The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-10
FOR REVENUE ONLY
Strong Testimony Against
Johnson.
HIS VISITS TO jim REA.
The Assemblyman Says That He Did
Not Go to Sacramento for
His Health.
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

SACRAMENTO, Feb. 9-There Is an evil
dent desire on the part of Mordecai, chair
man of the Johnson investigating commit
tee, and other Democratic members, to
shield the Santa Clara man as much as pos
sible, and Bulla and Bledsoe the Republican
members. have also been uph0lding the
rulings of the chairman. The trouble about
bringing ont all of the facts was Occast0ned
by permitting outside counsel to interfere.
If the committee had conducted the investi-
cation without the aid of MesSrs. McPike
ard Shortridge, every interesting circum-
stance connected with the interview be-
tween Rea and johnson would have come
out. But McPike has succeeded in making
the committee belieys that it is court OF
Justice whose duty it is TO rule on every
question that McPike objects to, and in this
way much important testimony has been
suppressed. Johnson's counsel Is constantly
on the alert lest some word will fall from a
witness lips that will cast a darker cloud
upon Johnson's transactions with Rea than
already rests upon him.
Last evening when Edwards was on the
stand McPike asked him some question re-
Iating to the meeting between Rea and john
son, but as Edwards commenced his answer
MePike became startled and instantly OBJ
iected to the witness concluding his answer,
and Mordecai permitted the witness 10 be
gagged in the middle of an important re-
Spouse. The testimony thus far given all
goes to show that Johnson, as Democratic
Assemblymsn-electh had great many inter
views with Jim Rea, Republican president of
the Railroad Commissioners. and Darlington.
Rea and Edwards all agree that johnson
1,at hau "a
that the reason why he signed the Traffic
Association pledge was TO catch some votes
that lie could not otherwise get. This was
his last chance and he proposed to make the
best of it.
The committee met again this evening
and Harry COnners, a blacksmith of San
Jose. was called as the first witness. He
testified that he knew johnson, who used to
work in a lum ber-yard IN the rear Of his
shop. He had conversation with johnson
after his election in which johnson told
him he would like to meet Rea. He seemed
to think Rea had great deal OF influence
and could help him to get his bills through
the Assembly.
II told him, " said Conners, ''that thought
| could arrange meeting for him with Rea,
through Mckenzie, Rca's private secretary.
Such an arrangement was made, but John
son objected to be seen going into Rea's
Office for fear those who had supported him
in the ca mpaign would see him going into
the room and would denounce him.
80 we arranged to go in the back way.
Slasht was with Us. Mckenzie was there
and introduced Johnson to him. Then
johnson and Mckenzie went into a private
room and remained there half an hour,
while Slaght and | waited outside. When
he. johnson. came out he told me he had
arranged an interview with Rea. Five days
afterward johnson asked me where Rea
lived ana told him | did not know"
In eTosS-eXamning the witness McPike
endeav0red to show that Corners had helped
TO set TRIP for johnson in order to get him
into trouble, but the answers of Corners
did not show any such intent
J. d. Mckenzie. the man WHO Corners
said was Rea's private secretary. was the
next witness called and was asked by Attor-
ney Richards to relate the circumstances of
the meeting between johnson and himself
BE first said that he was not Rea's private
secretary. but occasionally answered a let
Ger for him when he asked him to. Nc
Kenzie said that Johnson said, when they
were in the room together, that he wanted
to see Mr.. Rea. He was going to Sacra-
mento for what there was in it," He
probably would not be elected again. He
knew Rea had fight up there and would
need some friends.
81 sald," continued Mckenzie, you
signed the Traffic Associations pledge
Yes he replied. L signed everything
they brought me-"
He said be wanted to see Mr.. Rea. /
spoke OF the Senatorial chances of the diff
ferent aspirants, but the main proposition
was that he wanted TO see Mr.. Rea and ar
range for money for his work in Sacra-
mento. BE said his health was good. AID
he was not going there for any constitu-
tional malady. He had hard fight and
had spent all the money he had. In the
conversation he said there were others who
were with him.
He said that the Senatorial fight was the
best money proposition there would be up
there"
On cross-examinaton Mckenzie said he
was United States gauger for the First Dis
trict, and was in debt TO Rea on note that
was not yet quite liquidated. AT first he
could not remember of having been in his
Office last Sunday. but after some prodding
by McPike be recollected that he was there
and met Corners and Richards there.
When Mckenzie had concluded his testi-
mony Richards said that he believed that
was the case for the prosecution.
Richards was then asked whether he met
Corners and Mckenzie at the latter's Office
last Sunday and he responded that he did.
McPike said he believed that it was not
customary In legislative committee to ask
for nOnsuit so he would not ask for one
Bledsoe remarked that he would not be
willing TO grant 1t on the evidence adduced
At this point tn e committee took a recess.
1t was finally decided to adjourn the
meeting until next Monday evening, when