The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-17
BURNS ON THE STAND.
Explains How the Campaign
Money Was Spent.
NO CANDIDATES. FAVORED.
?. B. Cornwall and Jake Steppaeher
Tell the Same Story.
CLERKS TOSS UP In CASES OF DOUBT.
Disgraeeful Proceedings in the Booth
Near the Corner Of Suffer and
LeaVenWorth Streets.
CLERKS TOSS UP In CASES OF DOUBT.

Never, perhaps, in the history OF the
Justices courts have so many politicians
crowded into the dingy quarters assigned
to those distinguished if young legal lu-
minaries as were to be seen in Justice
Barry's courtroom yesterday morning.
The occasion of the large gathering of rep
resentatives of the trade of politics was the
expectation of some interesting testimony
from Dan Burns, P. B. Cornwall and Jake
Steppacher, who were known to have been
subpenaed in the Reynolds-M legis-
lative contest.
As the stuffy little room of the presiding
Justice became thick with an Opaque mass
of tobacco smoke which one could almost
cut the Justice took his seat and ordered
all bad cigars extinguished, threatening to
call in the Fire Department if the order
was not obeyed. Almost Immediately the
lights went out, but, unlike such an event
in theater, the scene became visible in
stead of concealed.
Justice Barry was joined by his col
league, Justice Groezinger, and the case
was called. In response to a call by At
torney Reed, the attorney for the con-
testant, Dan Burns took the witness-stand.
Attorney Reed informed the court that all
the subpenas had been served and all the
witnesses he desired were present. He
stated that he first desired to examine Dan
Burns.
"Mr. Burns, do you occupy any position
in politics here?' was the first question
asked by Attorney Reed. immediately
there was craning of necks. His answer
was:
Eyes, I occupy the position of secretary
of the State Central Committee.
'"How many members are there in that
committee
cover 100."
"Was there an auditing committee ap-
pointed to look after the election ex-
penses?"
eyes, there was"
"Who were the members of that COM
mittee?'
GAS far as I can remember they were
H. L. Dodge, w. W. Montague, John d.
Spreckels and David Kerr. The other I
don't remember"
"From what source was the money raised
to defray the expenses of the campaign?'
Attorney Chretien, for Merrill, objected
to the question, on the ground of inmate
riality, but he learned that the Justices had
no power to rule on such point, jurisdic-
ton to decide on the relevancy of evidence
not being conferred by the statute. That
power is reserved to the Legislature, which
can strike out all evidence it may see fit.
In response to the question asked, Dan
Burns answered:
"By contributions from candidates and
other parties"
''Do you know if the parties subscribed
the money for their own election?"
"With regard to the legislative candidates
know nothing"
''You say money was contributed by
other persons?
yes
GLOW much was contributed?"
"About $50, 600"
''You are positive there was no such sum
as 800, 900 contributed?"
81 am perfectly certain of that"
'Who gave the orders?"
"The campaign committee, consisting OF
Messrs. Cornwall, John D. Spreckels, Frank
McQuade, Mr.. Hale of San Jose and N.Y.
self"
SIS it true the money contributed was
not spent in the interest of legislative can
didates?'
The witness replied that such was the
case, and that each candidate had to paddle
his own canoe. mot dollar was SO spent.
We were not interested in any individual
candidacy"
'There were no efforts made to secure
the election Of anybody"
"No."
''Not even to secure the election OF Mr..
Merrill?"
"Why, no." replied Burns, before At