The record-union., 1897-02-11

Caminetti states that Hicks name was
among others on card handed to him
and that he said to the committee that
he did not know what evidence they
would give, as he had not personally
seen them.
APPROPRIATION OF '93.
Pertinent to the consideration of the
Companion Bills" for restraining
barriers and dredgers, which comes up
to-day under special order in the AS
sembly, is the following letter from
Controller Colgan to Mr.. Seward,
author Of the bill for the reappropria-
ton of the $250, 900 in question:
Controllers Department, State of Cali
fornia, Sacramento, Feb. 10, 1897.
F. d. Seward, Assembly Chamber.
Dear Sir: Replying to your inquiry
Of the 9th inst. relative to the appro-
priation of $3.50 600 made by the Act of
the Legislature, approved March 24,
1893, for she impounding of mining de-
hris
No part of this appropria ton has
been drawn from the State Treasury
and the entire amount remains therein
unexpended.
The Act above cited provides for the
appointment Of a Debris Commissioner
for a period of four years only, and
makes no provision for the appointment
Of a successor. 1t would therefore ap-
pear that the intent Of the Legislature
was to create the office for the period
Of four years. at the end of which time
the office would cease to exist.
There appears to be no limitation as
to the lie Of the appropriation. The
only conditions surrounding it are
that no warrant against it may be
drawn or paid until the United States
Government shall have appropriated an
equal amount for like purpose, and
that the money is to be paid only upon
orders drawn by the Controller upon
the written request of the Debris Com
missioner, and only for payment of not
more than one-half of the cost Of con-
Struction of works for restraining and
impounding mining debris.
1t follows therefore that unless the
law is amended or the office of Debris
office of Debris Commissioner is con
Commissioner is continued in existence
the appropriation could not be used, as
no legal demand could be made upon
the Controller. Respectfully,
f. P COLGAN, Controller.
DUCKWORTH'S DEFENSE.
It was conceded yesterday afternoon
| by those present at the close Of the ses-
sion in the Assembly chamber that n
more dramatic scene had ever taker
place in the Legislature than the las
one in what the Record Union once
characterized as the lively Legislative
drama Of The Temporary Attaches."
The printing in this paper Of the full
report of the Investigating Committee
Of the resolution of Chairman Waymir'
calling for Duskworths dismissal, anC
Of the fact that they were to be con
sidered yesterday, had given the peopl,
| due notice Of the eliminating event
and the Assembly chamber was throng
| ed with people. many Of whom stoot
| for more than two hours. The sessfo1
| lasted four hours and no other sub
jects were touched. Many ladies wer,
present and the deep interest of every
one was apparent.
The detail of the Assembly's action
On all matters pertaining to the repor
is given in the regular account of tn
proceedings in another column. 1t will
be easy to trace in that account hov
the interest Of all concerned grew il
intensity until the moment came whel
Hin Of Humboldt moved that befor
the fiual rol-call on dismissal, Duck
worth should be heard in his own de
fense The Assembly had agreed t.
lexpurge from the records of the Hous
al censure Of their own chare in TIL
attaches affair, leaving intact all tha
the report said ABOUT the responsiblit.
and misdolng Of the Chief Clerk
FOR FAIR PLAY.
Hans motion touched the innate low
Of fair play which exists in almos
every Americans breast. and his mo
ton received several seconds
When Hart North in;erposed the oh
hct.1n which, under the rules, wa
suhicien; to Kill the motion, it was evi
dent that his action was unpopular
But the ron call went on until Burnet
and Cthers positively declined to vot
unless ruckworth was allowed I
speak This was in line with popula
feeling. and a rumble Of applause grey
to the cheering point. the audience join
ing the members. ana the ladies add
ing their quota.
North withdrew his objection an
Duckworth appeared on the floor at tn
bar OF the House.
The Chief Clerk possesses a stron
personality, q powerful voice and a Ger
tain magnetism that makes him
speaker TO be listened to. Added to
all was the fact that he has taken tn
situation very seriously, notwithstand