The record-union., 1897-01-04

the rake-down per diem shall aggre-
gate 1921 80 During the last session
of the Legislature 153 attaches were
Supposed to have been) employed at
cost of $S18 per day.
PROBABLE RESULT.
Saturday night the Republican mem
hers of the Assembly caucuSed and the
opinion that a reduction of expenses
along the line of attaches ought to be
made was universally concurred I'M.
In order that intelligent action might
be taken at the regular caucus which
meets this morning, a committee OF
seven was appointed ito report on the
matter, and the action to be taken this
morning will either push the hanger on
deeper down into the slough of despond
or set him upon his feet once more
and make him to feel that life is really
worth living, and that good things
really are worth waiting for under the
beneficent laws of a State, which un-
dertakes to feed it's starving poor from
the Golfers of the people.
DAILY HISTORY OF BILLS.
Among other reforms recommended
by the hold-over Senate Committee is
one to which every member has taken
kindly, and which will no doubt be
adopted unanimously. It is nothing
less than the printing for daily distri-
button the history of Senate and AS
sembly bills. The adoption of this sec
tion of the report will fill a long-felt
want, as heretofore the history of bills
mas been a back number, weekly affair
which has had small place in this age
OF dailies. It really amounted to prac-
tically nothing, for the day after its
publication the file would be so shifted
as to make it worthless as a means of
reference, which was the end aimed at.
All of the legislators who have ex
pressed an opinion concerning the mat
ter asserted their intention of pushing
it to adoption, as it not only tended to
expedite business, but as reference
sheet would have no equal.
The recommendation of the hold-over
committee that there be printed and
posted daily bulletin, containing lists
of committees, notices and places of
committee meetings and bills to be con-
sidered by committees together with
date of such consideration, has also be-
come popular and will no doubt be
adopted.
Other reforms tending to expedite
business will also come up when the
report is sent in, and radical changes
may be expected in almost every line
Of business connected with the two
houses
All day yesterday and far into the
night the committee appointed by the
Republican members of the Assembly
at the caucus held Saturday night,
toiled over long rows of figures in their
effort to prepare a schedule of cut rates
on the attache proposition. The re-
port of the hold-over Committee on
Legislative Business was bearing fruit.
There was no nonsense about the
committee which had the matter in
hard. 1t was a. clear, cold, business
proposition. They had been appointed
to formulate a cut-rate schedule, and
they We're out to do their duty. They
began at the top and cut and slashed
all down the line, and when the Rec
ord Union" went to press the war was
still going on in Flanders
Yesterday afternoon the question
arose in the minds of some of the COM
mitteemen as to whether the members
of the Assembly would acquiesce In the
slaughter they were making, and the
doubt resulted in an informal caucus.
The committee was lauded for its
good work and importuned to continue
on the same line. In other words, the
Republican members were behind them
and would approve of the cut even if 1t
broke the bank.
1t was impossible for even the mem
bers of the committee to state just
what former attache positions would
be stricken from the list, and even
could it have been done the committee
preferred to remain silent.
This much you may say" said
Chairman North fT'he committee will
report recommending reduction all
along the line, that will average %
per cent You may further say that
the report will be adopted by the As
seTnbly, and that the patronage left
will be equally divided among the Re-
publican Assemblymen"
So the first effective shot for re-
trenchnlent and reform has been fired
even before the Legislature has con-
vened, and while 1t does not meet the
sweeping recommendation of the. Sem
ate Committee, there are citizens who
smile when speaking of the matter,
and say that a cut of % per cent. from
the per diem expenses of the Assem-
bly, lis not such bad beginning after
all. On the other hand, there are those
who shiver and wonder where the
lightning will strike. With them it
seems to be a forerunner of the writing
or the wall, which translated, means,
mo wine, no dine, no winter"
DUCKWORTH WINS.
S. ]. Duckworth's fight for Chief Clerk
of the Assembly has been fought and
won. His friends rallied to his support
in the hour of his need and ia view of
his past record and efficient services
while occupying the same position dur
ing the last Legislature, have again hon
ored him.
There was no caucus, and with the
spirit of friendly rivalry the friends of
the several candidates counted noses,
and, incidentally votes, and it was found
that AZ Of the number favored Duck
worth. 1t was agreed forthwith that he
should be the nominee before the AS
sembly. and that w. G. Hawkett of Ala
media be given the second place-Assist-
ant Clerk.
Atkinson, the San Francisco man,
could muster no more than four votes,
and as a consequence was left out in the
cold.
The informal meeting also indorsed
Frank L. Coombs of Napa for the
Speakership. and no further business
coming before them, the members
melted away and mingled with the
throng of nlace- seekers