The record-union., 1897-01-23

right of questions in my own behalf.
In brief, l ask for the privilege of
making my defense as complete as
truth, honor and justice will permit
S. j. DUCKWORTH.
FURTHER PROCEEDINGS.
This statement was not made public
in any other way than by furnishing it
to representatives of newspapers. 1t
was not put into any shape by the eau
Gus by which it could be presented to
the Assembly.
At 3 O'Clock the House reconvened
and went droningly through the routine.
Two bills were passed and one defeated,
and the only relief to the dark, gray
monotony was a running fire of lively
remarks by Cutter whenever-and 1t
was often-he differed from other MEM
bers on amendments or motions.
NOW COME THE REPORTS.
1t was Wright of Berkeley who moved
to disperse with further reading of bills.
and that the report of the Committee on
Attaches be received out Of order This
report and it's pendant, the minority re-
port. signed by marlborough and
Keegan, are given in full in the pro-
ceedings of the Assembly in another
column. The Retrenchment Commit
tee was chosen by the report as the
agent Of the House for investigating
the charges.
But, as will be seen in the history Of
the day, neither of the reports was
taken as final by the House. Shanahan
talked at length and with the full VOL
ume of his voice on the absurdity of the
use of the word temporary" and cited
the code as to the prescribed method
of organizing the Legislature, showing
that the statutes could not be quoted as
authority for the Clerks appointing
even one 'attache," to say nothing CT
100. He made a very strong point
when he scored the ignorance of body
of statesmen assembled to make laws
for the land, who did not even know the
laws governing their own legislative
body.
LEAVITT'S LAST WORD.
Then came the resolution introduced
by Leavitt as a substitute for both re-
ports, which was at once adopted as
a substitute, and which ignored the Re-
trenchment Committee, calling for a
special committee of seven, to be named
by the House, for purposes of investi-
cation.
1t was upon this substitute that
Bridgford made a stirring appeal to
the House to agree upon thorough in
veStigation, to accept the blame 1t so
richly deserves for having been the
active agent in imposing upon the State
the enormous expense of organization,
and not to make a Scapego1t of the
Clerk, who, while he was undoubtedly
guilty, was not the only one. Bridg-
fords impressive illustration from the
Garden of Eden, with Duckworth as
the seductive Eve, and the Assembly
as the willing Adam, was an immense
suggestion for a clever cartoonist, If
such an artist happened to be present.
NORTH'S AMENDMENT.
to Leavitt's substitute the naming of
the special committee by the Speaker
instead of by the House.
lit was when Leavitt was about to &C
cept North's amendment that the scene
verged on the dramatic. Duckworth had
read Leavitt's substitute from the desk
with an emphasis that drew attention.
especially the phrase And he denies
said charges; it almost seemed as if
they might be Duckworths own, so
pointed was his manner. But he evil
IDENTIFY disliked North's amendment,
and turning to the Speaker asked per-
mission to make a statement. He said,
turning to the House: 1T is of impera-
tive Importance and vital to the issue
for me to make this statement before
Mr.. Leavitt accepts Mr.. North 8
amendment"
But objections were numerous and
the statement was never made. For
Duckworth the strain had been too
great, and calling an assistant to the
desk and placing both hands to his
head he staggered down the steps of
the rostrum, was assisted TO a chair
and a physician called. Fortunately the
attack was not so serious but that the
Chief Clerk was able to walk from the
chamber after some skillful and kind
ly attentions.
THE RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
During this interim the substitute OF
| Leavitt, as amended by North, was
adopted and the House adjourned I'M
til Monday, when the Speaker will APP
point the investigating committee OF
| seven.
ONE ATTACHE.
The statement having been made that
the name of Ella Bateman appears upon
| the roll of the temporary attaches of the
| Assembly without authority, Record
| Union reporter saw Andy Branch yes
| terday afternoon. He said:
Il was at the desk at the time the first
report of the Committee on Mileage was
| handed in. | read the report to the
| House and when finished several mem
bers came to the desk and stated that
OF VOIITu