The record-union., 1893-02-24
Attorneys FOOte and Bruner
TOngue-LaSh Each Other.
LIVELY COMMITTEE MEETING.
The Row Was Over the Bill Against
Ticket ScalperS.
THEY NEARLY CAME TO BLOWS.
THEY NEARLY CAME TO BLOWS.
MahOnsys Fire Department Bill SHOWED
under-Enerc'S Game Bill Strikes
Snag.

w. w. Foote, the recent aspirant for
Senatorial honors, and A. j. Bruner, the
well-known attorney of this city, quar-
relied last night in the rooms of the Sem
ate Judiciary Committee, and personal
encounter was only prevented by prompt
interference on the part of those present
Senator Hoyt's bill to prevent frauds
on travelers-the ''anti-ticket scalper :"
bill-was being considered by the COM
mittee. Mr.. Foote was there as counsel
for the ''scalpers," Attorney Gibson OF
Stockton represented the Brotherhood oi
Railway Conductors, and Mr.. Bruner
was there simply as a spectator.
HOW IT STARTED.
Messrs. Foote and Gibson made elo-
quent arguments against each other.
Mr.. Gibson declared that the measure
would be a good thing for the conductors,
and they were favoring it. The way mat
ters are now, he said, if a conductor per-
mits ''scalped" ticket to get by him. he
must either pay the fare himself or lose
his position. Besides, the proposed bill
would keep temptation out of the way OF
conductors, and it could no longer be said
that they ''stood inn with the scalpers.
Then Foote declared that the Southern
Pacific Company had sent the conductors
before the committee. He pooh-poohed
the idea that the conductors should desire
a measure that would keep temptation
out of their way. Then the attorney
limited darkly about a former ticket
scalpers' bill, followed by prosecution
and a hung jury, evidently meaning the
Bruner case.
1t was noticed that a. J. Bruner was
getting fidgety, but he said nothing.
Foote, in attempting to describe what a
blessing the ''scalpers" were to the travel
ing public, told the committee that he had
an opportunity to see the advantages
during his recent trip East. He had gone
from Cincinnati to New York for 81. He
also wanted to come home over a differ
ent route from the one he went East over,
and could have sold his return ticket to q
''scalper."
SHOULD BE SWORN.
Mr.. Gibson, in replying to Mr.. Foote
said he expected that the cry would be
raised that the railroad was pushing the
bilI-that was the popular cry of dema-
gogues nowadays. He honestly believed,
he said, that if Christ should be born
again, and the birth should take place at
Fourth and Townsend streets, there
would be people who would go mad and
cry, "Crucify him ~
The Stockton attorney said he appeared
hafOra tho n Of f.,
the conductors and for nobody else.
Turning to Foote, he said that he, in
signing his name 10 the ticket on which
he went East, pledged himself not tc
transfer it. If he sold it to ''scalper'
he violated his contract. and he was en-.
couraging forgery in the man to whom
the ''scalper'' sold the ticket, as that indi.
vidual would, if called upon by the con-
ductor, have to sign the name of Foote
II signed nothing at ALL" interrupted
Mr.. Foote
but you sold ticket which was no
transferable, and you -"
"No. didn't do anything of the kind, ,
again broke in Foote.
well, your ticket was limited to GER
tain time" persisted Gibson, land you
did not return within that time.'
Mr.. Foote denied this. too. He ther
proceeded to explain. ''I didn't sell my
ticket at ALL" he said, land returned Oh
the ticket within one day of the"
''Swear him"
1t was Mr.. Bruner who spoke.
Foote became enraged. Holding up hi.
right hand to Chairman MCGOWAN, ht
said: ''Swear me. This is Mr.. Brunel
who spoke. Swear me in the interest O
the Bruner family, one of whom prose
cuted."
Bruner rose to his feet, pale, but Will
deliberation. Advancing step toward
Foote he said: Don't you dare to uttel
word against the Bruner family, SIR"
Ii was dramatic scene.
Both are big men, and they stood a
their fullest hight glaring at each otheI
tlreateningly. Meanwhile CONSERVATION
prevailed among the committeeman
Chairman McGowan raped vigorously
on his desk and called loudly for order
THE LIE GIVEN.
Turning to the Chairman Foote said
''I did not sell my ticket, and any ma,
that says did lies ~
Wdut " near your statement under
OATH" shouted Bruner above the din tha
followed Foote'S remarks. "You are .
coward" he added.
You lie, -- you % yelled Foote
Again the two lawyers started toward
each other, but were pulled back by
their friends. Foote turned on one o
his clients and warned him not to toucl
him, as he "knew what he was doing.v
Both Foote and Bruner wanted to ad
dress the committee, but Chairman Nc
Gowan said there were prospects of
first-class row and he would permit no
body to speak. except on the subject O
the bill under consideration. He woulC
adjourn the meeting, he declared, unles
hostilities ceased.
This had the effect desired and thei
Foote argued on the bill. He could no
resist the temptation, however, to slip il
a remark in the course of his argumen
that was meant for Mr.. Bruner. Th
latter was on his feet in twinkling, bu
was prevented by the committeeman