The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-02-24
Anti-CartOOn Bill From Nothing
to a Law in a Day.
A Brutal Caricature Responsible for the Vic
tory-Heavy Days Work in Both
Houses

+ The day, in the Assembly, began on
! the arrival of the San Francisco papers
at a little past IL o'clock a. m.
What had been done before counted
for little. What came afterward
counted for much.
AS the San Francisco Calls were
opened throughout the House ali in
terest in Assembly proceedings ceased,
and on many faces a species of con-
sternation appeared. Eyes turned to-
ward one man who had not yet un-
folded the sheet.
Then the blow struck home as Grove
powerful, malicious cartoon which,
with pitiless fidelity, pictured, while it
exaggerated, his face and figure and
told story long ago concluded, long
ago relegated to the limbo of the past,
not to be resurrected until at the bid
ding Of personal enmity, the artists
pencil called it forth to stalk across the
papers page.
johnson was stunned and then gave
way. and for hours could not control
the tears which came.
Friends gathered about him, angry
denunciations and imprecations were
heard everywhere, and when the SEN
ate came in for the joint session the
excitement increased. Senators and
Assemblymen alike expressed their in
dignation at the vile thrust, and anti
cartoon bill stock, which had gone
down to little better than nothing un-
der the blow of Wednesday, rose stead
lily until it eliminated during the after
noon in complete reversal OF the
original Senate vote
There was prospect of compliment
tary Republican vote for johnson as
United States Senator, as an Indication
OF the sentiment felt fer him in the
two houses. but that did not take
place, although it is talked of for to-
day.
What did take place, SO far as the
Assembly was concerned. was the
adoption Of resolutions denunciatory
of the course of the San Francisco
Cali and the San Francisco Exam
iner,'' offered by Melick, and of a reso-
luton by Cowan, expressive of the con-
fidence of the Assembly in the integ-
rity, ability and untiring energy OF As
semblyman johnson as a member Of
the session of 1899
Wright offered an amendment to
Melick's resolution Ceiling :or the ex-
clusion of the representative of the
Cali from the privileges of the foo-
of the House, but, at Johnson request,
withdrew it before any action could
be taken.
The dramatic story did not stop here;
the management of that paper desired
the passage of the anti-cartoon bill
and feared its loss, the Calls cartoon
should have the credit it deserves-it
passed the bill
The announcement to the House of
the Senate's action did not await the
formal coming of the Senate Secretary.
1t was brought by a dozen messan-
gers.
There was a Senate amendment, and
when it came over, tackled to the bill,
no time was lost in its adoption amid
cheers. Members who had voted
against the bill during its passage
through the House arose and testified
to their qualification at being able to
set the seal of their disapproval on
the infamous action of the Call 1t
was like a testimony meeting in re-
vival times. The vote of concurrence
to the amendments was SO ayes TO 8
noes.
The last act in the legislative drama
came at the close of the evening ses-
sion. Private Secretary Foley APP
peared bearing a message from the
Governor" Hastily getting other bust
ness out of the way, the message was
opened and read by the Chief Clerk.
1t was as brief as it was significant.
1t said that the Governor had approved
A. B. 400, and so informed the Assem-
bly,.
No ''clack'' was needed to start the
hand clapping and the hearty cheers
that greeted the result. The curtain
was run down on days doings OF
sort which no man would have VEN
tured to prophecy when the Chaplain
offered the morning prayer.
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