The herald., 1897-03-12
Before the Legislative Investi-
eating Committee
ONLY THE LIQUOR DEALERS
Had Any Iaterest 10 the Much Discussed
Bill
The Legislature Works Very Hard Indeed sno
Z: the Dill Appfopriatlng Money tor
Coyote ScsIps Psssss

Special to the Herald
SACRAMENTO March 11-Hearings
In the Levings and Lawrence contempt
cases were to have been had today be-
fore Judge Hughes, but when court con-
vened the first time the senate had not
been notified of the hearing and when
II met the second time the attorney
general had not had time to prepare his
side of the case so the matter was ao-
iourned until 10 o'clock tomorrow.
The committee visited the state print
ing office today and expressed itself
very well satisfied with the management
there. The probability is that there VIII
be nothing come Of that Investigation.
The committee may decide that the IN
stitution is not run as economically as
II should be. That is probable. but this
late in the session nothing will come OF
the report but it's publication in the
journal.
The assembly continues its investiga-
tion of the Examiner Doodle charges.
Today It had before the committee Geo.
Baker, attorney for the Liquor Deal
ers' association. In answer to questions
Baker stated that he had drawn the bill
under instructions from the Liquor
Dealers association. He said he was
anxious to keep the purposes of the bill
from the public. The bill was drawn
and given to Caminetti to Introduce. He
had discussed 1t with Caminetti and At
torney Herrin in the office OF Alvinza
Hayward. On cross-examination by At
torney Clunie, for the Examiner. Baker
admitted that he had consulted Hay
ward about the bill and had asked him
to use his influence to secure its pas
saRe. He referred to certain members
Of the legislature whose support he de-
sired. Clunie asked II those members
were assemblymen, and the witness re-
piled that they were not. Chairman
Belshaw then said that under resolu-
tion previously adopted the committee
could not inquire into the action of any
members of the senate. Baker repeated
that he had no man In the assembly In
mind when hes mentioned the names OF
certain legislators. Clunie then became
fnsistent that Baker should give the
names of legislators whose influence he
vas desirous Of securing, but Belshaw
held that Clunie's question was not per-
tinent, as the witness had declared that
he had not alluded to any members OF
the assembly. Baker related that he
had submitted briefs bearing on the
bill for Herrin's approval. Clunie asked
II It were not a fact that he knew that
Hayward was interested in the famous
Hale q Norcross litigation. Clunie press
ed his inquiry further. and asked II wit
ness did not know that Judge Hebbard
<h> Yofn a emit
against Hayward and his associates.
Baker admitted that he had read about
1t. He declared, however. that he was
not Haywards attorney; that he did
not think they knew anything about the
bill; that he alone was responsible for
the bill, which was drawn up solely for
the benefit of the Liquor Dealers asso-
citation, and that Hale & Norcross or
Hayward. so far as he (Baker) knew
had absolutely nothing to do with the
bill. The committee adjourned till to-
morrow.
The assembly passed this evening and
bill now goes to the governor carry
ing an appropriation for a new ward
building for. the insane asylum at High
land Of $60.000.l The governor signed
. number Of bills today, including one
fixing the minimum rate of wages for
persons employed on any public work at
~ per day. This law applies to men
employed as unemro,yed in Elysian
park. Los Angeles, and on similar work
In San Francisco and other cities, and
to pay them less than 81 is punishable
An effort was made to revive Bulla's
flve-block bill, which was killed in the
assembly yesterday. but 1t proved fruit
less and the measure is dead for this ses-
mln0 orn-