The record-union., 1893-01-20

TONGUE OF cALUMNY
has not been aimed. Truly, it is not
strange that in the excitement of yester-
day the successful party should have had
the commission of heinous crime laid at
Its door, or that the eminent gentlemen
who have been rewarded with victory
should find themselves charged as they
have been. On this very floor the judicial
branch of our Government has been ac-
corded treatment at the hands OF legis-
lators unworthy of this House and un-
worthy of fair-minded men. Now, the
legislative branch of our Government has
aserious odense against the law ofthe land
charged againstit. And surelyit is our own
fault if the estimate placed on our worth
by the outside world does not rise to
very high level. When no man, however
good, however pure, can hope to wear the
laurel wreath of victory without going
out to the world branded as a criminal, it
is sad condition of affairs that loudly
calls for remedy. / regret exceedingly
that we cannot reward any of our great
and able men without the tongue of SIAN
der being directed against them; yet am
almost glad that these incidents of yester-
day have occurred, because, at last, we
have obtained jurisdiction over this SUBJ
Ject, and we will now institute a thorough
and painstaking investigation from which
California will emerge purified and her
fair name vindicated before the world"
vANN, THE PoPULIsT.
Vann of Colusa, a Popullst, spoke briefly
and to the point. "It is an unpleasant
duty" said he, 'for me to speak of this
matter l presume that it is unpleasant
for all of you. In the interest of justice
1 am in favor of the investigation. I
hope the resolution will pass"
Adams, another Populist, was also in
favor of the resolution. 1--WE must get at
the facts" said he, "let the blame fall
where it will"
BRETT TALKS.
Then Bretz got up to speak.
Tall and spare, with a struggling gray
beard covering his pinched and haggard
face, in which shone like stars a pair of
deep-set treacherous eyes, he looked like
a marble statue, taken possession of by
the spirit Of discomfort.
II court an investigation" he began,
hesltating on each word, as though unde-
cided as to the proper thing to say. "If I
am right, it should be known. III am
wrong, why then l must stand the conse-
quences. In my experience"
Here he was interrupted by Speaker
Gould, who Informed him that parlia-
mentary law, usage and etiquette for
bade his appearance on the defensive.
But" continued Gould, 81 will make an
exception in this case. AS long as you
wander within the bounds of decency
you may talk"
Bretz then continued as follows: 81
want to admit that got the floor yester-
day under false and utterly dishonorable
pretenses. For this breach of discipline
and honor 1 apologize to the members
and sincerely ask pardon. For my other
statement as to the corrupt use of coin in
the Senatorial contest 1 have no apology
to make. 1t is well known to a few per-
sons"
Take your seat, sir ~ roared Speaker
Gould, bringing his gavel down with a
smash, and Bretz sank into his seat the
picture of woe and trembling in every
joint.
MAJOR ANDERSON's REMARKS.
Mr.. Anderson said: "As a member of
this body and of the Republican minority.
feel it my duty to raise my voice against
permitting the imputations against the
falr name and fame of Stephen NJ. White
to go without remonstrance. At this
time it has been demonstrated that il
comes within the range of possibility for
a of hrainE and ~ /, Al.
highest post of honor without the aid of
money. 1t marks an epoch in the history
of this State when man can attain such
honor without other influences than his
ability and manhood. 1t is not a matter
that concerns us alone, but, as said by the
member from Shasta, the whole world
has heard these charges, and they must
be squelched before they go farther. No
one at the State Capitol believes that Mr..
White or Mr.. Cannon used any corrupt
means. | favor the resolution of the
member from Shasta"
SIMS UNFoRGIvING.
Sims of Santa Rosa then spoke to the
resolution and was applauded. He said
Il would speak to the resolution with a
spirit broader than party Limitations and
deeper than political motives. Yesterday
we gave to California's greatest son the
brightest jewel in the crown of a Califor-
MANS ambition, and the highest legisla-
tive office to which an American citizen
can aspire. 1t is fitting that the Jewel
which we bestowed upon our gifted son
should be worn without any i'm
putation upon its purity, and that
the Office to which we have
elected him should be occupied without
a word of obloquy upon the manner in
which it was obtained. We owe the dutv
of an investigation to the distinguished
gentleman, who, in obedience to the
wishes of our constituents, we elected TO
tho United States Senate, to the honored
and respected member of the Assembly
from the Seventy second District, to the
Member of Congress-elect from the Sixth
Congressional District and to ourselves
as members of the Assembly. The gem
tleman from Alameda has made serious
charges, and the more serious the accusa-
ton the clearer and more convincing
should be the proofs. Too often have
members of the California Legislature
been accused of being actuated by mer-
cenary motives instead of the purest
of patriotism, but l believe that the peo-
pie have at last elected a Legislature
every member of which, if there were a
threatened union between the purse and
the pen or the purse and the legislators
vote, would rise in his seat and forbid
the bans. Mr.. Bretz should either pro-
duce proofs of his accusation, or be
severely punished by this House."
The resolution was then put to a vote
and unanimously adopted.