The record-union., 1899-01-17
INVESTIGATION
INSTITUTED.
Speaker Wrighfs Assailants
Must Prove Charges.
No Resultin the Senatorial Battle-Four Ballots
Yesterday-Senate Repeals the
Belshaw Act.

The storm center of legislative inter-
est yesterday was distinctly located in
the Assembly. That was evident be-
fore the gavel fell at 11:30 a. m.
The hour being later than the usual
one for convening, the San Francisco
Call" Examiner and Chronicle"
with their "follow-up stories" of yes
terday's lurid attack upon Speaker
Wright, had arrived and We're well dis
tributed throughout both houses. All
the members knew, from the Record
Union that Speaker Wright had de-
nounced the charges in Sundays Cali"
as false from beginning to end, and
had declared that they were manu-
faetured by the correspondents of that
paper.
The spirit of unrest did not break out
into any visible or audible demonstra.
ton, but that matters We're in the
strained condition which must pre-
sently come to an issue of speech every
one on the floor evidently felt. But il
people feared or looked for any sudden
outbreak, any counter denunciations
made in the heat of anger which should
fur rther fire the passions already
aroused they We're disappointed. How
ever strong might have been the indig-
nation, however great the temptation
to sef-defense or to assertion of inno-
cence. it was held in check and a be-
coming dignity characterised proceed
ings which may be the initiative Of
grave results.
THE SPEAKER SPEAKS.
Speaker pro TEN Anderson was called
to the chair almost at once and the gall
leries, Hobbies and spare seats in the
Assembly floor showed more than the
usual number Of visitors for rainy
morning.
The Chaplain's prayer for wisdom
to see and courage to do the things
which are right" doubtless found an
echo IN many hearts and intellects. but
there were those who. also without
uouol, Aao lung dSo 1oSt GA use u
such wisdom and whose courage. at
about the same period, had suffered
change into nerve"
Before the regular order Of business
ing on the floor of the house very near
his old place, where, during the thirty
second session, he arose so often in
the interest of wise legislation. Very
briefly and quietly he stated to the
House that charges had been made
against his honor, which, in his posi-
tion as Speaker, impugned also the
honor of the Assembly, and he asked
for thorough investigation by q COM
mittee to be appointed by the Speaker
pro tenn. Speaker Wright's exact
words are given in the days proceed
ings In another column
JOHNSON'S RESOLUTION.
In Offering his resolution embodying
the Speakers request. Grove L. John
son was more than usually calm and.
dispassionate, though not less than
usually earnest and determined. His
well-known and undisputed power Of
invective and vituperation was held
well in check and his speech, which re-
ceived the assent of the whole House.
will be read with interest in its place
in the proceedings.
Johnson's resolution was unanimously
adopted.
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
When 1t came to serving ON the COM
mittee-that was different. Four out
OF the seven members appointed by
Speaker pro tenn. Anderson tried to beg
of. Mead did not want to serve, nei-
tier did La Baree; Mellick, in his own
inimitable fashion, frankly admitted
that he had a Senator of his own that
he wanted to elect, and did not care to
arfagontze his colleagues, as he inev-
itably would II he went to investigating.
Wade was just awfully busy-a member
Of another half-dozen committees-in
fact, things began to look uncommonly
like that well-remembered dinner party
in sacred history where the host had
to go out into the highways and hedges
to get his guests.
But Dibble made little motion that
no one should be excused. It was
carried and so ordered, and, now that
there is ful1-fledged Investigation
Committee In operation, old members
begin to feel at home, and the daily
Senatorial contest VIII have q rival
show to play against
The first meeting Of the committee,
Of which an account is given below.
was held 5 p. m. yesterday. and ad-
sournment was taken until 2:3O p. m
to-day.
SENATORIAL.
There was no rift in the Senatorial