The morning call., 1895-02-14
Still PLEADING
FOR RETRENCHMENT.
ADVOCATES OF ECONOMY SECURE
REDUCTIONS IN SOME AP-
PREPARATIONS.
OTHERS HAVE BEEN RAISED.
The STATE DISTRICT FAIR FUND
BILL WILL Be DISCUSSED
THIS MORNING.

SACRAMENTO, Feb. 13.-There were a few
gains made by the advocates of retrench-
ment at the afternoon session. The gen.
eral appropriation bill came up for its
second reading at o'clock. Most of the
changes decided upon when the Assembly
considered it as a committee of the whole
were formally adopted.
The appropriation for the porter of the
Acknowledgement was raised from 1850 TO
its old figure of $2400. This movement
was voted down yesterday. Reid CD of
Trinity wanted the salary of the porter of
the library raised to the same figure. The
motion was fought.
The friends of the soldier boys made
fight for the old allowance of $4,000 for target
practice instead of the $4,000 agreed upon
yesterday. Powers of San Francisco led
the fight. He argued that the militia was
valuable in proportion to its ability to
shoot. The target practice of the past
had developed some splendid marksmen.
Powers said the money was for general
use. 1t was necessary expenditure and
such he would advocate always.
Dodge of Alameda thought the riots had
shown that money spent to teach the
militia to shoot was SO much wasted.
Bachman of Fresno resented this, stat
ing that there was no question as to the
quality of the men or the women either in
his county.
McKelvey also protested that if any one
was to blame, it was not the men. Dodge
retorted that the work in Sacramento when
the regulars drove back the crowd without
a shot, while the militia had given way,
showed that he was right.
Powers urged that the strength of the
regulars arose largely from the fact that
they took their orders from one man, and
said that when the National Guard had been
put on one brigade basis, such an unhappy
state of affairs as that of last June would
be impossible. He was for retrenchment,
but he was unwilling to refuse a request
that the States apparatus be made effect
i've. AT last the question was put to vote
and carried.
The appropriation for the State Printing
Office was reduced to S244, 600 Then the
appropriation for the State textbook de-
partment was reduced from $4,000 10
$4,000, after a hard struggle. Then quiet
ensued till the question of making $4,000 for
travelling, legal and other expenses of the
Deputy Insurance Commissioner during the
next two years be allowed for the commits
sion 'and attorney"
Reid of Trinity objected. The expenses
of the commission would be only a few
hundred dollars. The rest, he said, would
be used to foist on the State another sala-
Tied official in the shape of an attorney to
do work belonging to the Attorney-Gen
erals office. The amendment was adopted.
Then Reid moved to amend by striking
the amended line out entirely. This
struck the House in the right way and it
was carried. After half an hour Brusie
wanted to have it reconsidered. but he was
too late and ruled out of order.
Rowell of Fresno made his first speech in
opposing the appropriation of $1,000 for the
stenographer of the Railroad Commission.
Money might as we'll be cast into the Pa
citic Ocean, he said, as to be given to this
commission. His speech availed not, how
ever.
The proposition to give $4,000 for the
care of Yosemite Valley caused another
discussion. Bledsoe moved again to leave
it out altogether. North of Alameda wanted
to substitute $4,000. Bachman of Fresno
registered his kick against the management
OF the valley and the appropriation sug
.gested by North was carried.
1t was decided to receive the Civic FEEDER
alton that had come from the city to urge
the bill to Lexow the State at recess that
was to be taken at o'clock, and the ques-
ton of the appropriations for the State
District fairs was taken up.
A last plea was made for economy by
those favoring retrenchment. BuIla of
Los Angeles showed by figures of moneys
already appropriated by the bill they were
considering and that would have to be
used the pledges of the platform would be
broken. He was not able to conclude as
the time came to hear the visitors from
San Francisco talk, and the bill was made
che special order for tomorrow. The
amount appropriated is viewed with alarm
by the economists. They feel that mis-
take is being made in allowing large but
not absolutely necessary appropriations,
and many Republican members who have
taken no part in the discussions of the last
few days will vote against the bill as being
exorbitant in its demands.