The herald., 1897-02-21
MARVELLOUS MAGNANINIIY
Shown by Republican, S in the
Legislature
THE ECONOMICAL EMPLOYEES
Are Not Certain TO Prove Profitable to
the State
Work Done and to Be Done by the State
Legislature-Gosslp Concerning Mem
bers and Attaches
Especial Correspondence to The Herald3

(6peClal TeSpOnOeHCc 10 ne 1lGIdlCJ
SACRAMENTO, Feb. 20.-The pres
ent week has been notable for the only
partisan fight Of the session, and TO the
credit of both sides it must be conceded
that it has been carried on with perfect
fairness. No disposition has been shown
to take advantage Of technioaAties III
parliamentary law bur in all the de-
bates the Republicans, Notwithstanding
their overwhelming majority, have civ
en- their opponents every opportunity
they could have asked for themselves
had the positions of the two parties been
reversed. While the Democratic bills
and motions have been voted down, it
has always peen after debate and al
ter every opportunity was given the
minority to be heard. Sometimes, even
when through lack of knowledge Of par
liamentary law, the minority lost ad-
vantages they should have had, the ma
iority has magnanimously stood aside
and helped them. The action of the as
sembly in allowing TWO experts in Print
ing and two expert accountants, one in
each case appointed by the Democrats,
was an evidence of fair play that should
be appreciated by the minority and
their friends. 1t puts the question of
honesty in the Investigation of the
printing office above cavil or criticism.
Indeed the only evidence of excessive
partisanship that | have seen display cd
has been by Caminetti possibly due to
his congressional experience, but "a amy
rate very evident IT mas been displayed
in the executive sessions of the Judiciary
committee and has led him to say and
Ia; w a.
priation bills We're under consideration
that considerably lowered mis- reputation
among the lawyers. In other words, the
lawyer was sunk in the politician. Dick
inson, too in the senate, is rather in
clined to be partisan but as a rule the
senators are even more liberal ana
broad minded than the assembly. and
when they divide, divide as they choose
regardless of party, on the wisdom OF
the measures before them
The mistakes in the assembly are
largely due to the very large percentage
of new men and young men entirely llI-
experienced in public life. When
young man first enters public life he
fancies his foot is on the first round
of a political ladder, the last round of
which is the presidency. There is scarce
~ a man on the floor Of the asse mbly who
in his secret heart does not expect some
Gay to be addressed at least as "Sena-
tor or Governor" The result Of this
very laudable ambition is that the en-
byro senators and governors are contin-
ually sparrng for position, and kicking
up a dust about nothing. To listen to
the debates in the assembly one would
believe that that aggregation of genius
was collected together for the sole puT-
pose of discussing the duties of lanitors,
or the incompetency of clerks. The
legislature has passed a bill to cut down
~, Of IN a1F n
sion. and reduce their per dier and both
objects are sought to be obtained by
horizontal system regardless Of the
needs of either house, or the competency
of the men employed. The result Will
be that the next legislature Will have
very incompetent clerks and endless
blunders will undoubtedly result. So
much has been written and said about
the number and character of employees
around legislative halls that the general
public is inclined to believe that there
is really no work to be done. or brains
needed to do it well. The fact is the
work required is enormous, and UNLESS
those who do it are thoroughly compe-
tent they will cause immense loss to the
state. There are over 600 bills intro
duced in the two houses. All haNt to he
considered in committees; i'm most cases
they must be amended and the addition
of an IS" or even the misplacnS Of q
comma makes q great difference in the
purpose and intent of the act. The bills
ave read and amended rapidly in open
session. amid more or less confusion, ana
it takes an expert TO avoid all errors.
What is wanted is enough Of competent
men at fair salaries to do the work; tnat
cannot be accomplished, fear by the
bills on the subject the legislature has
adopted this year,
l spoke Just now of the candidates for
lu.4 J ii 80 a.
that although there are many VINO af=
rot likely ever to achieve their ambition,
there are others who no doubt by he
time the next eis'atUre meets VIII be
holding federal aud other more promi-
nent places than those they now occupy.
Speaker Coomos, for instance, wants to
be our minister to Japan; Kenyon Of
as consul until such time a- the lands
become a part of this republic. Kenyon
has lived for time ON the islands and is
thoroughly cOnNersant with them. lie
would make an excellent ctiicial If he
gets the place he seeks Captain Cross
wants to be collector oil customs, to sue
ceed John Gatfey. Valentine would like
to succeed Bulia as state sauat0rI if Bulla
gets the nomination for congress- as it
Is generally conceded ne viii ugNt year.
Mellick has ambitions to succeed SImD-
son as state senator, and poSsiblN to Set
on the state llcsDL 90 succeed secretary
of State Brown, vino is q candidate for
governor. Cauiuetti wants 10 go back
TO congress, and may be q candidate for
senator il the Democrats control the
next legislature. I-A-SpeaFer Lynch.
although he is mot a member of the
present legislature, can De mentioned in
This list as Il candidate for iiautehant-
governor ana NOT in.requenLy hears his
name mentioned for governor Tracy
wants TO be senator nest session, and
there is long, loa1 list besides these
Who have thu bee ot ambition l1zzMs in
thcr bonIets. In tha senate Flint an
aVoWld candidate t0r governor; y o0r-
hles wants to go tQ eauaIess BuI.a is
succa sor tp Har.aN. Simpson wants to
come back as SENATORS Wilmington has
similar ambitions, although san Diego
may conclude to ---d Guy instead; Cen
eral Dickinson las ambitions to- Doe able
to write gov r-D- a.i.I his signature.
and Morehot-e would b- willing to fill
the place NOW oeeup. Q Dg Attorney
General Fitzgerald: Assistant Score
talX D. j.. Mcl<eusa who made
speeches south ~ tl. IaGacuepi dur
ms the recent campaign, wants to- 30 to
congress, and $50 the Nst OFT candidates
goes on until ii duplicates tae roll caH
ard pay roll of both houses.
Speaking of candidates naturally sue-
gests the fact that III. AZ. Estee is cam
diGate for an office again. This time ii
is an appointive office, So he may set it, I
He wants TO so on the federal bench To
succpe6 NICK anna his rcfuaI ,.i,-.s1