The San Francisco call., 1896-02-21
POLICE COURT CONTEMPT.
The Habeas Corpus Proceedings Under
AdYiSement.

The Habeas Corpus Proceedings Under
Amusement.
OAKLAND, CAL, Feb. 2O.-The habeas
corpus proceedings that will determine the
validity of the Whitney act upon which
the Oakland Police Court is founded, was
argued to-day before Judge Ellsworth. AS
the same points are involved az in the
contempt proceedings of Attorney Garrity,
it was consented that such issues as
are common to both cases should be
argued at once.
Attorney NJ. c. Chapman addressed the
| court occupying the greater portion of the
forenoon in argument upon the claim that
the Whitney act creating police courts in
cities having $50. 900 and less than l00, 600
inhabitants" is unconstitutional, because
it is special legislation. Counsel asserted
| that an act to be general must apply to all
| cities in the same class in like manner It
was argued that the designation of the
| Whitney act as applicable to cities having
! $50 900 and less than 100000 inhabitants"
does not conform to the general law, which
| designates cities OF the second class as
cities of ''more than 10000 and not to ex-
| ceed 10000 inhabitants"
Mr.. Chapman then claimed that the act
was a special one and therefore illegal.
| Messrs. Reed and Nusbaumer appeared
with the District Attorney for the people,
and at the conclusion of the arguments
Judge Ellsworth inIimated that his de-
cision would be in favor OF the legality of
the court.
Olsen Deeds Declared Void.
OAKLAND, CAL, Feb. 2O.-Judge Ogden
has rendered decision in the case tried
some time ago when Dorothea Olsen
claimed she had been led to sign deed
to her property in Alameda and San Fran
cisco, valued at $12, ,000 on representation
that she was signing a civil contract mar
riag. with Peter Olsen. The court set
aside the deed and awarded her the prop
erty Olsen is about half the age OF the
woman. He married her and then they
finally separated. Subsequently they made
up and were to be married by a civil mar
riage. He claimed that she decided him
the property to get him to marry her.
Olsen has served a term in the County
Jail for battery on his aged wife.
Fortin's Position.
OAKLAND, CAL, Feb. GO. L. Max
well, one of the committee appointed by
the creditors of the V. J.. Fortin Brick
Company to endeavor to bring about set
| tlement, says: II am satisfied that the
affairs of the company will be adjusted in
a manner to enable Mr.. Fortin 10 begin
work again. He is well known and the
cause of his trouble is due more to busi-
! ness depression than to any other cause.
| The creditors bave no desire to hurt him.
| | think the attachments which have been
levied against the property of the firm will
| be removed at the meeting OF the credi-
tors which will be held in San Francisco
| next Saturday afternoon"
Silver Water Service.
| OAKLAND, CAL, Feb. 20-The dep
uties of the District Attorneys Office re-
mem bered their chief, Charles E. Shook
! on his thirty-third birthday anniversary
yesterday afternoon with an elegant silver
water service. The presentation was made
| by Chief Deputy L. S. Church, who voiced
the esteem and good wishes Of Mr.. Shook s
associates. Mr.. Shook made feeling re-
! ply. There were present at the presenta
| ton Deputies L. S. Church, II. A. Melvin
Frank Thwaite, Carl Wood, Carlton
Greene, A. A. Moore Jr. and Frank
| Thompson.
Merchants Asked to Close.
OAKLAND, CAL. Feb. 20.-President
| Thomas Carpenter of the Washington.
| birthday celebration committee has is
sued the following appeal to the mer
| chants:
The Washingtons birthday celebration com
mittee takes this means to appeal to the mer
chants OF Oakland to close their stores ant
places of business on Saturday, February %
| 1896. There is to be e large parade in th'
morning, and many Will not be able to parade
| if the business houses are not closed.
Women's Press Club Reception.
OAKLAND, CAL, Feb. 2O.--A reception
was given to the members of the Pacific
| Coast Women's Press Association las
evening by Mrs. e. S. Marshall, at he,
| home, SOL Knox avenue.
Foresters' Ball.
OAKLAND, CAL, Feb. 20.-The sixth
grand annual ball given by Court U. S. o
| a. No. 3s. Foresters of America, will tak'