The record-union., 1899-03-20

5ourned at IL o'clock yesterday morn
ing, according to legislative clocks,
and has already taken its first step
toward passing into history.
The closing hours of the session were
very quiet Business was transacted
up to the last minute. There was lit
tie Of the skylarking seen at former
sessions, and a gloom seemed to be
over the houses, and there was cause
for gloom. One hundred and three
a United States Senator, and just as
many times did they fail to elect Per-
sonal feelings had been stung by Bit
ter reproach and taunt, and several
times during the last few days physi-
cal arguments between members and
factions were averted by the interfer-
ence of the officers of the Legislature.
And to add to the feeling of discom-
fort, Governor Gage. in his plea for ac-
tion, in his appeal to the Legislature
to bury personal feeling and factional
strife and proceed like sensible men
to carry out the expressed will of the
people by proceeding to the election
of United States Senator, laid the
1ashfon SPOT that was raw almost to
bleeding.
The lash came in the form of mes
sage, and was handed in only few
v7n;p11far bofo,-c odio,,voyoapt and after
the Governor had been notified that
both houses were ready to adjourn.
The message did not mince matters. 1t
struck at the heart of things, and it
struck deep. The legislators felt the
lash, and endured, but no effort was
made to comply with the wishes of the
Chief Executive. The message, which
added to the gloom of the last minutes
of the session, is given in full, as fol-
lows:
THE GOVERNORS APPEAL.
ITO the Senate of the State of Cali
fornia:' A solemn duty required Of you
as Senators still remains unperformed.
L
the people. not only to pass necessary
and judicious laws, but as we'll to
choose a United States Senator to serve
the State in Congress. AS such rep
resentatives you were elected, not to
voice the desires of particular locali-
ties, but to carry out the will of the
great majority Of our people for their
greatest possible good. Your personal
feelings, your especial likes and dis
likes should, therefore be subordinated
to the sense of public duty. The peo-
pie demand a United States Senator.
During the last political campaign
no subject was of higher importance
than the question OF sustaining or op-
posing the plan of territorial expansion
and the general national policy Of our
great President.
That will Of the majority Of the peo-
pie of this State of all political predi-
lections. as expressed at the polls, was
in favor Of the national Administra-
ton, and you were, in effect, instructed
by that splendid majority to elect a
Senator in accord with the views of
the President
The demand of the people being thus
strongly manifested, no diversity OF
opinion, no private discords. should be
permitted to prove an obstacle to the
fulfillment of the popular desire.
In view cf the great territorial ex-
pansion westward in the Pacific Ocean,
the commercial interests of this State
are too vast and it's political position
too important to be now impaired by
your failure to choose a national rep
resentative.
The power to select Senator is
vested In you by the Constitution. by
the law, and by the people; and the
people require at your hands the ex-
ercise OF that high prerogative.
And now, at the close of your ses-
sion, In the discharge Of my solemn
duty as your Executive, beseech you
to- disregard and discard your individual
prejudices-your personal disagree
ments-and to obey the peoples behest.
1 implore you, not as partisans, but as
distinguished representatives standing
upon the high plane of American citi-
zemship, and as the agents of the great
majority of the people who elected YOU
and also as the guardians of the minor
ity of our people whom you likewise
represent, to execute at this time the
popular demand.
Il implore you to falter no longer in
the discharge of your high duty; tc
select for the State a proper represen-
tative for the United States Senate; to
rise above the antagonisms which have
been engendered during your long ses-
sion; and to choose for the people q
man fully equipped mentally and NOR
ally for the great office of United States
Senator-a man of distinguished abili-
ties and virtue, a, man in whom tbs
people will perceive just grounds fol
confidence-a man who will best sub
serve our commercial and political in
terests. and represent the dignity OF
our people. HENRY T. GAGE,
Governor"
AsSEMBLY's LAST HOURS.
As the last hours of the thirty third
session occurred during the daylight OF
yesterday instead of in the dead OF
might, as is the usual custom, there
was a much quieter time Of it than has
been known In the annals Of last
hours'' il the California Assembly.