elected.
Bretz arose, pale with rage, and trembling
violently from suppressed passion. asked
the President If that was q proper time for
a member to change his vote. Re was told
by the chair that it was, and for him to pro-
ceed and explain the reason for his change
before the result was announced.
Bretz had no Intention Of changing his
vote and the statement he made was merely
a snbterfuge, in order TO be able to make a
most startling and sensational statement.
He went on to say in rambling, incoherent
way something about party pledges and
their violation and wound up with the
words: This change was brought about
by the corrupt use Of money, and / believe
that Marion Cannon was the negotiator."
Bretz was perfectly ghastly when he had
delivered himself of those words. and he
undoubtedly expected that something Of a
serious nature would happen. This SEN
sational utterance brought every PODulist
to his feet, except Vanu, and they shook
their fists at Kerns and fairly howled with
rage.
Mathews Of Tehama seemed to be the
coolest man Oh the floor. for he arose at
| once and demanded that the words Of Bretz
be taken down in full. The clerk wrote
them out as he remembered them. They
were as follows: This change has been
brought about by the corrupt use Of money,
and Marion Cannon did it,"
BreiZ declared that he did not use those
words, and the correction was made. lie
was violently hissed while he was standing,
and there would undoubtedly have been an
other scene If President Reddek had not
proceeded to read the result. He announced
that 119 votes had been cast and that
Stephen NJ. White had received 81 votes.
He was declared elected.
Cannon was a spectator in tie gallery
at the time when Bretz accused him Of cor
ruDtCn. and he yelled out liar"
After the announcement of the result
| Senator Ostrom arose to pour oil upon the
troubled sea. He said that it was quite
possible that the words uttered by Bretz
had been spoken in moment of passion,
and Tor that reason they should not be ac-
cepted in such a serious way. He followed
up his remarks by moving that the matter
be dropped. His motion was carried.
At the suggestion of Senator Seawell
! President Reddick appointed committee,
| consisting of Senators Seawell, MCGOWAN
| and Dennisou and AsSpmblymen FiDlayson
| and Burke. 10 wait upon the newly elected
| Senator and invite him to address the con-
yention. White was not farther away than
| tho State Library, and when lie came into
| the Assembly chamber hats were thrown
| into the air and the widest enthusiasm pre-
vailed. The Senator ascended to the Speak
er's desk and addressed the audience. He
spoke briefly but pointedly.
Soon after the Adjournment Of the con-
venlion the outraged Populists retired in
! high ldudgeon to their headquarters In
| this secluded place they swore aud tore
about like madmen. Two or three of them
at once began the work of writing resolu-
tlons reading Kerns out Of the party and
others coniented themselves with verbally
roasting the unfortunate Popuist.
Shortly after the battle Kerns was seen
| by THE CALL correspondent. lie said that
| he had never pledged himself to vote for
Gator or not to vote for White. lie simply
| voted as his judgment dictated.
This statement of Kerns was told to the
seven Populists. They raved more than
men ever raved before. and declared that
Kerns was liar. To back up their state
ment they showed the writer the following
pledge:
SACRAMENTO, Dc. 81, 1892
We, the undersigned members of the
Legislature, in the Peoples party caucus
assembled, do hereby pledge ourselves each
to the other that during the thlrtieth ses-
7 - ,.rrII