The morning call., 1893-01-11

ION tights his "! ntcr. Another enc came 10
light to-day. The bin was introduced by
Mordecai OF Fresno, and it provides for
slieing off a good-szed chunk OF Fresno
County and calling it MADEIRA.
Two radical anti-railroad measures were
also introduced. One was bill, by Barlow,
to make the valuation of railroads operated
in more than one county. as fixed by the
State Board Of Equalization, the basis upon
which the Railroad Commissioners shall
fix rates OF freghts and fares. 1t also pro-
yides that such rates shall not yield the
railroads more than 6 per cent on such
valuation and that any surplus must be paid
into the State treasury for public benefit.
Each railroad in the State must file yearly
statement of its transactions in itemiZed
form with the Controller.
The other was presented by Bledsoe in
the form Of joint resolution. 1t calls upon
the Congress of the United States to COM
pei the Southern Pacific Company to pay
its Indebtedness to the Government. 1t
reads as follows:
WHEREAS. The Pacific Railroads, genera lily
known as the S outlern Pacific Company are In
debt to the Government of the United States 10
the amount OF $4,000, ZOO; aud, whereas the
Government OF The United States, at a critical
said raili eads, came TO their rescue and enabled
them not only TO build the roads, but to become
enormously rich from the bounty OF the nation;
and, whereas, The said Southern Pacific Rail-
road Company has persistentiy refused 10 pay
its debt TO the Government. has corrupted
legislators and courts In It's own interest and
has inlerpOsed powerful lobby OF corruption.
lists against every attempt heretofore made TO
compel it 10 pay said debt: and. whereas every
consideration OF right and justice demands that
the men who have grown rich from the natIon's
liberality should be permitted no longer to DEFY
the will OF the people; therefore he 1t
Resolved, By The Assembly OF the State OF Call.
fornia, the Senate concurriDg, that we instruct
our Sen tors aud request our Representatives In
Congress from this State to support the bill iu-
trod uced by Congressman I. j. Geary to compel
the said railroad company 10 pay its debts to the
Government or have the mortgage foreelosed.
The Governor Is Instructed 10 forward copy
OF the resolution TO each Senator and Repre-
sentative.
There seems TO be a strong anti-rairoad
element in the House. and there is a great
deal OF talk about passing measures that
will make the big monopoly's flesh creep,
but this is not talk that is likely TO disturb
the railroad company, for no hostile bills
are likely to go through the Senate Sena-
tor Carpenter openly stated last evening
that none of the nitro abroad bills will get
through the Senate If he can help 1t. Ths
members of the House don't half like the
grand ignoring that they are getting. Even
free railroad tickets are not offered them,
and those who 60 to the city have had to
pay hard coin for the trip.
In the Senate to-day, when the Gov
ernor's appointment OF Daniel L. Hayes as
Prison Director In the place OF Stump came
up for confirmation. Senator Ostrom OBJ
jected He said it was time that farmer
was placed on the board. His object for
desiring the appointment of an agrculturist
was 10 have the iute grain bags made at the
prison placed on the market to better adj
vantage. He argued that the farming COM
munlty in California had never yet been
represented on the board. The appoint
ment was confirmed.
The committees began organizing to-day,
and hereafter much of the Legislatures
work will be mapped out in the committee
rooms.
Ia the Senate there have already been
introduced five bills proposing amendments
to the State constitution. One by Gesford of
Napa provides that the jury in civil actions
may consist OF twelve or Of any less num-
Der upon which the parties may agree, but
In felony cases ii must consist of twelve.
In civil actions three-fourths of the jury
aud in criminal cases less than felony
fiye-sixtbs may render verdict. Another,
OF the same general tenor, provides that
three-fourths OF the jury may render ver-
dict In either civil or criminal trials.
An amendment proposed by Mathews
provides for the taxation OF all property in
the State not exempt by Federal law-the
word properly to include moneys. bends,
stocks, franchises aud all other things,
real or personal. save growing crops.
mortgages. trust deeds and public property.
Also one providing that no new county
shall be formed so as to reduce any county
TO a population of less than 5000. or to
an area OF less than 400 square miles. nor
any new county to contain less than 5000.
Any county formed shall assume its pro-
portion Of the existing county debt.
The amendment proposed by Ragsdale
embodies the educational qualification
voted favorably upon at the last election
Mathews proposes an amendment that
the State Board Of Equalization shall con-
sist Of one member from each Congressional
district In the State
The session of both Houses was very
brief to-day, owing TO the fact that the
committees have not yet returned any bills
to be acted upon. Many of the principal
committees met this evening and organized.