The San Francisco call., 1899-12-10

y ACRAMENTO, Dec. 9.--Assembly-
man H. w. Miller OF San Fran
cisco has been in Sacramento in the
interest of an extra session and the
election of Dan Burns as United
States Senator The Assemblyman did
not talk much on the outside, but he said
enough 10 make II known that the pur-
pose Of his visit was primarily in the in
terest Of Colonel Burns. The Call corre-
spondent Is informed that Miller carried
away the signature only of Assemblyman
Grove l.. Johnson 10 the agreement OF
caucus and that he failed TO secure the
names of Senator Doty and Assemblyman
w. ID. knights and Morris Brooke. In
deed. il is said that Doty, whose opposi-
tion TO Burns is well known, was not even
approached by the San Francisco AS
semblyman en- the subject of the extra
session. Miller. il is understood here.
claims TO have secured fifty-three or fifty
four signatures, although siXty-one are
needed. He gave il out, so The Call corre-
spondent is informed that while the Gov
ernor's call would contain references to
the San Francisco harbor situation and
the necessity for legislation along the
lines of the Vrooman act, the real pur-
pose of the call would be the election of
a United States Senator. An important
paper which Miller asks his fellowmem-
bers of the Legislature TO sign, in addi-
tion TO the request for a call, is an agree
ment TO adjourn at the request of Gov
ernor Gage.
1t is said that some of those who re-
fused 10 sign this clause did so because
they believed the Governor would eXer
else the privilege thus accorded him as
soon as Burns was elected and that no
other business would result from the scs-
sion. Some of those who declined TO sign
the agreement said they were not willing
TO let Governor Gage dictate TO them when
the proper hour should come for them to
dissolve, is they considered The leSlsia-
tors themselves were competent to deter
mine that. Miller gave assurances
while here that in the event of an extra
session the Burns men would be able to
count upon the support of Assemblyman
Crowley and Senators Feaney and Hall CT
San Francisco. who belonged TO the min
ority in the last session OF the Legisla-
ture.
Assemblyman W. D. Knights of this
city TO The Call correspondent tonight,
in speaking of the conversation he had
with Assemblyman Miller, said:
"Assemblyman Miller was here on Fri
day" said Mr.. Knights, "and he told me
that lie had sixty-two or sixty-three sig
natures to a caucus agreement. He want
ed me TO sign the agreement, but l re-
fused TO do so and told him that If there
was an extra session of the Legislature /
saw no other show for those opposed TO
Burns but TO go into caucus and fight IL
out there Though l refused to sign the
caucus agreement, yet feel that there
should be meeting of the Legislature
for the purpose of electing a Senator. If
Burns can obtain votes enough in the
caucus TO insure his election those op-
posed to him should join the caucus.
am as much opposed to Burns now as
ever, though l still believe that a Senator
should be elected, but Of course If those
opposed TO him do not concentrate his
election is likely. l do not think that the
Governor would call an extra session un-
less there was a caucus that would in
sure the election of Senator. will be
the Legislature conVenes, but / will not
sign a caucus agreement until il bears
hers of the Legislature-enough TO insure
the election of Senatorial the time il
is presented TO me for my signature. !
will not sign an agreement If II bears but
sixty-one, sixty-two or sixty-three sigma
lures.
Mr.. Knights concluded by saying that