The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-06

Mr. Brooke refused to bind himself such agreement
and the interview closed but the contest still maintained
Later another agent Mr. Brooke and reopen
the negotiations This bribe introduced gain the
consent OF Brooke to the scheme Moreover the of the
Senatorial candidate whose behalf the Assembyman
sought disclosed Here is the substance of the second
tempt to influence vote by unlawful means:
'If you will agree to vote for Dan Burns for
United States Senator Johnston's contest will be
dismissed and you will be able to retain your seat
in the Assembly. If you do not consent to this
proposition you will be unseated Burns
trOiS the Assembly and can unSeat you by holding
up his finger Ii you vote for Burns and stay with
him to the finish you have place in the County
Clerks office after the adjournment or the Le2sia-
ture, and you nod this place aid receive good
salary every month for four years."
Then the representative of the railroad company related
that William Hamilton County Clerk of Sacramento County,
return for railroad support his election had promised
give J. B. Wright superintendent of the Southern Pacific
Company at Sacramento appointment in the County Clerks
office 1t explained that Mr. Wright still held the position
his disposal and he Brooke would for the of
Burns the United States Senate he could have the ceshp
the Legislature adjourned.
The field was therefore opened to Mr. Brooke for
Dan Burns and reward for his he would be allowed
retain his seat in the Assembly and would fall
ton with good salary when his legislative duties
He also face face with threats that if he did vote
for Burns he would forfeit his office Assembyman and get
nothing the outside
1t be said that the Asembynlan debated in his
mind whether yield the influence OF bribery and uccumb
the threats of intimidation but he fully coprehended he
very distressing position He desired to do right and
according the dictates of his conscience sense of
justice the people who elected him the Legislature Finally
he decided stand up for his rights but informed railroad
agents that he would take the into consideration
The crafty Cheers Of the railroad and Dan had another
play A day since who we'll known
around the Legislature and who very close Jack Wright
called the Assembyman aside and confidential whisper said:
DO you know that going lose your in the AS
semby? hear the inside that if you very careful
Johnston will be seated your place had better see some
of your friends at once"
When it suggested that ex-senator William Johnston
not in connected with the negotiations and could
be of what being by the railroad people the
statement made that directly from Mr. Tohn-
Mr. Brooke with the information the that the
would be dismissed if Asembyman Brooke would
agree for Dan Burns for Senator This phase of the
proceedings staggered the people who the secret
of the attempt of the railroad crowd They could hardly believe
that Johnston would advise Brooke line up with the crowd
for Burns but such the message that him and
with his that the would be dismissed Brooke
would fall into line.
In this affair the duty of the Assembly of the State of Cali
fona to be plain 1t bad enough for gves to
haunt the Capitol and barter for the purchase of is
still to threaten to members they refuse obey
the commands OF Herrin and the behind Burns.
Offers OF bribes hand threats ntimidate on the
other VIII the honest fearless Assembymen who were chosen
by free people to represent decent allow
band of railroad hrelngs invade the State Capitol and hold
up the members IN this fashion? Little time will be required to
develop all the facts in the AssembIman Brooke can
the who approached him with bribes threats
There should be IN the Legislature of firm and resote
purpose and punish the guilty agents of the corrupt
corporation. The penitenary yawning.