The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-08
Charges i'm the johnson
Investigation.
SLASHING RIGHT AND LEFT.
Leeds and DR.. Robinson Mentioned
With the AssembIyrnan From
Santa Clara.
Special TO THE MORNING CALL.


story told by Railroad Commissioner Rea.
The investigation of the charges preferred
in connection with the alleged corruption
OF Johnson had commenced, and Rca. who
threw down the gauntlet by sending letter
10 Speaker Gould. was placed on tie stand
as the first witness Sam Shortridge con-
dneted the case In behalf of Rea, while
Henry McPike and Andy Clunie appeared
for johnson.
Al the outset Of the proceedings arrange
ments were made by the attorneys by which
all witnesses were excluded from the room.
Rea told his story boldly. He said that
he had been told by Mr.. Bethel Of San Jose
that johnson wanted TO see him, and Mr..
Mckenzie also informed him that Johns on
had been to see him great many times.
II had an interview with johnson" said
Rca, "in the Electric Improvement Com
pany's office in San Jose last December,
either on the 7th or Sth. Major Darlington
was with him and l invited them into my
private office. Darlington then introduced
Johnson to me, and said he was an Assem-
blyman and wanted to borrow 800. He
added that Johnson was friendly 10 the
Railroad Commission and would sign paper
to that effect
harrington then offered me note In
dorsed by Mr.. Slaught. l handed IL back
10 Johnson, saying, What you want as
c0d-bloOded matter OF fact Is 500. Isn't
that SOP He answered, Yes, sir | said, But
you signed the Traffic Association agreement.
How can you manage that?' He responded
that he had done that SO as to get some
votes round Willows way, but that he was
Il man of sense and that he did not expect
10 be elected again anyhow. He then added
that there were some more of the boys that
way, and that they could be treated in the
manner he was suggesting. ! said, Are
these people all out for money like your
self?' Yes, SIR he replied. Gould they
be induced to vote for a United States
Senator and leave their party?' We'll, one
of them could" was his answer.
HE then marked on a card the names of
those who would do as he said. He put
two marks against the man who would vote
Tor a Republican United States Senator and
one mark against the others. Major Bar
rnston was present during all of this con-
yersation and Mr.. Edwards some Of the
time. / gave johnson a long explanation
OF the situation of the Railroad Com
mission"
Rea said that at the interview Major Bar
rington did most OF the talkiug johnson
didn't seem to care who the United States
Senator was to be. What he wanted was
the money.
II asked him." said Rea, "if it was
cold-b booded proposition for 500. He said
it was"
Rea was asked by Bulla what the money
was to be paid for. He replied that it was
for his vote on the Railroad Commission.
81 did not promise 20 pay him the
, honey" courauet Rea 'but | made an
appointment with him for the next Salur-
day. The drift Of JohnSon's conversation
was thai he did not want money on the
Railroad Commission alone. but he wanted
to get in right on every proposition. That
was the way | understood him. He also
told me that ne could get me another vote
for Republican United States Senator.
asked him TO mark the names that he could
get, with the admontion that he should
not mark any one lie was not sure Of.
When made the appointment for the next
Saturday the understanding was that ! was
to pay him s100 The card upon which
were the names johnson had marked de-
posted in the Savings and Loan Bank of
San Jose.
Rea said incidentally that a number OF
blackmailing propositions had been made
to him. One Of them was made by DR.. Rob
inson. who had brought the suit against the
ferry company. "The DOCTOR" said Rea,
told me that for $1,000 he would withdraw
his complaint and that he could go down to
the railroad Office and get the money as
quick as that Swapping his fngers).
When Rea had proceeded thus far he was
called to a halt by the committee He was
then taken in hand by McPike and cross
examined.
The attorney asked him how long he held
this information about Johnson.
He replied that he did not disclose it
until it was necessary to do it for his own
preservation. He said that If Johnson was
one Of the people that Leeds had chosen to
assist in ousting him from Office lie pro-
posed TO show the people what kind Of
tool he was.
Bledsoe wanted TO know what he meant
by saying that johnson WAS under a con-
tract TO Leeds.
Rea replied that he meant just what he
said Johnson had signed the Traffic Asso-
citation pledge to do whatever Leeds in
structed him TO do.
"Then," said McPike. knowing all of
this about Johnson you were still willing
that lie should represent Santa Clara
County? ."
Rea smiled as he answered: "Wel, /
guess | was. liz / was to squeal ON every
body that strikes me i wouldn't be in poll
tics long"
Rea said that he told two or three of his
friends what johnson wanted Of him. Mr..
Edwards saw johnson leaving his Office and
asked him who that fellow was. II told
him." said Rea. that it was Assemblyman
johnson, and that he was after money"
McPike-Why did you ask johnson II he
would vote for a Republican United States
Senator?
Real just wanted to see how far he
would go. Johnson professed to know what
the complexion of the Legislature would be.
l said, white will be elected anyway"
johnson replied that the Democrats lacked
one vote on joint ballot.
Rea said that he met Major Darlington
after he had written his letter to Gould and
told him that the matter might be investi-
gated by the Legislature and he had better
refresh his memory. They had talked
about the conversation that Johnson had
with Rea and they had agreed rs to what
had taken place. Rsa explained that the
card which johnson had marked was a
printed card. The marks were Johnson's.
McPike-W When Darlington told you that
Johnson would sign paper that he would
stand by the Railroad Commission why
didn't you have him signP
Rea-Because it would have cost me
hundred. l would have been guilty OK
bribery, guess.
McPike-You say johnson was nervous
when he was talking with you9
Rea-Yes, he seemed to be nervous for
fear he would put his figure higher than /
would stand.
Bledsoe-Why did you fail to keep your
| appointment with JohDsonp
Rea-Beeause didn't want to bribe
| Johnson.
| Rae said that he thought that IL he had