The record-union., 1893-02-08

business.
when I handed the note back to
Johnson" said MIR. Rea, 81 said to John
son 1T is a cold-blooded matter-of-fact,
you want 500, is it,, and he smiled sig
nificantly. Then l added, I'VE under
stand each other and he assented."
Rea said he made an appointment with
Johnson for the following Saturday, the
inference being that he was to put up
the 500 for Johnson.
Il did not promise to pay, nor make
any arrangement for Mr.. johnson to re-
ceive the money" said Rea.
Mr.. Rea was questioned at length by
Mr.. McPike, but did not contradict him
self. He said he consulted with his at
torney, Mr.. Richards, about the matter,
| to prevent him from getting entangled.
He had been blackmailed before, and
wanted to be safe. When asked by whom
he was blackmailed, he said by one Rob-
inson in reference to ferry commutation
tickets. Johnson did rot say when Rea
! handed him back the note, IF that is
what you want referring to supporting
the Railroad Commissioners, l am not
that kind OF a man."
Rea denied any business relations with
Darlington, and said at first he looked on
him with suspicion.
Rea said he had nointentions whatever
! of paying the SlO0 to johnson. He admit
ted that if johnson had not taken action
| against the Commissioners he probably
should not have made the disclosures
against him.
His object, Mr.. Rea explained, in ask
ing Johnson if he would vote for a Re-
publican United States Senator was to
sound and find out what kind of man
he was. When asked his choice for Sena-
tor, Mr.. Rea said it was NJ. II. De
Young.
He failed to keep his promise with
Johnson because he did not want to bribe
him.
Every idea, Mr.. Rea said, in answer to
Attorney Clunie, contained in the letter
to Speaker Gould, was his own; and that
the railroad company had not seen the
letter.
Attorney Clunie was very persistent in
an investigation as to Mir. Rea's business
in san Jose. Mr.. Shortridge objected,
but Clunie was allowed to go on. and lie
said he proposes to introduce witnesses
to impeach Rea's testimony.
Clunie made statements which were
very severe on Mr.. Rea's character, say
ing he was hireling of the railroad COM
pany, and other such remarks.
Il say such statements are absolute
falsehoods, and the man who made them
| is liar ~ said Rea.
Clunie proceeded further in his caustic
remarks. Il ask the protection of men,
bers OF this committee, from this attor-
ney, and if 1t is not given me | will pro-
tect myselfr' shouted Rea, rising to his
feet.
Chairman Mordecai finally restored
order.
Attorney Clunie was very persistent in
inquiring whether or not Rea had acted
as the disDursing agent of any corpora
| ton. Rea emphatically denied that he
hal.
Mr.. admitted he had paid Senator
Bailey some money-his own. Bailey
was hard up, and as he was to espouse
his Rea'S cause during the election two
years ago, be paid him $3.50.
Rea affirmed he had never received
cent from the Southern Pacific Railroad
Company for political purpose. Nobody
ever gave him $1,000 TO give to Senator
| Bailey,
An, admission was made by Mr.. Rea
that he had givenlnoney TO a number of
people during the campaign, but it was
nobody's business to whom he gave it
except the Republican party.
The Chairman sustained Mr.. Rea.
Clunie carried his tactics to such an un-
reasonable extent that Mr.. Bulla said
he would offer motion to exclude coun-
sci if personal conflicts were not avoided.
Again, however, Clunie got the floor and
persisted in saying that the whole rum
pus is owing to the animus of the South
ern Pacific Company towards Mr.. John
son.
| y
nie's line of argument.
Mr.. Rea said he had always assisted the
Republican County Central Committee of
Santa Clara in disbursing funds, and fire.
gently he had paid money out of his own
purse.
Mr.. Rea was excused temporarily and
the Cashier OF the Bank of san Jose pro-
duced a sealed envelope, inclosed within
| which was another containing letter
and list of the members of the Legisla-
ture, which was one of those prepared by
Sergeant-at-Arms Healey for the conve-
nience of members. The card was offered
| in evidence. The Cashier of the bank
stated that he had done business with
both Mr.. Johnson and Mr.. Rea.
Mr.. Rea was recalled and recognized
the card and the marks opposite the
names of those whom Mr.. Johnson, it is
alleged, said would vote for United
States Senator for a consideration. There
was a dash before each of the following
names: MesSrs. Hurley, Schlesinger.
Schroebel, Sims and Johnson of Santa
Clara. There was intense silence while
the names were being read, but after
they were announced the gentlemen who
were present and referred TO were indig-
nant and on their feet demanding that
Mr.. Johnson be placed on the witness
stand at once to refute the charge.
Il swear positively that Mr.. johnson
made the marks on the card" said Mr..
Rea, land he mentioned other names.
but did not mark them. He said he
knew them personally. l deposited the
letter with the card SO that if any of the
marked men should happen TO be on
the committee of investigation they
would not be prejudiced against me. I
have been accused of ali crimes under the
sun, and proposed to protect myself"
In response to Mr.. McPike, Mr.. Rea
said his public record is clean
one and that such an Investigation
would show that he is more of an anti
railroad man than many demagogues.
Mr.. Rea said that no i'll feelings prompted
him to make the charge against Mr..
Johnson. He did it to still the crv of
demagogues against the Railroad Com
missioners, and to show that they were
not as bad as they have been represented
to be.
Mr.. Hurley wanted Mr.. johnson put
on the witness stand to deny the charges
which had been made against himself
and the other members charged with
being willing to sell their votes Attor-
ney Shortridge interposed by saying Mr..
Rea had made no charges against any
special person, but if Mr.. Hurley has any
grievance it was against Mr.. johnson.
Attorney Clunie made a statement on
behalf of Mr.. Johnson that there was not
one word OF truth in the charges made py
Rea, and that he did not offer to sell any
vote. That all the statements were false
hoods.