The San Francisco call., 1898-12-19

The Senatorial report was omitted and that of the Prison Directors inserted.
 With this arrangement State Printer Johnston professed to be per1ectiy saus fled He had held out until the signature of Attorney General Fitzgerald had been obtained and the indorsement or the com plete Board of Examiners was at nls con- mand. When the Attorney General signed the order there appeared to be nothing more than to open the State Printing Office. But MT. Johnston baked.
 He was not satisfied with his own agree ment and sought the advice of outside at torneys-Devlin x Devltn. These attorneys gave the State Printer long opinion, m which they assured him that the State Legislature had full power to pay the ex- pense that he would incur in opening the State Printing Office at this time and printing the documents that are an abso- lute necessity to the organization or the Senate and the Assembly and the conduct of public business. More than that. MT. Johnston was assured by his private at torneys that there is a moral obligation on the part of the Legislature to pay the money he would eXpend- In printed opinion, submitted by Devlin & Devlin. to the State Printer, the attorneys say: We have no doubt but if the Legislature should appropriate money to pay an in debtedness created by the Board of Ex- aminers the appropriation would stand and be valid"
 With this opinion to support him-with the Governor, the Secretary of State and the Attorney General to authorize him, ana With . clear unQeTStd0OlDg that dc- ton is matter of good public policy-Mr. Johnston refuses to act. In order that there might be no misunderstanding State Printer Johnston received the following official letter from the Secretary of the State Board of Examiners:
 A J. Johnston. State Printer: The author iZatiOn to open the State Printing Office was given to facilitate the work of the Legislature and the same could be paid for legally by an appropriation of the Legislature, as stated by your attorneys. Devlin & Devlin.
 If. under the circumstances. you decline to perform the work, after authorization by this board. that Is matter which rests entirely with you. JOSEPH GORMAN
 Secretary or the State Board ot Examiners.
 But still MT Johnston refuses to open the State Printing Office, and he gives his reason. He declares that certain promi- nent members of the incoming Legisla- ture have told him that they will not all low the expense that will be incurred. Their reason for retarding public business and bringing discredit upon themselves and their party Is that they may reap whatever advantage there may be in a prolonged contest for United States Sena- tor. It is an old trick of dishonest legis- latOrS to extend such a contest as long as possible. There are financial and other reasons for this action. but 1t is seldom that even petty politicians will place ously on the auction block. The bust ness community of this State has never taken kindly to the length of legisla eve sessions. Business men and merchants have always been restless in anticipation of the biennial meeting at Sacramento. This unrest has changed to disguest. now that it is shamelessly proclaimed that cer- machinery of government to attain The.r dishonest enuS