The herald., 1897-03-09
AN EXCITING SCENE
The RecaIcltrsnt Witnesses Brought to the
Senate Bar

Senate Bar
SACRAMENTO March s (By Asso-
ciated Press s).-The most exciting scene
of the session occurred this morning
when a resolution was offered to bring
Lawrence and Levings of the Examiner
before the bar of the senate and have
them answer questions as to where they
got their information upon which they
based the bribery charges. The inves-
tigating committee reported that the
Examiners force would not answer
questions and asked for further instruc-
tions. Morehouse then offered the reso-
luton. Seawell said an investigation
showed that the Examiner had no foun-
fation for its charges, and he moved to
let the whole matter drop. Moreaouse
then arose The lobby and galleries
were crowded. Ed Hamilton and Lev
ings sat together ON one side of the room.
Levings evidently was nervous. Andy
Lawrence sat on the heopposfte side.
Morehouse said the attack had been
made on the honor of the whole senate.
When the senate asked for proof, "uhese
mighty gentlemen. these honorable gen
tlemen, fold their arms and refuse to
hand it IN. On what meats do these
penny liners feed that they should
defy this senate; that we should bow
down before them? Why should we fear
them?"
The senator continued in the same
vein, until finally he said, in an eloquent
peroration that was enthusiastically ap-
plauded, that an honest man should only
fear his God Senators Smith and
wilmington took the same position as
Senator Seawell, but Senators Pedlar
and Simpson both, in eloquent speeches,
indorsed More[house Stratton was the
only senator who defended the Examin-
er. The vote stood % for the resolution.
IL against. All Republicans, except
Smith, Stratten, Bert and Wilmington,
voted aye, and all Democrats, except
Chapman, no.
Senator Smith made motion this af-
ternoon to reconsider the vote by which
assembly bill 433 was refused passage.
The motion was lost.
The following bills were passed: BY
Ennis, relating to the duties of boards
of supervisors respecting roads.
Bridgfords 8 irrigation bill had num-
Der of amendments tackled on to 1t and
was read a second time.
The following bills were lost: By So
ward, regulating the mode of operating
mines where blasting is being done; by
Shana ham, relating to rights of way
across mining claims; by Bert, TO pre-
scribe the duty of the attorney general
and insurance commissioner in regard
to the admission of insurance corpora
tions, associations or individuals to do
business in this state
The senate chamber was crowded to-
light when the senate convened. The
galleries held their full capacity and on
he floor chairs were at a premium. The
senator's desks were crowded with lady
friends of the members, and a constant
buzz Indicated that something unusual
was astir. IT was understood that the
of the Examiner were
to be tried for contempt and there was
much curiosity, feminine and otherwise
to know just how the thing was to be
done A little disappointment was man.
ifested when Senator Seawell presented
a telegram from George A. Knight, ask
ing for a continuance until tomorrow
morning. Senator Seawell said that the
matter was now in the hands of the sem
ate and he would abide by the decision
Of that body.
Another telegram was read from
knight to Senator Stratton. asking him
@ urge continuance until tomorrow
morning.
Senator Dickinson said that the case
lad already been postponed from Fri
lay night till Monday, and at the re
he contempt proceedings from o:S0 TINS
afternoon until tonight
Senator Mahoney moved to postpone
action till tomorrow morning at IL
o'clock Braunhart seconded the motion.
Morehouse objected to the delay, say
ng there was no occasion for II. The law
ind the duty of the senate We're plain.
The Examiner had on the ground two
able attorneys, Garrett McEnerney and
A. ]. Clunie. The granting of counsel
vas only a courtesy.
Senator Wolfe said the resolution
passed this morning granted the Ex-
aminer counsel, and the latter shouli
be of the papers own choosing. He was
in favor of Senator Mahoney's motion.
Senator Simpson hoped that the NC
ton would not prevail. He said that the
Examiner had set the time for the hear
ng, and that the paper should be made
% stick to it.
Senator Seawell said the galleries were
,rowded and he supposed that some
body wanted to be heard. The matter
vas not urgent, and he hoped there
was no disposition to make politics out
If the investigation.
The question was finally put to vote
On Senator Mahoney's motion, and the
was granted by 10 to 16.
IN ASSEMBLY.
The assembly this morning passed a
general appropriation bill. The gove--
Tor signed the bill increasing the salar-
es of Chief Crowley and other heads of
he San Francisco police department.
Stratton's bill permitting the garnish-
nent of salaries of public officials was
killed this afternoon by striking out the
clause.
The following senate bills were pass
ID: By Aram, to provide that certain
persons in certain relations to parties
Ire prohibited from testifying; by Hol-
oway, regulating width of wagon tires
ised on public roads and highways.
Belshaw's bill appropriating 10000 for
Experts for railroad commissioners was
econsidered and passed.
In the assembly tonight the proposed
amendment giving the
light of suffrage TO women was lost No
ice of reconsideration was given.
The proposed single tax constitutional
was passed.
The proposed amendments embrace
ng the initiative and referendum were
The proposed amendment relative to
rand juries was amended.
The Dropocad amendment with refar-