The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-03-10

NOT REPEALED.
Johnson's bill repeating the purity
of election law came to grief wnen al
most under the Wire f1
Johnson's contention is that the 'pur-
dty'' law is, and has proven, premium
on perjury; that no candidate can Keep
his Expenses within the prescribed
amount that no candidate does. put
that all swear to what Is not strictly
true when swearing to the nxea-
amount.
Cosper thought the law was very
likely a bad law and might be much
better Still he could testify and ne De-
1ieved other candidates could. that 1t
proved a protection from the out ana
open stand ups by all sorts of people
for all sorts of things, from cigars and
drinks to money, to which candidates
formerly had to submit.
Dfbble called Johnson down on the
proposition that all candidates went
beyond the limit in expenditures He
had found the existing law the great
est protection and assistance. He had
been a candidate twice since the law
was in force, and on each occasion had
not spent over $40 for every thing.
ton had cost him 81 800. He believed
the law crude and inefficient in some
respects, but in scope and intention it
was all right, and should not be repeal
ed just because some candidates broke
it. That was not an argument against
the law; it was only a proof that it
ought to be enforced.
Belshaw said he guessed the law was
al vi, ~ -I,av, IA !, od
been stood up to put up he had crawled
in behind the law and often escaped.
I.ardner also believed the law a good
one. +,
johnson here arose with the mien and
expression of an eXhorter at revival
meeting and, in a tone of resignation
remarked that this testimony was in
deed interesting to him. Here were
four men to whom the law had proved
protection and far be it from him to
deprive them of its fostering care. Here
was Dibble who had. by his own ac-
count been saved S1,700, or nearly that.
Perhaps, if the law was permitted to
stand, Dibbles admiring constituents
would pay him a premium of ST, 700
for appearing as their candidate at
the next election So, with the permits
Withdraw the bill This was a mild
sumner and members looked as if they
would like to know just what Johnson
was at, for this has been one of his
pet bills. However, he was taken at his
word and permitted to withdraw the
bill ard the purity of election" law re-
mains intact.
RECESS.
Ca,tetor iojDt session one ballot.
recess luncheon.
THE AMENDE HONORABLE.
The afternoon session opened with
good deal of vim and 60
Mcdonald of Alameda, who is proud
of his Observation-Disclosures Bill"-came
out OF what he delights to cali the
"Anlen" corner into the arena He did
not state that he rose to a question of
personal privilege. There was no need
OF il. When the tall Alamedan comes
OFT of his corner with a certain ex-
preston on his countenance members
vie with each other in yielding him any
privilege he may choose to demand
But Mcdonald was in an uncom-
r4only happy mood, Notwithstanding
that he had been reading in the morn
ing papers certain accounts of a little
part during the call of the house on
Wednesday afternoon. He began:
Mr. Speaker and gentlemen of the
Assembly. I just want to tell you that
I'm no holy terror. Nobody need be
afraid of me. I'm like my friend john
son of Sacramento, I'm peaceable
man. Now, mere I read in these MORN
ing papers that 1 got mad at the
Speaker, and that I shook my fist at
him and that l went up to him
as if l was going to throw him out
OF the window and all that sort of
thing Now that's all wrong l sup
pose l was little hot. but I just went
up to him and 1 asked him civil
question and he gave me civil answer
and that's all there was to it. Why,
gentlemen of the Assembly, l wouldn't
hurt the Speaker. / think great deal
of Mr. Anderson and / don't believe
there's a fairer man in California, and
] want to say right here that I'm will
ing to abide by his decision every time.
'-But, now / don't want you to go
home and tell people that Mcdonald of
Alameda is a holy terror, and that he
tried to throw the Speaker out of the
chair. l want to come here again two
years from now and if such stories as
that get about nobody'll vote for me.
Now, want the papers to get this
straight"
There was great applause and Bel
shaw moved that it was the sense of
the Assembly that Farmer Bill is en-
tirely harmless" So ordered.
THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS.
Immediately after McDonald's speech
To his question of personal privilege
Dibhle moved to take UP the Governors
messages.
Among these was the following, APP
proving of Dibbles BILL the one which
has seemed his favorite of all he has
introduced. making it a misdemeanor
for 4 candidate for United States Sena-
tor to use money in the preceding legis-
lat;ve campaign or for his own cleo
ten.
The Clerk read:
Sacramento, March 8, 1899.
TO the Assembly of California:
have the honor to inform your hon
oeable body that 1 have approved A. B.
349 being entitled:
An Act to amend the Penal Code by
adding two new sections to title 4
thereof relative to crimes against the
elective franchise, said sections TO be
numbered 63 and 631la. respectively. l
heartily approve of this law, because
recent events have demonstrated the
necessity for this measure.
HENRY T. GAGE, Governor.
Almost immediately Dibble was on
his feet with resolution which he Of
fs~ed and which was read from the
desk AZ follows: