The morning call., 1895-02-21
1T AWAKENS LEGISLATORS
TO THE FOLLY OF THEIR
ACTIONS,
A DISPOSITION TO BLAME Re-
PUBLICAN EX-STATE
OFFICIALS.
OPINIONS OF LAWMAKERS.
STRONG ENDORSEMENT OF THE
CALLS FIGHT AGAINST
EXTRAvAGANCE.

SACRAMENTO, Feb. 2o.-The coming of the
CALL to town to-day was very like the un-
discovered entry of an invading army
upon a sleeping city. The sunrise that
awakened the city to realization that it
was in the hands of the enemy could not
have brought greater CONSERVATION than
did the CALL as it dropped upon the desk
of Senators and Assemblymen with no
previous warning of the Indictment that it
carried TO the large majority of gross ex-
travagance. Had thunderbolt unroofed
the Capitol it could not have created a
greater scare and all day long there has
been running to and fro, a gathering in
groups in the anterooms and over lunch
tables discussing the expose. 1t may be
said that the completeness of the ventila-
ton comes upon many of the legislators in
the form of news. But that is their fault.
The data presented has been at all times
accessible to any who cared to look it up.
Yet the worst has not been told. VIII
the Committee on Attaches, which made
its report yesterday morning, state just
what attaches have neglected their work,
or have drawn pay as absentees from their
duty. To the overwhelming Republican
majority in each house is submitted the
ct that q Democratic Governor, elected
with economy as the slogan of his cam
paign, is prepared to rebuke their waste
fulness. The Republicans know that
Governor Budd hesitated for long time
to sign the contingent expense bills be-
cause the Legislature was setting the politi-
cal pace that kills. 1t ought TO know that
the Governor may, at any moment now,
refuse to sign one of their appropriation
bills, and, returning it with his veto, re-
buke the gross extravaganza of the party
in power. This win make fine campaign
material for the Democrats.
How many of the Senators and Assem-
blymen think they can go back to their
people and seek reflections to positions of
trust which they have. thus abused?
Governor Budd is possessed of ample
material to administer most scathing re-
buke to the Legislature. Is it likely that
he viii forego making use of itP There
were no defenders to-day of the extrava-
CANT course of the Legislature. There were
a few apologists. They had done wrong ;
they were sorry; they would see to it that
the next Legislature did differently, was
the burden of their song. Beyond all this
is the charge made to-day that ex-Gov-
ernor Markham, eX-Lieutenant-G Governor
Reddick and observation-disclosures Millard
were primarily responsible for the extrava-
gance of the Legislature. The charge is
made by Senator Eugene Aram of Yolo.
This is what he says:
''l am new member of the LEGISLATURE
In common with members elected last fall,
l believed that the holdovers should deter
mine the number of attaches. The mat
ter was left largely to the Senators who
had had experience. We agreed finally on
the number of attaches. There were to be
ninety-two. We should have kept to that
limit if it had not been for the interference
of the State officers. | mean by them ex-
Governor Markham, x-Leutenant-Gov-
ernor Reddick and Lieutenant-Governor
Millard. They demanded the first pick of
the places. They insisted on naming at
taches.
IF it had not been for that we should
have kept to the agreement. But the in
fiuence was too strong and that is what
caused the Senate to break through Had
it not been for these State officers we
should have had only ninety-two attaches.
That would have given each Senator two
places and left few over. I have had ap-
pointed but two attaches to general places
and l believe that Senator Flint, the presi.
dent pro tem., has appointed but one'
Several of the Democrats denounce the
extravaganza, but fear if quoted that Their
bills will be defeated in revenge. The
Democrats argue that as they are greatly in
the minority they can do nothing They
are at the mercy of the Republicans, SO ia,
as the appointment of attaches is con.
cerned. As one expressed it to-day:
'fThey are the ones to retrench. What
can we do? If we attempt to curb theil
extravaganza we jeopardize the success Of
our bills, many of which are worthy Local
measures sadly needed"
Senator Seawell of Mendocino is Dem
ocrat who does not hesitate to speak his
mind. "The CALL is on the right track,
said he. .'If it wishes to sustain the SUI
premacy of its party it must force the Re
publican majority to cease this extrava
gance. For the very good of that party il
must be done. / have done what could
in general way in favor of economy, but
everything coming from the Democrats is
looked upon with suspicion"
Senator Pedlar thought the CALL was
right in the position it had taken on the
attache question.
"When the Assembly decided to have g
rollcalI of its attaches,'' declared Senator
Fay, Il was asked if the Senate would dc
likewise. replied that it would not, be
cause there were so many attaches they
could not be got into the Senate chamber
at one time
There are too many attaches. am sat
isfied of this without having examined the
report of the committee" said Senator
Simpson. 81 am in favor of reducing the
number as soon as the bills cease to be in.
introduced. | favor dismissing all attaches
who are not then actually needed"
II am glad to see the CALL take up che