The record-union., 1893-02-21
JOHNSON ON THE RACK.
THE ASSEMBLYMAN UNDER CROSS
EXAMINATION.
He Says He Does Not Like Rea-Some
Queer Statements-That Pro-
posed Loan.

! Owing to the late arrival of A Attorney
Richards from San Francisco, the in
vestigation of the Rea charges against
Assembyman Johnson did not come up
until $50 o'clock last night. The full
committee was present and Mr.. Mordecai
presided.
The evening was occupied in finding
out the good character of the gentlemen
who substantiated Mr.. Rea in his charges
against Assemblyman johnson ofSanta
Clara
| ID. b. Matthews, stenographer and at
torney-at-law, testified positively that
the regulations of John Mckenzie and
IL. j. Edwards are good. The witness
never held position through the influ-
ence of Mr.. Rea. He never heard it said
that Mr.. Mckenzie subsidized voters. He
was subpenaed in the Office of the EIec-
trical Improvement Company. Was
asked by Mr.. Mckenzie to testify before
| the committee.
| For ten years J. +. O'Keefe has been a
resident OF San Jose, and is now a mer-
chant. The reputation OF Mr.. McKen-
zle Is good, he said. AT present he is a
| school trustee, and believed that Mr.. Rea
helped him to be elected. There is no
contract by which witness receives
patronage, Mr.. Mckenzie and the wit
ness are intimate friends. In San Jose
! Republican politics there are two factions
the ring and anti-ring elements. The
witness votes for men on each ticket
| y. L. OrtOn SWOre that the regulations
of Mckenzie and Edwards are good. AT
one time the witness was a business
partner of Mr.. Rea, conducting a real
estate and insurance office, but the part
| M in ho
mics of Rea, Mckenzie and Edwards
have assailed,the.reputations of those gen
! tlemen, but the witness did not believe
such reports.
r. G. Fox had known Mckenzie for
twenty years and his reputation is good.
he has enemies because he 'sits down.
on certain individuals, he said. He had
| heard McKenzie's reputation discussed,
| but did not remember who discussed it.
They had always spoken.
James L. Rucker being sworn said he
had known Manager Edwards a long
time and knew that his reputation was
good. He based his opinion upon Der-
sonal knowledge of Edwards. The latter
was not the kind of a man who would
testify to a falsehood. He had always
heard Edwards spoken well of except hy
disappointed office-seekers and moss
backs"
| DR.. Pierce testified that he had known
Edwards about eight years and knew
his reputation to be good.
Attorney Richards announced that he
had no more witnesses present. but ex-
pected several prominent San Jose per-
sons up to-day The committee was not
inclined to wait, however, and directed
that the investigation proceed.
b. ID. Murphy, the well-known banker,
was one of the witnesses who had not put
in an appearance, and Bledsoe, one of the
| com tApn1aD thin L inn 10 co oko
to gain little publicity, moved with
great flourish that Mr.. Murphy be con-
sidered guilty of contempt, and that the
Assembly be called upon to punish him.
The proposition fizzled, however, as no
one would second the motion.
Well whined the Humboldt bantam.
''Tn report him myself to the Assem-
bly,"
! Assemblyman Johnson was then put on
the witness stand for examination.
his direct examination havihe been con-
cluded last week. He said he had known
Railroad Commissioner Rea by reputa-
ton ever since he (Johnson) had been in
Santa Clara County. He did not know
| him to speak to him, however. Being
asked closely regarding the interview"
/ he had with Johnny Mckenzie in the
! Office of the Electric Improvement Com
pany, Johnson said that his only object
| in going there was TO see what lex enzie
| mad to say about the proposed prosecu-
| ton for election fraud. The witness had
threatened to have Mckenzie and two
others arrested for vote-buying, and Nc
kenzie had sent word that he wanted 10
! see him, When the witness went to the
Office his companions, Connors and
Schlact remained outside the Office, and
the witness went inside. McKenzi asked
/ him what he proposed to do about the ar
| rest, and after they talked for awhile
the witness left minus the hard feelings
he had formerly entertained. he ex-
! planned this by saying that he felt merci-
ful because he had been elected.
| Several times during the cross s-exanli-
! nation johnson Showed his teeth" as it