The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-20
SENATE PROCEEDINGS
IN THEIR DETAIL

CALL HEADQUARTERS, SACRA-
MENTO, Jan. 19.-The Senate this morn
ing was in the charter approving bust
ness. In addition to approving the San
Francisco charter a similar instrument
for the city of Vallejo was ratified.
Then Senator Boyce of Santa Barbara
had an inning with his resolution to make
it contempt of the Senate for newspa-
per representative to endeavor to ascer-
tain the views of Senators on measures
pending before the Legislature during
Senatorial session or on the floor of the
Senate at any time.
Senator BoyCes first endeavor was to
secure an executive session, but he could
not. Senator Smith wanted reporters ex-
Guided only while the resolution was I'M
der discussion.
Senators Shortridge and Bulla vigorous
ly opposed the motion for any executive
session, They both were of the opinion
that if the resolution was adopted the
public should know the reason the Sena-
tors gave for its adoption.
Senator Boyce, noting the <act that his
motion for an executive session was
doomed to defeat, withdrew it.
He then proceeded to make his speech
in advocacy of the adoption of the reso-
luton. He took a stand against yellow
Journalism and what he was pleased to
term the effort of the newspapers to run
the Legislature by buttonholing members
and attempting to ascertain in advance
how they intended to vote on pending
bills. By this means he thought newspa-
pers endeavored to commit Senators on
legislative matters before they had had
due and proper time to consider them.
Senator Braunhart took a stand in IA
Vor OF giving the press every facility to
obtain information which it sought and
he was opposed to the Boyce resolution
He had himself been the victim of bitter
abuse at the hands of the newspapers,
but he was a great believer in the prin-
cipIe of the freedom of the press
Senator Davis stated that he could see
no need for the passage of any such res
| ftan
had not abused it's privileges. When il
old then was the time to act.
senator Bulla proposed two amendments
TO the resolution which had the effect of
striking out all reference to newspaper
employees, managers or proprietors. The
resolution would then exclude all parties
said Senat tor Bula. 1T is really the lob
byists who bore US most"
Senator Doty of Sacramento vigorously
opposed both the resolution and amend
ments. Said he:
Il am always willing that my constitu-
ents here in Sacramento shall come to me
they wish me to do, or what l am going
TO do. l respect the press, and some Of
the Senators are altogether too 'touchy'
about these matters. 1 have no reason
to complain of the press of Sacramento
County, and | do not believe any Senator,
as as Ion long as he is in the right has any
to do right"
oeIdlOT Davis favored Senator Bulla'
amendments, as they would take away
any offense to the press. and would pro-
tect Senators from lobbyists.
Senator Simpson thought that the press
had been allowed altogether too much
freedom, At one time the Legislature had
been referred to by the press the
luton.
Senator Morehouse, in speaking on the
resolution, In substance said: Anybody
can ask me at any time now ! intend to
vote on any bill. / will answer him Or
not, as see fit. But do not think any
body should be permitted to, interfere
with sessions of the Senate. The news
papers cannot hurt me, and l have no
Ill feeling against any newspaper and only
against one newspaper man. 1 think
law of murder, so that l could be per-
mitted to kill this man, and it would be
only justifiable homicide l refer to the
managing editor of the Examiner He is
unfit to live.
Senator, Shortridge took strong stand
against the resolution.
The hour of noon having arrived the
further consideration of the resolution
went over. First, however. Senator
Bulla's amendments were adopted.
Abolition of the Blacklist.
CALL HEADQUARTERS SACRA-
MENTO, Jan. 19.-The bill introduced by
Assemblyman Sanford of Mendocno
County, which has for its object the abo-
iition of the blacklist among employers,
sembly Committee on Labor. Mr.. San
fords bill makes it illegal for any en-
ployer either individual or corporation,
to blacklist any of his employees, and pre-
scribes a heavy penalty for a violation of
the law. 1t is drawn along the same
lines as the Utah law, which has, by the
Supreme Court of the United States, been
declared constitutional. Mr. Sanford was
requested by the officers of number of
labor unions, particularly unions of rail-
road employees, to introduce this measure
nA1aoN~ e. ii.
action upon it in both branches of the
Legislature. AS he is a hard working
member has had the benefit of previous
experience In the Legislature and is a
good talker the bill has excellent pros
poets before it to pass both Assembly
and Senate,
Confirmed by the Senate.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 19.-The Senate
confirmed these nominations: Joseph H.
Choate, New York. ambassador to Great
- u