The record-union., 1893-02-04
THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE. i

this matter should be referred to the Ju-
dietary Committee, and yet, when the
same question was before that committee,
he strenuously opposed granting any
| hearing upon the subject. He argued
1 then, as he does now, that he does not
want evidence or that hearing should
not be given. He is willing to take pub
lie condemnation, newspaper war and
hearsay evidence and then deny the per-
son accused the right to combat such ac
! cusatory means. Disclaiming desire to
be irreverent, it may be said that our
Savior was convicted on just such evi-
dence, when bowling crowd cried out,
Cruelty him! Cruelty himr 1t is in
deed strange and startling that such a
doctrine of denial of hearing should be
contended for at this time and in this
place. One would think that we were
military UkaSe of Russia, where the cul-
prit IS denied the right to speak a word
OF defense. Such demands are repugnant
to every sense of right, and should never
be countenanced in any deliberative body
of American citizens. We should abide
| by the law; give those men the benefit of
/ - NAS<AAAAi6 w IGL1 blldL - QOut, your SGIl-
tence, whatever it may be, will have an
aspect of fairness and equity about it. A
| judgment founded upon such proceed
ing would carry weight and conviction
with 1t, and would serve as warming to
future wrong-doers. But, on the other
hand, if the Senate is to set at defiance
one of the first principles of right, disre-
gard the law and establish the precedent
that person may be denied the right to a
public hearing, such a course would
weaken the safeguards of law and the
Constitution would not receive the re-
| spect and regard of law-abiding citizens,
and would most unquestionably strike
down one of the best shields the citizen
retains for his protection in organized So
ciety."
TO A SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
| Senator Earl moved to amend the Nc
| Gowan resolution, to the effect that
/ special committee of seven be appointed
by the President, next Monday, to inves-
tigate the commission. He said he
thought it would obviate the difficulties
spoken of by those who favored an in
vestigation but opposed occupying more
| of the Senate's time than could be helped.
Mr.. MCGOWAN accepted the amendment
Senator Langford offered as a substi-
tute for the whole matter, proposition
that the Commissioners be heard before
the bar Of the Senate next Monday even
ing, and that the Commissioners appear
in person and not by counsel.
Gesford raised the point of order that
the time of the hearing could not be
changed until the special order was dis
posed OF. The Chair ruled the point well
taken.
The roll was then called on the Earl
substitute, resulting in it's adoption by a
vote of 26 ayes to Is noes. Gesford changed
his vote, and gave notice that he would
to-day move to reconsider the vote.
And this ended the big debate. The
nihilistic individuals who want to cruelty
the Commissioners declared that they do
not care anything about a committee re-
port. They are there to vote one way,
and they say they don't care for right or
wrong. Fortunately, however, these in
dividuals are in the minority, and the
Commissioners will at least get chance
to present their side of the case.