The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-15

Some of the Minority, However,
Are Inclined to De ay The
Outcry.
Rather Expensive Furniture Pur.
chased for the Use of the
Committe Rooms.


Democrats and Populists of tie Assembly
caucused tonight and resolved to roar
on the floor of the House tomorrow.
They will denounce the extravaganza of
the temporary organization and assert
that they were not informed OF the en-
ployment of so many temporary officers
un til they read the names and amounts
in the journa! of the Assembly the fol-
lowing day.
Some of the minority believing that the
Assem- bly, has the right to spend its con-
tingent fund as it pleases recommended
that the fight be POSTPONED until meas
ure is presented asking for the appropri-
alton of more money for the contingent
expense of the Assembly.
The Republicans are prepared to show
by the record that Speaker Coombs adj
vised all the members that the roll was
large and included tie names of many
persons who were not statutory officers.
1t is recalled that the Speaker went out
of his way to direct the attention of the
House to the extravaganza. At that time
the Democrats and Populists supposed
that men to whom they had promised
recognition were on the temporary roll,
| hence the admonition of the Speaker was
| unheeded.
Should the majority in the House re-
| fuse to entertain a resolution for an in
yestigation the minority members will
speak to questions OF personal privilege.
All the confusion and expense of investi-
CATION will not save the money because it
has been drawn from the treasury on
warrants issued by the Controller and de-
livered by the Sergeant at Arms.
Retrenchers who really want to retrench
and call halt before the money is gone
| should look around the com mittee rooms
and note the many expensive folding
| desks, costing from $50 10 $50 each, which
| the Legislature is now purchasing for COM
mittees. The furniture bills of two years
ago were large enough. At that time
sufficient commiltee-room furniture was
bought to last twenty years, but that fur
niture is out OF style now and something
modern. costly and up-to-date must be
provided. When the furniture bills come
in there will be a scream OF rage. The
buying is going on at present and the
goods must be paid for from the contin-
gent funds. In the item of purchasing
new furniture the Senate is setting the
pace. The Populists and Democrats know.
/
| furniture has been ordered. Men who
have been around the Legislature for
many years are saying: Where did all
these handsome 500 tolding-desks come
| from2"
| The hair OF taxpayers will stand on end
when they read of some of the demands
| for money made by State institutions. The
Assembly Committee on State Hospitals
and AsyIums, Malcolm chairman, held a
session tonight in the library. The COM
mittee glanced over bills calling for ap-
propriations of more than half million
| dollars. The Southern California institu-
tion for the insane wants $1S3 900 for i'm
provements. Everything from barn to
an electric plant is desired. The Mendo-
| cino Asylum asks for $3.50, 900 for improve
ments. This is only little starter. When
| all the institutions line up with demands
| for maintenance of inmates, new build
| ings, laundries, dining-rooms, heating ap-
paratus, etc., the sum will increase TO mil
| lions. On top of this will come the Normal
schools, the university, the National
Guard, the Supreme Court, aggregating
| another million.
| And then on top of it all will come the
allowance for common schools, 81, 100000
more. Old claims, special counsel fees
and the State Printing Office will easily
take another million. The whole scheme
of appropriation by the million will be
rushed through on the closing days of the
session with less of public remonstrance
than was uttered against the payment of
$4,000 to 100 men on the temporary roll of
| organization.
The temper of the Legislature seems to
be in favor of letting everything go. Men
who are noting with keen interest every
| thing that occurs predict that the scenes
OF the Legislature of 1889 will be repeated.
The public institutions scattered through
| out the State can rally quite a force of
mem bers. This force com bined with
claim supporting element could swing
majority in each house. The outlook at
present indicates that the big appropria-
| tions will be passed.
Bills have been introduced to regulate
the telephone companies. One bill puts
an annual tax of a dollar on each pole
erected by light and power companies.
Telephone charges are limited to 81 a
month, and the companies are required TO
file with the Controller an annual state
ment of their receipts and disbursements.
The Roads and highways Committee OF
the Assembly met tonight and heard the
Road Com missioners. The sentiment of
the committee was favora BILE to a continu-
anee in office OF the Commissioners and
the appropriation of more money.
The Assembly Committee on Federal
Relations met this afternoon and decided
to report in favor of the adoption OF the
Caminetti Nicaragua canal resolutions.
The committee will also report on the
Sanford resolution thanking Congress for
the defeat of the funding bill.
The Assessors now here will meet Ry-
land Wallace and Judge Daily, of the Code
Com mission, tomorrow morning. The
bills which have been prepared are about
ready for Introduction.
The Judiciary Committee to-day lis
tened to an argument by Judge Dibble