The San Francisco call., 1897-02-26

all parts of the State and who are
anxious and clamoring for an opportunity to
earn living by honest toll, and who would
be afforded the opportunity they desire If this
work were begun at once; and, whereas, the
construction of a new POstOffce at San Fran
cisco is a necessity demanded not only By the
commercial needs of that City and the entire
State, but will be a boon to every section
whose mail must pass through that City +;
therefore, be it
Rescued, BY the Senate. the Assembly con-
curing That our Senators in Congress be in
structed, and our Representatives therein be
requested and urged TO take such action as
will cause the proper authorities at Washing
ton, D. C., TO issue the necessary orders to
have the work of constructing the San Fran
cisco Postofice building begun forthwith, and
be it further
ResoLUed. That copy OF these resolutions be
forwarded TO said Senators and Representa-
tives in Congress by the Secretary Of the
Senate.
President pro tenn. Flint was in the
chair, and ruled that such a resolution
took the same course as a bill and was out
of order, as it was in contravention of
joint rule 49, which reads in part as fol-
lows:
'No bills shall be introduced in either
the Senate or the Assembly after the
fftieth day of the session, excepting rev.
enue measures"
Senator Wolfe protested against the
enforcement OF this. rule, declaring
that it was a violation OF constitu-
tionRl rights, as the constitution OF
the State provided simply that no
bills shall bo introduced after the fiftieth
day OF the session of the Legislature, ex-
h.
bers, without regard to what the character
OF the bill i. He then argued as follows:
'Ihis is a measure that affects San
Francisco and the people OF the State at
large. We know that the authorities at
Washington have made preparations for
the erection of a Postoffice and Fedeia al
building in San Francisco. We know
that fcr years the matter has been pend
ing in Congress, but for some reason or
other, which has never been explained,
no action for the actual construction OF
the building has ever been taken.
"San Francisco is one OF the most i'm
portant seaports of the country, and in
the past fourteen years has contributed
more than 500, 900 900 to the treasury OF
the United States in the form of customs
duties alone. Notwithstanding this fact
she has got Federal building that would
be disgrace to a city of one-tenth its
size.
81 take it for granted that the rule
which has been cited against me was
made a part OF the joint rules mad
yertently, as there can be no question
about It's contraveniDg the constitution OF
the State and the constitutional rights of
the mcm bers of the Legislature. l don't
think the members wish TO tie their
hands by any such rule, and l submit
that this matter is OF too much import
ance to be thrown aside, as it will be if
the decision OF the chair stands.
Another thing 10 be taken into consid-
GRAFTON is the fact that there are large
numbers of unemployed in San Francisco
WHO are drawn there during the winter
period from all parts of the State, and this
matter concerns them in that if the Wash
ington authorities can be prevailed upon
to order construction work on this build
ing to begin at once an opportunity for
work will be afforded these men. The OBJ
ject of the resolution which l desire to
have considered and adopted by the
Senate is to induce our Senators and Rer-
resentatives in Congress to bring about
such action on the part OF the responsible
officials at Washington as will start this
work at once"
Senators Stratton, Braunhart and Dick
inson came to the assistance of Senator
Wolfe, but without avail. The chair held
firmly to his ruling and said that as long
as the rule stood he felt it his duty 10 en-
force if. He added that he had no per.
sonal feeling in the matter and that the
only remedy was to abolish the rule A
conference committee from both houses
has been appointed to consider the aboli-
ton OF this rule and will make its report
tomorrow, which will undou btedly be in
favor OF striking out this rule.
The resolution was returned 10 Senator
Wolfe ana will be reintroduced by him to-
morrow as soon as the report of the con-
ference committee is adopted.
Assembiyman Dibble will introduce the
same resolution in the Assembly to.mor-
row.
In conversation with Senators from all
sections OF the State, il was learned to-
night-that the resolution has their hearty
Endorsement and will receive their sup
port on the floor and also their votes.
Among those who were particularly
strong in their expressions IN favor of the
resolution and the ideas embodied therein
were: Senators Bulla OF Los Angeles.
Siratton of Alameda, Smith OF Kern and
Mahoney AMI BraUnhart of San Fran
cisco. The matter is not looked upon as
one OF local importance to San Francisco.
but as one that affects the standing and
welfare OF the entire State