The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-08-20
Governor Budd's Expert Was
Turned Down by the
Board.
ELY HAD ROGERS ARRESTED.
Difference of Opinion as to Whether
the Investigation Should Be
Made.

SACRAMENTO. CAL. pug. 19.-Gov-
ernor Budd's appointment of G. M. Har.
rison as expert to inquire into the work
ings of the State Printing Office has cre-
ated a perfect Juror of excitement in
| typographical circles, has led to wars and
rumors of wars in other directions and
| may result in strained relations between
the various State officials who are directly
and indirectly interested in the matter.
At the meeting of the local Typographical
Union last night there was consid-
erable trouble, and President Ely was
repeatedly threatened with personal vio-
lence at the hands of excited mem bers
of the guild.
Ely is the reputed cause of Harrison's
appointment, having, it is claimed, car
ried distorted statements to Governor
Budd as to the manner in which the State
printing establishment was conducted,
and thereby induced his Excellency to
demand an investigation. Eventually Mr..
Ely talked himself out of job, and last
night, by his unfairness in ruling on
questions pertaining to the set of resolu-
tions condemning the action of the State
Typographical Union, as published in
THE CALL yesterday, was bv motion re-
Nelson II. Murry substituted.
This morning Charles J. Nangle, who it
is claimed belongs to the opposition and is
stanch adherent of President Ely, ap-
peared at the police station and swore out
two complaints against 81. Rodgers, FORE
man of the State Printing Office, charging
him with battery and threats to commit
great bodily injury. Rodgers was arrested
and promptly furnished bonds, two of the
leading business men of the city. George
II. Mott manager of Crocker q Co., and
John hatcher, as sureties.
At the meeting of the State Board of
Examiners this afternoon. represented by
Secretary of State Brown and Deputy At
torney General Anderson, Expert Harri-
son was co1diy greeted when he made his
appearance, and upon requesting per-
mission to examine the bills of the State
Printer was informed by Anderson that,
under the opinion rendered by the Attor-
ney-General, at the request of Governor
Budd, he could not be permitted by the
board to exercise the functions of the Office
to which he had been appointed.
Secretary of State Brown then forcibly
expressed the opinion that there was
nothing for the expert to do, and stated
that he was strongly opposed to the ap.
pointment of an expert who was the OPP
ponent of the office-holder both politically
and in business, and who could not help
being preiudiced.
Mountains are sometimes made out Of
molehills,'' continued the Secretary Of
State, "and big stirring-up is effected to
create talk. Nothing comes of it, but the
smirch is left on the name of the Office
holder"
Anderson sent to the Governors Office
for the opinion of the Attorney-General
which barred Harrison. When it came,
Brown read a portion of it aloud, then
stated that it was evident there was noth-
ing for the expert to do.
Harrison remained seated for few mo-
ments. then said, ''WelI, that is satisfac-
tory, gentlemen" and left.
Following is the opinion as rendered.:
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 13, 1896.
Hon. james H. Budd, Governor of the State OF
California, Sacramento, Cdl.-DEAR SIR: In re-
ply 10 your favor OF the 23d ult., requesting an
opinion as to the duties of the printing ex.
pert, whom the Board of Examiners is author.
lied by section 679 of the Political Code to ap-
point, l am of the opinion that the duties Of
scribed by section 679 of the Political Code,
viz: "to examine and report to the board all
accounts for printing presented by the State
Printer or any other person, specifying whether
the work has been executed in workmanlike
manner or Dot, and the amount for which the
| same should be allowed
In view OF the fact that the work in the