The San Francisco call., 1897-02-13
Proteges of Democrats the
First to Lose Their
Places.
Caucus of Republican Legislators
on the Finances of the
State Printer.
Some Fiery Retaliatory Measures Are
Advocated, but Wiser Counsel
Prevails.

the most exciting ana OemOnStratlVe
caucuses ever held within the walls of the
Capitol was that of the Republicans of
both houses of the Legislature to consider
the State Printing Office appropriation.
Very few mem bers were absent, and for
nearly two hours the atmosphere was
kept turgid with exhortation, denuncia-
tion and retaliation, pitched in the highest
tones and widest strains.
Members of the Assembly led in the
discussion and were the most pronounced
in aggressiveness. Frice and Leavitt were
the radicals. but the better judgment of
the mem bers of the upper house and the
older mem bers OF the Assembly served to
preserve the dignity OF the Republican
party by refusing TO advocate or coun-
tenance anything that savored OF bitter
ness or retaliation.
The most sensational departure from all
precedent was proposition to reintro-
duce the bill appro priating $75 900 for the
State Printing Office, and on the refusal
OF the Governor to sign 1t to shut down
the printing office and so compel the
Legislature to journ sine die. Such
course would mean that the various de-
partments of the State Government would
be left without any funds. as none of the
appropriations have yet been passed
and will not even be taken up until the
last Ten days of the session. This would
in turn necessitate the calling of an extra
session, with all its attendant extra ex-
pense to the State and inconvenience to
the legislators.
Though this was strongly advocated by
a few it was seriously considered by q
large majority.
Correspondence was produced to show
that if Governor Budd was really sincere
in his desire to show mismanagement in
the State Printing Office he had the op-
portunity to do so six months ago, but
failed to avail himself OF it.
There was also talk of general retalia-
tion against the Democrats who had voted
to sustain the Governors veto, the propo-
sition being to defeat all the pet measures
introduced and advocated by them, but
this met with little favor also.
Then it was suggested that two separate
bills be introduced on behalf of the much
vexed printing establishment; one to
carry $35. 900 to be devoted to the printing
necessary tor the present session OF the
Legislature, and the other for $40, 600 in
| the nature of a deficiency fund to operate
the printing office to June 80, the end of
the fiscal year.
This met with considerable approval,
but before any definite action could be
taken it was decided to postpone further
consideration of the whole matter until
next Tuesday.
There is no hesitation on the part of
both Republicans and Democrats in say
ing that what began as a personal tiff be-
tween Governor Budd and State Printer
Johnston has now developed into party
question. Many OF the Democrats even
those who voted in the Assem- bly, to sus-
tain the Governors veto, admit that as a
question of right tie Governor should not
have vetoed the $4,000, as there is no
question but that such a sum is necessary
TO continue the establishment in proper
working order till the end of the iscaI
year.
So generally is this acknowledged that
the members OF the uuholy alliance of
Democrats, fusionists and PopuIists In the
Assent bly, are already tum bling over one
another in the effort to give this sum to
the State Printer, but so as to give them q
chance to make two bites of the cherry,
much IN the same way as was proposed in
the Republican caucus to-day.
State Printer Johnston, undesirous of
Keeping employees at work unless he is cer-
tain they will receive compensation for
their labor, has been gradually cutting
down his force, and among those laid off
have been a number recommended by
Democratic legislators.
To-day Senator Seawell was informed
by j. j. Liyernash, who has held very
desirable and Lucrative position in the
! State Printing Office, which was procured
through the influence of the Senator from
Mendocino, that he was dismissed, to-
gether with another protege of Seawell.
Senator Seawell was inclined to view
| this as O measure of retaliation on the
part of the State Printer, and was highly
indignant. He is one OF the directors of
the Ukiah Insane Asylum, and with him
are associated three other Democrats and
but one Republican,.
"There is but one Democrat" said the
angry Senator this evening who is draw
ing trst-claSs salary at the Ukiah
asylum. and he IS the steward. The super
intendent, medical superintendent, clerk
OF the medical superintendentan and steward
are the four leading offices of the institu-
ton, and all are Republicans except the
| steward. The engineer and matron are
also there by virtue of Republican in
t1uence, and the attendants are pretty
equally divided so far as politics are con-
cerned. Since the present board has had
charge there has never been a removal
made Tor political reasons. The manage
ment has always been clear of politics,
and has been on lines looking to the pest
interests of the institution. All the ap-
pointmerts are made by the medical
| superintendent and confirmed by the
board.
II will say for him, however, that while
he is a good Republican he is never
moved by political reasons in making an
appointment and the board has drawn
no political lines in confirming his nom-
inations. The same policy is pursued at
Napa and the various other asyiums in
the State under Democratic control.
II don't know as matter OF fact
whether the dismi issal OF those for whom
| had secured employment in the State
Printing Office was due to political con-
siderations any more than that it is so
rumored. But everything seems to indi-
cate that it is done for that reason. Ger
tainly l have not taken any offensive part
in these matters. There seems to be a
controversy between two State officers as
to the management OF an office.
II have always thought, so far as john
ston is concerned and the Governor is con-
cerned, both are honest and sincere and
the controversy is greatly to be deplored.
IL l really knew that the State Printer
was dismissing his Democratic employees
as q means OF retaliation | would be in
clined to have every Republican turned
out of the Ukiah Asylum"
After having been before the courts and
Legislature OF this State Tor about twenty
year,. the Jordan claim will now in all
probability be allowed. 1t passed the
Senate Finance Committee, the most
crucial bouy, tonight y vote of to 3,
and will. it is understood. go through the
Il