The herald., 1895-01-27
AFFAIRS At THE STATE CAPITAL
Southern CALIFORNIA; Strong
Representation.
Chairmen Of Important Committees
From the South.
A Bill to Be Intro need Providing for
the Proving of n VIII Prior TO the
Death of = Testator.
speci.l correspondenoe Of TINE HnnALD.

SAcRAMyNTo, Jan. z5.--The smoke OF
the senatorial battle having bssn dis
PEELED, the two houses Of the legislature
are rapidly settling down 10 earnest
work. The one break which will inter
rupt tho proceedings 10 tho inaugural
ball Monday nights. In consequences OF
this fact, no work will be done in either
houso before 2 D. m. on Tuesday.
1t is recognized fact that Southern
California has ia every respect the
strongest representation In this legisla-
turs. Her representatives. are looked up
to az authority on most matters pertain
ing to state Issues. and while not strong
in debate are the hardest and most
effective committee workers in both
senate and assembly.
SOUTHERN MEMBERs RECOGNIZED.
In the senate Orr, OF Ventura. and
Seymour, of San Bsrnardino. are the
chairmsn of the two most important
committees, corporations and irrigation,
and owing to their familiarity with leg
islative procedure, have taken an active
part in shaping all work 80 far begun.
Simpson and Androus OF Los Angeles
are both recognized % sound on ali
points OF procedure and are active COM
mittse workers. Senator Androus Is
rapidly recovering from his illness, and
it is expected will take his part In the
proceedings on Tuesday,
fra the aseembly similar conditions
prevail, Bulls 10 one OF the best posted
mon ON matters judicial in the house,
and his Judgment is usually accepted In
settlement Of disputed points. Weyse.
ia the position OF chairman OF the
hsrdest- worked committee in the as
semblv, has given general satisfaction,
aud even the unfortunately who were
disap pointed in their ambition OF be-
coming attaches have good word Tor
him, and vent their spleen on other
mem befs OF the committee.
WOULD BE AWFUL BAD 1T 1T DIDN'T.
It 10 early yet to formulate an eati-
mate Of the body "a whole, but it is
stated by competent judges to compare
more than favorably with past legis-
lstures, and it IL predicted that the his
tory OF the present session will have
few doubtful pages in 1t.
Timothy Guy Phelps OF San Mateo
rneuestionably leads the house in
forcible oratory, . close second being
Judge Spencer OF Lsseen. Other talk
ers Who are making their individuality
acknowledged are Gutter of Yuba,
Brusie OF Sacramento, Dinkelspeil OF
San Francisco. Psndlston OF Los Auge-
les, Guy OF San Diego, Bachman OF
Fresno, Reid of Trinity. Dodge OF Ala.
media, and The Lone Fisherman OF
Humboldt, Bledsoe. II Ia early yet.
and other and brighter lights may de-
velop before tho session closes. Legis'
lation is piling up beyond precedent,
but it Is sale to Say that Q large per-
centsge OF the bills introduced will die
in the committees. The large majority
40 far introduced are eishe duplicate
measures, or merely introduced to
satisfy the constituents Of members In
Producing them, and are deficient In
merit or value.
SOME OF THE BILLS.
Assemblyman Jones Of San Joaquin 10
tire father OF a measure that will attract
the attention OF the legal fraternity, not
alone In this state. but in the event OF
the measure becoming law. OF the
United States, as 1t is q new departure
In Its department.
In general terms It provides for the
proving Of o last will and testament in
the superior courts OF this state prior to
the death of the testatcr.
The instrument can be fully adjudged
and established. 1t provides for the
possibility of contest by an examination
Of witnesses in interest.
Any person interested may appear and
contest the application to prove the doc.
ument. II further provides for the es-
adjustment by specific evidence that
tho petitioner Is competent to make dis.
position OF his estate. aud that in max
Ing such disposition he is free from
duress, menace, fraud or undue influ-
encs; and any other questions substan-
TALLY affecting the validity OF the instru-
ment, the last will and testament may
be established.
Senator MCGOWAN will introduce the
measure in the senate.
The assembly judiciary committee
have made careful examination OF the
bill, and, recognizing its Importance.
have set Wednesday, January 30th, for
q special hearing.
Senator Audrous has introduced q bill
asking for the appointment Of q com.
mission with power to select prison
site at some point in Southern CAL
ifornia.
This measure will. il is stated, receive
favorable confederation and speedy ac-
tion in the matter looked for.
He will also introduce bill making
il felony for any one to attempt to in
huence Whittier inmates to break the
rules of the institution In = criminal
manner. and in general terms provides
for the adoption of measures tending to
increase the efficiency Of the institution.
In connection with the prison site It
has been suggested that Catalina island
would furnish an ideal situation for @
penal establishment.
MILITARY MATTERS.
The atrike troubles OF July, 1894, have
attracted considerable attention to the
National guard Of this state and the
committee on military affairs will find
their time fully occupied before the
close Of the session.
Many reforms in the organization Of
the militia are under consideration, and
one Of the most radical. which may be
introduced, provides for the consolida-
ton OF the stats OF the governor and
adjutant-general. the abolishment of
the Office Of major general, the abolish.
m ont Of the First brigade and in its
place the formation OF one twelve-com-
pany regiment under command Of ono
colonel. 1t 10 claimed that the proposed
II Al. :.