The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-01-24

Preston and D. M. Burns, and that he
remembered having had conversation
in his store with Mr.. Preston, about the
2Gth Of December. He said Preston
came in and asked him If Mr.. Burns
was going to enter the Senatorial. con-
test, and he replied to the effect that
If he intended doing so he has never
said word to him about it; but said
that, in his (witnessD opinion, if the
"CalI' did not stop lying about Burns it
would certainly force him into the fight.
Witness said he then spoke to Pres
ton OF the things Burns had done for
the party; that he had demonstrated
his ability as a, politician and diplomat
during theI present State campaign, and
had said Why, I hear that Burns
went down in his pocket and handed
out $4,000 for the State campaign
Witness said that when he spoke of
the campaigns he was not referring 10
the Senatorial fight, but to the State
fight. OF his own knowledge he was
not aware that Burns had brought any
influence to bear on any member of
the Legislature in order to obtain votes
for himself for United States Senator
Witness said he had no personal
knowledge of any one who had been
intrusted with funds by Burns to OBJ
tain votes for him. In answer to a
question he said: Burns has SO many
friends that it would be impossible to
name Them
Witness said he was a very warm
friend Of Burns, and had never known
the latter to spend money on any in
dividual fight. Tn fact" he added, che
don't do politics that way. Burns is
always willing to throw his funds into
State campaign
w. F. HERRIN TALKS.
Attorney w. F.. Herrin was sworn,
and said he knew both D. NJ. Burns
and Howard E. Wright. He said he
knew the latter had never applied to
him for any financial assistance, and
he had good reason to believe that no
such application had been made to his
client, the Southern Pacific Company,
nor had any such financial assistance
ever been given Mr.. Wright, either by
himself or by his client.
Witness said that he had never is
sued any passes in favor of any mem
Der of the Assembly at the instance of
Mr.. Burns or any other person. He
then said: IF you are referring to the
tickets spoken about as having been
obtained for some friends of Assembly
man Merrill, l can briefly state all about
the matter, If required
Witness then told how Merrill came
into his office one day, and after in
Producing himself made a request for
two passes for some friends of his to
some Eastern point, probably Philadel-
phia. Witness said he informed Merrill
that this was against the law, and in
consequence thereof it was impossible
to grant his request Later witness re-
ceived note from Burns requesting
that two tickets be furnished to the
bearer Witness sent for the tickets
and delivered them as requested. Sub
sequently he met Burns, and the latter
paid him in full for the tickets. The
payment was made in greenbacks-a
hundred-dollar bill and $40 in other
bills. The tickets came to 1888, and
he returned the change to Burns.
Witness said that at one time Wright
had made application to him for a mile
age ticket, and he furnished it to him,
receiving the full monetary value
thereof He did not know that the
railroad company had given any con-
tributions this year toward any polit-
ical faction, unless as individuals. He
understood that Mr.. Croker gave
$500, and he himself had donated
$500 toward campaign expenses. He
had never stated to Spreckels or De
Young that Burns was the company's
candidate for United States Senator.
Witness said he had never given passes
in the interests of any Senatorial can
didate.
CHAIRMAN M'LAUGHLIN
Major Frank Mclaughlin, Chairman
of the Republican State Central Com
mittee, being sworn, said he could not
state the exact amount of money that
had been contributed for the benefit of
the party during the last campaign by
D. NJ Burns, but said Burns had been
liberal. as he had been in past years.
His contributions, the witness said,
were given for the purpose of assisting
in the election of the entire Republican
ticket, and not to be expended to fur
Their the Senatorial aspirations of any
one.
Mclaughlin said that having great
faith in Burns stalwart Republicanism,
his astute judgment of men, and his
political foresight. had often consulted
with him on matters which would, he
believed rebound to the party benefit.
Witness did not know of any instance
In which Burns had brought monetary
Influences to bear to further his per-