The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-17


MENTC, Jan. 16.-HOward E. Wright's re-
guest for an investigation was the
dramatic incident of the day. He made
1T in dignified way, with no more evil
dence Of feeling than could reasonably
have been expected from a man accused
not only of having sold his vote. but said
10 have failed in the delivery Of 1t to the
purchaser. Mr.. Wright left the chair and
spoke from the floor. He declared that
his honor had been impugned and that
the good name of the Assembly was in
.V0lved An investigation was. therefore,
a. right 10 be demanded on behalf of every
member.
.Johnson sent up the necessary resolu-
ton and then spoke TO it at some length
and with evidence Of feeling. Johnson
does not like the newspapers, and as he
made the assertion his whiskers nodded
In the breeze of his indignation. 1 gath
cred that he thought an offense had been
committed, and that the press was guilty.
Still, he expressed an anxiety to have the
truth known. He was certain of the pur-
ity of the motives ruling the Burns camp,
and did not want a supporter OF Burns
on the committee. He wanted the culpa-
Bile caught, and he appeared to believe the
effect of this would be to retire certain
worthy Journalists from the sphere of ac-
tivity However, there could not be Sc
rious fault found with Johnson's speech,
unless for the central thought that leg
islator exposed in the public prints was al
ways more sinned against than SHINING.
Legislators have not attained 10 pertec-
ton. Some of them cherish an idea to
the contrary, and it must be comforta-
bic thing to cherish.
The session was opened with prayer, as
usual, and when divine guidance was in
voked there would involuntarily come the
thought that it was needed. When the
good man petitioned that the Assembly
men have wisdom and courage there
have been at least a silent amen, for both
are needed right now.
There was no dissent to the appoint
ing of a committee and the Speaker pro
tenn announced recess of five minutes
so as to allow him to make selections.
There was no scramble for place. The
gentlemen who were named seemed al
most unanimous in a yearning to press
some other road to fame, but their ex-
'cslses were in vain. The resolution gave
them full authority and If they do not
ferret out crime in connection with the
Senatorial contest it will, according to the
light the public has, be because they fail
TO exercise the privileges of sending for
persons and papers. 1t is not regarded
as probable that their attention will be
confined to any particular case, for,
while that of Wright will be taken up
first no limit is set The rumors floating
about and disturbing the peace might as
well be run down now as later.
The present seems to be a little early
in the session for the precipitation of
row but if anybody thinks the row is not
on he is no student Of events. Viewing
the scene as a mere spectator and telling
about it without prejudice L am cheered
by. sundry threats of being sent to jail.
GIr. Wright does not appear to be pleased
at the chance to vindicate himself.
. After the appointment of the committee
the Senators filed in and balloting pro-
ceeded at the usual gait. There were
four ballots, an effort being made after
each to adjourn, the last being successful
despite the efforts of the Burns men.
There is evidence that the Burns men are
trying 10 make the most OF the moment.
They want to use up all the time posi-
bic and interfere with public business to
the greatest degree while Grant is under
q cloud in connection with the Wright af-
fair, and before any cloud can gather
and burst above their own camp. At
least this is my conjecture. Perhaps they
are not fearful of clouds, but If their sky
Is sunny even at this moment l don't
know q shadow when l see It. Burns is
Sc dead that the misfortune of another
arrived for the morgue wagon to haul
him off and the political coroner to sit
ON what there is left of him.
Tomorrow the investigation committee
:will meet and take testimony. They are
reaching out tonight Tor all who have in
formation, and do not have far to reach.
s. mt of the evidence will doubtless tend
10 explain how It is that the advancing
Of money to Wright was an ordinary loan
ana also why he did not think to pay it
back until The Call had directed his at
tertion to the fact that in pure political
circles this sort of thing isn't done | am
deeply puzzled about it and presume there
are others. This paper has at least scored
2 hit as q collector of Dad debts for IL
had no sooner mentioned Wright's obli-
cation than he got on a spectacular hustle
and made good although am told there
vas no note. If much of Grants money
mas gone this way, the beautiful rain and
the swelling bosom of realty bringing back
d prosperity which had threatened to
vanish may bring it in so fast as to
swell his bank account materially
3 There Is another point to be settled
Wright says $50 | am credibly informed,
not being in training as a witness). that
he received $3.50, Green says It was "oyer
q thousand" and the man Interested
seems to be certain about a certain $40
/ suppose the details Will be set forth
toward satisfying public curiosity.
The Wright scandal, for it is nothing
less, is the main topic Of discussion and
the ethics involved appeal variouslv. ac-
cording to moral and intellectual faculties
and training. Colonel Burgfn said To-
night that candidate for the Senator
snip mad a perfect right to spend money
70 secure the election of people whom he
Knew would vote for him He said this
was customary everywhere, and perhaps
~ - Ng5rertheIess, do not see how 1t
oeVGTal papers have intimated that in
accusing members of the Supreme Court
OF touting for Burns l did a lot Of hIph-
toned Jurists an injustice. Nothing coIId
nave been further from the inten3ion
took Wrights statement as authorize IL
said four members of the court had init
mated to him that they wanted the noi-
onel. If they did this they daubed tbeir
ermine, and If they did not a few avtra
daubs will be observed on Wright r. -
designate the location of these dam: nil
be a part Of the work of the investiga + J,,1
committee, and l hold in reserve 5eatiS,
worGed apology when there shall anneay
q place IL will fit.
information comes from the civ that
for another remark printed in this col1nn
a legal gentleman has secured a warrant
wherewith to clap me into a cheerless
dungeon. ! hope he will think better of n
for my observation when sent as a reporter
to interview people in such places is that
they have invariably expressed prefer
ence for the outside. Besides, there are
other remarks which might be made. and
having been made would render him even
more unhappy than he seems to be now.
and create within him an ambition to put
me into two jails at once.
Speaking of Senatorial contests, there is
one member here who is quietly laying
pipe for a nomination four years hence