The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-02-09
NOW THEY ARE SAFE.
attaches Not Dropped From
the Payroll.
SPARED By THE ASSEMBLY.
Back Goes the Retrenchment Bill
10 Committee
KID IT WILL NOT Be RESURRECTTD.
Only Slight Reductions Made in Some
Of The Items Among the General
Appropriations.
LJD IT WILL NOT Be RESURREC7TD.

The resolution of Timothy Guy Phelps
committee that certain attaches be dropped
from the payroll was called up under the
head of unfinished business this morning
by Bledsoe of Humboldt. Yet there was
no quaking, no paling of the cheeks
among those numbered in the fatal few.
In fact they faced the action of the Assem-
bly, with a confidence that showed the
news had somehow gotten around that the
resolution was to be buried, even though
the caucus of last night was executive.
Events showed that their confidence was
well founded. No sooner had the bill been
read when Pendleton of Los Angeles
moved that the resolution be referred to
the Committee on Attaches and Employees,
although it was in joint meeting of that
committee with the Committee on Re-
trenchment that the resolution was
framed. A half-dozen men were immedi-
ately on their feet to second the motion,
Bettman of San Francisco being recog-
nized by the chair.
The question was put and carried with a
howl of ayes from both Republicans and
Democrats. The noes were called for and
only two or three responded, among whom
Judge Spencer and Phelps of San Mateo
were prominent.
The action showed the temper of the
House. 1t is doubtful if the resolution be
ever exhumed from its resting place with
the committee. If it is it will be greatly
changed, as few of the members would
care to be put on record either as voting
against the present resolution or voting
for it.
The proposed constitutional amendment
to exempt mortgages from taxation, which
was the special order of the day, was lost
by vote of Al to %. Pendleton OF Los An
geles giving notice of intention to recon-
slider the matter tomorrow.
The amendment had number of warm
advocates. Guy of San Diego asserted that
in all cases the borrower paid a heavier
tax than if the mortgages were not taxed.
The money-lender tackled 3 per cent extra
upon the interest, and this the debtor had
to pay. In the meantime the creditor paid
only per cent the assessed value of the
property, which was usually less than
the mortgage, thus making the debtor pay
heavier taxes than he would have to other
wise. Many questions were asked and
put, and when the vote was taken it was
found that there lacked twelve votes of
enough to make up the required two-thirds
OF the House.
'Freeman's bill limiting the amount for
which hotel-keepers can be held liable for
property left in their care was passed.
A bill of Pendleton placing household
goods and furniture among the articles
that can be mortgaged was also passed.
The general appropriation bill was fixed
TO come up at II o'clock. Several post
ponements were had, until II o'clock was
almost reached. Then the reading of the
bill was begun, with the understanding
that the clerk was to be halted when
amendments were to be made.
When the salary of the private secretary
to the Governor was reached Dixon in
terrupted the reading. He saw no reason
why the clerk-the secretary of the Gov
ernor-should be accorded $4,000 year by
the committee when the Governor was
leading hue and cry for reform.
Brusie asked that the allowance for SAL
aries fixed by law be not scaled down. The
law changing the salary of the private Sec
rotary, he urged, might not be cut down,
and there would then be $1,000 deficiency
in the appropriation.
Powers of San Francisco informed the
House that the salary allowed for the pri-
vate secretary was used by the Governor to
pay three people.
Dixon was certain that Powers was mis-
informed.
Bulla asked what they would do about
the appropriations left out if amendments
could not be made for allowances for Off
GERS now appointed.
Laugenour of Yolo was called to order
by the chair when he wanted to know of
the distinguished gentleman from Sacra-
mento' what he meant when he said yes
terday that all were expected to amend the
bill, and to-day he wanted it to go through
unamended. Reid of Weaverville pro-
tested that the policy of reducing the SAL
airy of man whose responsibilities were
almost as great as the Governors was I'M
wise. The private secretary had to act as
Governor when his chief was absent. He
had to be possessed of executive ability
and knowledge of the law, and was worthy
of good pay.
Only few votes upheld the economists
and the measure went through. No
further interruptions occurred till Bledsoe
of Humboldt wanted the appropriations
of 5000 for the salary of keeper of the
archives of the Secretary of State and $1,000
for two special clerks for the same office to
be dropped. He explained that there were
already seven men in the Office, which he
thought was enough. The House thought
differently and the appropriations stood.
Brusie urged that the appropriation for
stationery, fuel. light, supplies, etc., be
reduced from $40, 1000 to $4,000, explaining
that by removing an engine from the
pavilion to the Capitol at an expense of
5000. the State could furnish light and
power for the Capitol, the State printing
Office and the agricultural building during
the fair for sum much less than that
which was now paid for inferior service.
He informed the Legislators that he pro-
posed TO introduce an amendment appro-
priating $4,000 to purchase necessary
plant.
This, he urged, would be matter OF
economy To run such plant would cost
for fuel 5000, for an electrician $24O0 and a
fireman $2160, or $3.50 for two years. At
present the State was paying for light
alone in the building $4,000, on the grounds
S24O0, at the State printing Office $4,000 and
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