The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-02-07


MENTO, Feb. 6.-Milton j. Green has
promised to do one of two things He
will either appear before the bar of the
Assembly tomorrow to be punished for
contempt for not answering the ques-
tions put to him by the investigating
committee, or he will send a written
statement setting forth the reasons
why. he has refused to answer the
questions and asking to be released
from the obligation of doing so. The
sporting members of the legislative
delegation. are betting ten to one to-
might that Green Will send a written
statement to the Assembly. Their rea-
sons for Offering odds on the statement
is that if Green appears in person he
will either have to answer the ques-
tions or go to jail. He will not answer
because by doing so he would prob
ably do an injury to his Senatorial
candidate. 1t is argued, therefore, that
he Will fall back on the written state
ment, hoping that it will gain for him
a delay of at least one day.
o.. The statement will set forth that
Green has refused to answer the ques-
tions put to him for the reason that by
doing so he would be betraying conf
dences; that the answers would not
tend TO convict any one of improper
acts or acts such as the Assembly
would be justly called upon to consider
and deal with; that though he spent
= money during the recent campaign in
many of the counties OF the State, such
money was spent in a legitimate man
ner and for the good of the whole ticket
and the Republican party; that this
money was distributed through gentle
men who have the good OF the party
at heart and who have no desire to be
known in the matter; that the relations
:. between Green and these gentlemen
were confidential for good and suffi-
cient reasons and should be held inVio-
late not because the expenditure of any
moneys given to them involved trans
actions that would be deemed in any
way reprehensibIe, but because they
Were confidential; that in view of these
facts Green asks that the Assembly alb
solve him of the charge Of contempt
and permit the questions to go unan-
iswered.
- Those who pretend to know say that
Green is merely sparring for time in
order to allow the Grant men to bring
forth the strength they boast of hav-
ing in reserve, but which cannot be
used until the end of the week His
ability to avert the inevitable seems
SDll4C lLdL 4OuDlluls Dul DIS lie has d.
ready made a wonderful record in this
respect he may be able to continue the
good work indefinitely. Reports from
the sick room say that Green is able
TO sit up tonight and is DESTROYS of
appearing before the Assembly in per
son if the state of his health will per
nit.
The committee of investigation may
be dissolved by action of the Assem-
bly,, but nevertheless there is a strong
sentiment in the Legislature against
bribery in any form. Scandal concern
ing the corrupt use Of money to infiu-
ence the election of Senator cannot
be suppressed by closing the investiga-
ton this time. The fact is cited to-
night that the managers of the San
Diego Bank have not testified The
books of that bank ought to show ap-
proXimately the amount of money
drawn out by Grant. as he testified
that the checks were drawn on that in
stitution.
Rumors are now in circulation to the
effect that the Grant managers are in
negotiation with two well-known poNt-
ical bosses of San Francisco. and that
# the investigate is now suppressed
bolder efforts than ever before prac-
ticed will be used to bring strength to
the Grant following. Grant is pre-
pairing TO make one more desperate eff
Tort 10 win the 0SnI. Inc OIner caH-
didates are not alarmed. but they are
appTehensive, as they cannot account
for the confidence in the Grant camp.
The tactics introduced in Alameda
County are to be extended to Santa
Clara County Obviously the present
purpose is to break into the camps of
Barnes and Bulla first and then go up
against Burns. Mr.. Bulla is confident
tonight that Senator Taylor of Ala
media cannot be swerved and General
Barnes is equally confident that Sena-
tor Stratton and Assemblyman Know
land will not yield to the pressure Of
the Alameda combine.
Indignant denials come from e a
Meserve and Judge j. W. McKinlay of
the story wired from this city to the
effect that they had asserted in Los
Angeles that Pulla had no chance of
being chosen Senator. The statement
is pronounced absolutely false in every
particular. Mr.. Meserve says tonight
that no such hint was thrown out at
Los Angeles by either himself or Judge
such a report gained circulation.
As Colonel Burns is practically out Of
the race. there IS considerable conjec-
tllre tonight as TO the course he will
pursue to defeat Grant. 1t is known
that his followers are anxious TO down
Grant. but Barnes standing as a candi-
date is so poor that he cannot get any
assistance in his effort to defeat the
Grant. Green. Brown and Perkins COM
L.