The San Francisco call., 1897-03-22
How the Resolution Went
Through the House at
the Last Moment.
A Defeat That Was Turned
Into a Victory in an
Hour.
The QUESTION to BE- Submitted to the
People Within the Space of
Two Years.

Members OF the Legislature arriving in
the City last evening were occupied in
discussing nothing so much IS the consti-
tutionai convention, provision for which
was made in the last moments of the ses-
sion.
Credit for the passage of the measure is
due they say to James Reynolds more than
to any other one man. Reynolds had been
in Sacramento through almost the entire
session working night and day for the
amendment to the constitution which gave
to the Legislature tho power to regulate
taxation.
The bill sprang from the Senate, but got
through the House first with good easy
margin. When it came to the last
trenches in the Senate a distinct change
in the sentiment of that body toward the
bill was discovered, which was traced
ultimately 10 letters and kilograms from
real-es,ate men and big landowners in
this City who feared the single tax might
find realization through it. 1t died in
the Senate, the vote being to 18against it.
X During all his championship of this
amendment to the constitution Reynolds
had incidentally called attention to the
involved and binding character of the
constitution itself, how full Of legislative
ment, of which he had had reasonable as
surance that it would pass was great
disappointment, and came in the last
hours of the session. There was one re-
course-the calling of convention for the
building OF an entirely new constitution.
A Joint resolution had already been in-
troduced and came up for passage imme-
diately after the defeat of the amendment.
REYNOLDS stood in the lobby and saw the
resolution walk through the Senate al
most without opposition. 1t was very
satisfying spectacle after the loss of this
measure upon which he had concentrated
his energies.
Hearing the result of the vote he hur-
ried over to the Assembly and arrived Just
in time to hear the vote announced de-
feating the resolution. A question arose
as to whether majority or a two-thirds
vote was necessary Tor the passage of the
resolution. The chair announced that the
resolution was lost.
Caminetti made rousing speech in fa-
vor of the chair ruling. COON bs climbed
to the chair's place and read the law on
the question, declaring two-thirds vote
necessary. 1t was in the last hours of the
session and the Assemb bly, was in humor
for trifing. There were motions to re-
consider and they went through. Then
came questions as to tue pres, nee of a
quorum and q call Of the House was de-
mauded.
The business dragged in this fashion for
some time. The chair grew weary and
Guy took his place. He. too, became
tired. A motion to raise the call of the
house was made. While the vote was be-
ing counted Guy called for substitute to
take the chair Keegan volun teered.
Now Keegan is stanch single-taxer and
was eager to see the resolution pass. He
announced, although the "ayes" were
almost unanimous, that the "noes"
seemed to have it,
This struck the easy-humored body as
good joke, and Keegan, seeing he had
made hit. declared the 'noes" had it.
The call OF the House was continued, ana
friends of the measure were dispatched to
bring in other friends. Reynolds stood
on guard directing the proceedings from
the rear, ralying the friends of the reso-
luton and keeping them to their task.
For two hours this sort of thing con-
tinued, while the AssembJymen enjoyed
themselves throwing wastebaskets at each
other and making mock motions, with
now and then moving that the "call of
the House" be raised. At last the requisite
number of votes were m arsh aled to carry
the measure and it went through.
Now" said keegan, you can raise
the call as soon as you wish.
Reynolds threw his hat in the air and
declared himself better satisfied than If
the amendment resolution had gone
through.
The question Of calling a constitutional
convention will he submitted to the peo-
pie some time before the next session.
II 1t carries then the next Legislature
will pass law to that effect and appropri-
ating money to defray the expense.
Members OF the Legislature generally
seemed to think the people would vote in
favor of the bill. The convention would
have to be held within one year after the
next session, or within three years from
date. In the meantime an active cam
paign of education would be carried on
with regard to taxation, and the new con-
stitution would very probably introduce
some novelties in that line.