The herald., 1897-02-15
DEMOCRATS SHARPEN axes
For Necks of Republic an Office
Holders
STATE PRINTERS polio
ImpeIs the Democrats to Tnaururate
Wholesale Reprisal
The Governor Favors Civil Service System
But Tremendous Pressure VIII Be
Brought to Bear
Special to The Herald.

Special to The Herald
SACRAMENTO, Feb. 14.-The state
printing office quarrel is likely to in
volve the whole state before It is ad-
justed. The action of the state printer
In discharging all employees who owed
their appointment to Democratic mem
bers of the legislature has aroused the
anger of Democrats. A number of con-
ferences and secret caucuses have been
held, and it has been decided to demand
that all Republicans holding office in
the various state institutions be decap-
itated, in retaliation of Johnson's pol
icy.
i! This move was first contemplated at
the time of the election Of the state Ii
brary trustees, when the candidates
were required to pledge themselves to
vote only for librarian who would dis
charge all Democrats in the library.
Geo. HI. Stewart of Los Angeles and Ir-
win M. Scott of San Francisco declined
to give such pledge, and as result the
Republican caucus turned them down
and elected Bradner w. Lee instead Of
Stewart. When the particulars of this
pledge became known the Democrats
declared they would retaliate on the
Republicans in office, but the matter
died out. Johnsons action has start
ed the fire again and the debate over
Caminetti's resolution of inquiry why
employees of the printing office were dis
charged may result in bitter fight all
along the line. The superintendents of
all state institutions but three are Re-
publicans All heads of insane asylums
reform schools and normal schools are
OF that political faith, and general
clearing out is threatened.
Governor Budd has favored non-po-
litical appointments for all these places
and a civil service system based on ex-
animation for competency and merit.
but pressure may be brought to bear
upon him too strong to be resisted, and
as result, every superintendent in the
state may lose his head very shortly.
The legislature is also trying to pass a
law to allow majority of the library
board to make removals Unanimous
consent is now required, and the chance
Is that one member of the board may OBJ
ject and keep all the incumbents in Of
| nee. IT the governor declines to sign
the bill 1t cannot be passed over his Veto
and the present law will remain So
1t looks as though he had the whip hand
Moreover, many boards, as, for instance
the trustees of Highland, Stockton and
other insane asylums, do not have to be
confirmed by the senate, and members
of the assembly are now in a majority
Democratic, SO no difficulty in carrying
out the policy of reprisal will be en-
countered. Republican off1ce-holders
are beginning to see their danger and
not few have written to representa-
tives in the legislature urging that ev-
erything be not sacrificed to the state
printers row. Added to this is divi-
sion in the ranks Of the Republicans.
Many policies are advocated but curl
ously enough few seem to favor investi-
eating. The proposition is. the govern
or is correct, or is not correct, in the
statements he makes in his message
vetoing the BILL The matter has now
assumed such proportions that the
whole state and every public institution
Is interested, as it is q possibility that
only the general appropriation bills
may be passed If an open fight between
the legislature and the governor is be-
gun.
Very shortly a new state board of
health will be appointed, and the gov
ernor will send the names to the senate
next week. There are seven appointees
and one must come from Los Angeles.
Police Surgeon Bryant is most likely to
be the appointee from Los Angeles. He
has strong backing. The secretary of
the board must be one of the two Sacra-
mento members and will probably be
Dr. G. B. N. Glow, who formerly lived
in Los Angeles. He is young man, a
Democrat, and has the endorsement of
leading Democrats of this town. DR..
Hart brother of Judge Hart, Repub-
lican, will probably be the other Sacra-
mento member. San Francisco will
probably be represented by either DR..
Gardner or the present secretary of the
board, Dr. Long, who Is about to re-
move to that city.
The legislature, attaches and their
wives, daughters and sweethearts near
ly all went to lone today to visit the
Preston school of industry there
The coming week promises to be very
busy, and much important legislation
will be enacted. In the senate the state
lunacy. commission bill, Bulla's street
car bill, the bill to remove the Whittier
girls to Santa Clara, the bill to allow Po-
mona irrigation district to disincorpor-
ate, to allow the trustees of cities of the
fifth class to appoint the city attorney
instead Of electing him by vote of the
people, allowing cities of the sixth class
Iong Beach) to disincorporate, and
other important measures and bills Of
local interest to Southern California.
will come up. The county government
bill is now back from the printers and
comes UP Tuesday flt final passage; no
further amendments can be made in the
senate.
In the assembly much time will be
taken up in the fight over the printing
bill and Caminettfs investigation Of
why employees were recently discharged
from the state printing office.
The county government bill will reach
the assembly by Wednesday, probably.
The assembly also has bill to exempt
Stanford university from taxation be-
fore 1t this week.
Persistent effort is being made to hold
up southern members and appropria-
tions unless they stand in for every
thing. Vosburg told me recently he was
informed that neither Whittier nor
Highland would get any appropria ton
for improvements unless the southern
members voted for $30000 appropria-
tion to dredge Sacramento river. Other
members threaten that unless other
S.,k1