The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-22
REA THE LEADER.
Head Of a Gang of Corrupt
Politicians.
WHAT JOHNSON SAYS.
Testimony as to the Character of Wit
nesSes in the Investigation of
the AsSembIynan.
Special to THE MoRNiNe CALL

SACRAMENTO, Feb. 21-The special conn.,
mittee TO investigate charges brought
against Assemblyman johnson met again
this evening. Johnson resumed the stand
and his cross-eXamination was continued by
Mr.. Richards.
johnson was given g card like the card
introduced in evidence and was asked TO
mark il in a similar manner, which he dld,
aud card No. was offered in evidence.
Johnson testified that Darlington made
speeches on the stump for johnson while be
was running for Office, and that Darlington
acted as an officer Of Willow Glen Club. of
which johnson is president. johnson did
not consider the mai reliable, andan aim
tanned the same opinion while he was trying
TO borrow the 500.
johnson knew that Mckenzie was buying
votes, but did not consider the fact that
man in San Jose had told him that McKen-
zie had paid him So for his vote was evil
dence enough TO convict him.
johnson stated that he knew that Rea
was the leader OF a gang OF corrupt poll
tieians.
Redirect examination was peTmltte by
the committee. Johnson was asked what
hemeant when he stated last evening thai
en- the second time be went to see Rea he
went To get pointers. His answer was that
he went to find out how things were done in
Sacramento; that Judge Spencer had said
10 johnson that While he was IN Sacra-
MEMO he might sell his vote and never
kGow it, and that be had gone TO Rea
20 find out if possible how this could be &C
c0mpished.
J. X. Prior large owner Of stock in the
san Jose Gas Company, took the stand. He
testified that Edwards reputation for truth
ard yeracity was good 10 San Jose; that he
sent Edwards TO San Jose TO take position
. with the gas company; that be had heard
= that Edwards had taken money from the
gas company, II which be was then secre-
tafy. and pat it into politics. At this time
the witness investigated his character thor
oughly and found nothing against it,
". G. Lorgan. Superior Judge Of Santa
Clara County. was the next witness placed
UPON the stand. He said he had known
Edwards fourteen years, and that his repu-
tatiOn in the community was good. He also
knew that McKenzie's general reputation
for truth and verscity was good. He said
that there had been great deal OF discus
sIcn in San Jose. He had a regard for the
men connected with both the lighting CON-
panes, but felt justified in testifying that
the reputation Of Edwards and Mckenzie is
Of the best. Beyond the business relations
Of Edwards and Rea he knew nothing of
their intimacy or OF the harmony Of their
interests. He thought Edwards was man
who had opinions Of his own, and that he
would not be influenced in his testimony by
his friendship for Rea.
CroSs-examinaii0n revealed the fact that
the Judge had been somewhat affiliated
with Edwards in politics.
j. L. Henry, owner Of a large block Of
stock in the San Jose Electric Railroad, tes-
tilted that Edwards reputation in a social
and il "a business way was of the best;
that he had heard his character discussed.
and that most Of the talk was In Edwards
favor.
T. c. Frank OF Santa Clara. director Of
tire Santa Clara Bank, was next sworn as
witness. and testified to the good general
reputation Of both Edwards and Mckenzie
81 the community.
J. r. Norton Of the firm Of Trainer &
Norton. San Jose, stated that McKenzie's
reputation is good. a question was asked
him if be bought votes during the last cleo
ton, to which he answered Nc"
Arthur G. Field, real-estate man of San
Jose, said that Edwards reputation was
first class
O. a. Hale, who is the last of the re-
buttal witnesses who were subpenaed TO
sustain the regulations Of Rea, Edwards
and Mckenzie. did not arrive from San
Jose. He was TO testify that Edwards had
6 good reputation. This testimony was al
lowed by JOhnson's counsel.
Il was stipulated that James Guskey,
another absent witness, Will testify that
johnson told him that if be wanted any
thing of johnson after he was elected
be would.haYe TO pay him for it. 1t was
also stipulated that W. J. Kirkpatrick
would testify that on the way from Santa
Clara one day he introduced johnson to A.
j. Mckenzie, instead of John Mckenzie. to
whom JOHNSON testified he was introduced
by Kirkpatrick. This was admitted by
JohnsOn's attorney.
1t was arranged that the case would be
argued tomorrow evening and submitted
to the cOmmittee. which then adjourned.