The record-union., 1899-01-21

iidQ Deen examined VINO We're IOunu "
be utterly unable to give the source OF
their alleged information
Mellick said he agreed with Valentine
as to that, but how, he asked, were the
committee tosknow until they had
placed the witness on the stand that his
testimony was worthless. I'VE of the
committee" he said, "are in ticklish
position. We are beset on all sides. II
we refuse to listen to anybody who
claims to have information we are
criticised without mercy
Belshaw said he favored the idea OF
getting through with the charges
against the Speaker which, as he under
stood it, were the main reason for the
original resolution of Johnson. Let
the committee get through with them
snd report. Then if they have found
other charges, they can be instructed by
the House to go ON or another commit
tee can be appointed.
Mellick understood that the original
resolution referred not only to the
Speaker, but to all members voting for
United States Senator.
Burnett said that under the original
resolution the committee needed no in
uCtlOllS IIOlIr LIE I1OuSc. icy AAdSS
not gone outside their scope.
Cosper, Chairman, said he did not
want the House to lose sight of the fact
that the committee was their creature,
treir servant. He recognized the right
of the public to eriticise. He thought
the newspaper reports had been reason
ably fair and reasonable in their re-
ports and in their opinions. But, he said.
the committee ought to be allowed to
&c on free from pressure. Personally
he favored paying attention to no
charges unless presented in writing and
signed with some ones name. The COM
mittee, he thought, should be allowed TO
&C on without dictation unless called
before the Assembly by that body itself
for direction as to it's course.
Caminetti said he hadn't found that
this committee had asked for or that it
desires any further instructions than,
those contained in the resolution which
called it into being, and he thought all
this discussion out of place and re-
fection upon the committee.
Conrey, who seemed cast down by
the manner in which his resolutions
were received, asked permission to
Withdraw them, which was granted.
TWO MORE MEN WANTED.
Mellick then offered a resolution pro-
viding that two more members be added
to the committee, one of whom should
be member voting for Grant, and one
a member voting for Burns.
Dibble offered substitute naming
Johnson (Burns) and Works of San
Diego (Grant) as the two additional
members This suited Mellick who with
drew his own resolution.
But Johnson said, while he would not
shirk work or duty, he did not want
To do this thing. 1t would subject him
to all sorts of misconstruction and mis-
from those fellows who
claim to own the State of California and
call themselves newspaper men, and
they would make pictures of him, too.
He moved to substitute the name OF
Cobb of San Francisco.
Cobb rose to decline while Dibble
said, "Johnson's the man for the place
and must stay"
THEN THE FIREWORKS.
Caminetti broke in to the harmonious
way in which the two new members
were being acquired with the asser-
ticn that it was not proper procedure
te add new men to the committee at
this stage. They had not heard the
evidence nor had they seen the manner
of the witnesses on which so much de-
pended, and could by no means render
a fair report
Mellick declared that it was not the
verdict of a jury that was wanted; 1t
vas a fair and just report. Il only
speak for myself" said Mellick, "but
say to you that If these two members
are not allowed us I will go no further.
1 don't propose to stand between these.
two big forces, the Grant and the Burns
men, and have my brains butted out
Johnson's amendment substituting
Cobb was lost.
Dibble said it was common thing
to add to such committees. This was in
reply to Works, who had sided with
Caminetti.
Then the man from Amador and Mel
lick got into a hot dispute in which
N click mentioned Democratic bum
and Caminettiaccused Mellick of
voting one way and talking another.
Mellick came back at Caminetti when
the Speaker pro tenn called both to
Crder.
Then Han1ey of San Francisco arose
IN his place and, protesting himself
tired of the proceedings. took away
everybody's breath by moving to lay
the whole matter on the table. His
motion carried, and Mellick rose and
formally withdrew from the committee.
To follow the history of the storm to
the end, Mellick was prevailed upon
during the recess to think better of 1t
ard during the afternoon session filed
statement to that effect, retaining his
place.
GREEN STILL REFUSES.
Cosper then presented the report of
the Investigation Committee on the
contempt of Milton S. Green. 1t is as
follows:
Mr.. Speaker: We the undersigned.
your committee to whom was referred
the investigation of the charges that IL
legal methods are being used to infiu-
ence members of the Assembly in the
matter of their votes for United States
Senator, with full power to act in the
premises, to subpoena and examine wit
rssses, beg leave to report:
That in pursuance of such resolution
aQCpJeQ Dy the Assembly On JdHudly
1c, 1899, under which we We're appoint
ed such committee, we undertook such
investigation.
Among witnesses called was Milton S.
Green, who refused to answer certain
questions submitted to him. Such re-
fusal to answer was reported to this
Assembly on January 1S. 1899, to-
gether with the questions so submitted
fer answer and answers to which were
refused by the said Milton S. Green.
The Assembly, by unanimous vote,
declared said questions pertinent and