The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-09
Lawmakers Indignant at
Johnson.
REA's STORY CoRRoBoRATED.
Darlington Narrates the Facts of the
Interview With the Railroad
Commissioner.
Special to THE MoRN1Ss CALL

Capitol that now exists over the revelations
made last evening by Railroad Commissioner
Jim R-a Owing to the excitement that
prevailed during the telling of the story by
Rea il was Impossible TO obtain coherent
statements from the agitated members
whose names were marked on the printed
lists. Tat benest men have been be-
emirehed either by Rea or Johnson there
seems le be- no doubt and the ones whose
names bore the cross are boiling over with
indignation.
Bert SshlesiRger of San Francisco is
Young man who has always borne an excel
lent reputation and has done everything in
his power since he has been here to hold his
place in public esteem. The disclosure
made at the Investigation last evening has
been discussed freely by him in lis every
phase. He told your correspondent that he
had never met johnson before the meeting
Of the Legislature and never had heard Of
him, either directly or Indirectly. He posi-
lively declares that if johnson marked his
name upon the card he did so entirely with
out his knowledge or that of any of his
friends or acqusintances.
Hurley of San Francisco is the member
who had the two crosses after his name,
vaich. according TO Rea's testimony, meant
that he would stand in on every proposition
for money, even to voting for Republican
for United States Senator. Hurley is con-
sidered bY all Of his colleagues to be a thor
oughy honest and conscientious man. Like
Schlesinger, he declares that he never met
Johnson until be saw him on the train
coming from San Francisco to Sacramento
on the 29th day of last December. He did
not speak to him about any matters of legis-
la.'ou and entered into no conversation
either before that time OF since.
The statements of both Sims and Schroe-
!, bel are similar in purport
Shortly after the House convened this
Amorning Hurley arose to question of priv
lEs and said: II happen to be one o those
-I sc names are marked on the card that
os introduced in evidence in the Rea in
Testigation last evening 1 don't know who
marked the card. and l do not know any of
the people who have been connected with
it and [ cap only assert, with all force and
solemBity that the charge is absolutely IN
trde. Although l have been frequently
solicited for my vote since 1 have been
member Of the Assembly. have ever re-
trained from promising to favor or oppose
any measure before it came up for consider
alton in The House"
HuTIey's remarks were applaaded by his
friends, who swear by him.
Schlesinger then rose to question Of
privilege. He said it was the proudest priv
llege of his life to be able to vote and act for
The people who sent him here. He then
explained that be had not known johnson
before the opening OF this session Of the
Legislature.
Sehroebel Of Calaveras. who is a well-to-
do sheeD-owner, spoke but few words, but
they were to the point BE said that the
man who put the cross opposite his name
was an Infamous seoundreL
SINS II Santa Rosa, young attorney Of
good ability explained how he stood in the
following vigorous language; In regard
10 the testimony adduced before the John
sen investigating committee last evening
I have this 10 say: There was some testi-
m0ny introduced 10 the effect that upon a
certain card admitted in evidence
tne names Of five members of this
Assembly were marked by Mr.. john
son as being men who would vote
for certain measures in consideration Of
the sum II 500 Why my name should be
marked on this card I am at loss to under
stand. How this card became marked or
who marked it l do not know. / never had
any correspondence with johnson or any
conversation with him 10 regard to any
measures that would come before this house,
OF upon any subject whatever. The first
time I ever saw MI johnson was at a meet
ing Of the Democratic caucus last January.
If any man viii openly accuse me of a dis
honorable or unworthy act, or endeavor to
throw any imputation upon my character
in manly way l viii meet him on that
issue at any time or any place. For the
man who, in an underhanded way, by a
backstair accusation, would endeRvor to
assassinate my private character l would
say that, in my estimation, he falls far be-
low the midnight incendiary, the red
HANDED murderer OF the lowest dog that
ever trOd the streets"
Sims-spoke with great feeling and earnest
ness and frequently looked in the direction
Of Johnson.
Speaker Gould said from the chair that
il was an easy thing TO make mark after a
name on a card. He characterized the
charges so far as they related to Sims,
Sehroebel, Schlesinger and Hurley as abso-
lutely false. He knew the men, he said,
and ii would make no difference to him If
the names were marked on forty cards in
stead Of one, he would not believe that the
members who have been thus cruelty ma
3lgned were guilty.
The Assemblymen interested are in clined
to believe that johnson made the marks and
the feel ng toward the Santa Clara member
is intense.
The Rsa investigating committee met
again this evening In the Assembly cham
Der There was large crowd present.
Major Darlington. editor Of the San Jose
Democrat, was the first witness called
harrington is the man who went with John
son to Rea's Office to secure, If possible, 500
from Rea. He told the same story in many
particulars that Rea did last evening He
testified that johnson asked Rea to let him
have 500 on a note, and that Rea replied /:
This is a cold-blooded proposition for
$780, is 1t not" johnson replied that il
was.- Then johnson agreed to stand In
with the Railroad Commission If he would
give him 500.
Barrington said that, previous to going to
Rea's Office with johnson, that individual
came to his office and told him that he
wanted him to assist him in getting S1O0
johnson had q note which was drawn on
Johnson's mother. They took it to bank
to be discounted but the cashier told Bar
rington that johnson had already been
there on the same business. Johnson after
ward told Darlington that he did not get
any money.
The next time he met Johnson. the latter
asked him how he stood with Railroad Com
missioner Rea johnson remarked that he
must have that 500, aud wanted to know
if Rea would discount his note. Darlington
told him he would see Rea about ii. but iha at
Rea might expect some favor in return. as
matters concerning the Railroad Commits
sioners we're liable 20 come up before the
Legislature.
harrington said that lie met Rea some
days aiterward and told him that johnson
would be all right for the commission in
case oil trouble. Rea told him that he would
meet him the next day.
Darlington and johnson went to Rea's