The San Francisco call., 1905-01-13


power will henceforth be limited sole
~ to the initiative. with the referen-
dunn resting in the Senate, as it has
always presumably been, but has been
allowed to go by the breach. When the
Republican caucus convened this
morning the Senator's marched in with
lowering brows. 1t was apparent that
something was up, and 1T soon deVei-
oped into practically unanimous de-
termination to trim the Governor
wings and place the men he names for
public office at the mercy OF the sen
ate, which shall have the final word
as to their fitness and capability
The caucus was no sooner called TO
order than resolution was presented
expressing the sense of the Republican
members of the upper house that any
officials that may be appointed by the
chief executive of the State during the
present session of the Legislature snail
be submitted to the caucus for It's con-
firmation. 1t was decided that every
name submitted shall be subjected TO
the closest scrutiny, and the owner
thereof must not only be ut to hoid
public office in every sense OF the woro,
but must be entitled to consideration
at the hands of the party, his rlgnt 10
such consideration being based on MS
deeds, not his claims.
EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS.
But. it was pointed out the Governor
might dc as Governors had done Tor
time mmemorial-wait until the Leg
islature adjourned and then distribute
his patronage, leaving the confirmation
of his appointees to Senate commit
tee, the function of which was purely
formal and never intended to question
the wisdom of the Governors seiec-
tions. The result was that when the
Senate went into general session SEN
ator Ralston presented bill having as
it's purpose the amendment Of the pres
ent law relating to executive appoint
ments the proposed amendment being
as follows:
Vacancies occurring in office during the re-
cess of the Legislature, the appointment 70
which is vested in the governor ,atnart ana
made by the Governor. and the person so ap-
pointed shall hold office for the full term OF
his appointment, provided, hewever. tnat IN LII, .ls
case the Senate refuses or fails to confirm sucn
appointment at the session or the LegisIaasuIes
next succeeding. said Office shall upon tne nal
liately vacant and the said appointee shall not
be eligible to appointment for said vacancy.
without doubt this bill will be
passed. and from the hands OF the
Governor the larger portion of the pat
ronage that heretofore has been sup
posed to be solely his will practically
pass to the Senate. 1t is a shrewd
move on the part of the Solons, for,
while it is hardly probable that they
viii declare any of the Governors ap-
pointees unfit to enjoy a public trust,
it is quite probable that 1t will lead the
Governor to first discuss with the lead
ers of the upper house the merits OF the
claims of the small army that is wait
ing for the favors of the executive.
LOWERING OF LAKE LEVELS.
An important measure was presented
for the consideration of the upper
house by Coggins this morning. 1t pro-
vides for the granting of permission to
the Governor for the lowering of the
water levels of the Little klamath,
Rhett. Goose and Clear lakes in Siski-
YOU and Modoc counties, and the plac-
ing of the beds of the same at the dis
| posal of the Government to be utilized
in the water storage and reclamation
service.
Senator Woodward introduced Sc
ries of bills calling for appropriations
for the enlargement of the Home for
the Care and Training Of Feeble
Minded Children at Glen Ellen that, If
passed, will mean much toward assur-
| ing the increased comfort of the un-
fortunates whose minds have been
darkened by unkind fate. The bills
provide for the appropriation of $17,50Q
! for a building for fifty female epilep-
tics; $4,000 for a dormitory for thirty
male attendants; s17.50o for q cottage
for female patients: $4,000 for new roads
and fences; $4,000 for the completion of
the hospital and to erect three cottages
for cripples and paralytics; $4,000 for
| the completion Of the main building
and $500 for the construction Of q res
| ervoir to hold 100000 gallons and to
purchase fire appartus.
| A bill that will interest the members
of several OF the womens clubs of the
| State was introduced and referred to
the committee on fish and game. 1t
makes it misdemeanor punishable by
| fine or Imprisonment, or both, for kill
ing meadow larks at any time of the
year, except when such birds are killed
while destroying berries or fruits. The
meadow lark is California's singing
i bird, and to protect it from destruc-
| tion the women of the State have been
most active. 1t Is said, however, that
the farmers of the State will fight the
measure, contending that not only do
the meadow larks destroy much fruit,
! but that flock of them can strip a
/ grain field cleaner than million grass
| hoppers.
ARMS FOR SONS OF VETERANS.
/, In the form of resolution presented
] by Senator Savage the initial step to
arm the Sons of Veterans was taken
this morning. The resolution. after set
ting forth that the National Guard is
being re-armed with the Krag-Joreen-
sen rifles. states that the old National
Guard arm, the Springfield rife, Is
being stacked away in the armories
and is OF use to- no one. It provides
/ that action be taken to secure the re-
lease OF these arms from the Govern
ment for the use Of the Sons Of Vet
Grams. which in time will become a
4 valuable third line of defense.
Senator Keane OF San Francisco in
troduced bill to-day that recalled the
great railroad strike that occurred over
decade ago. 1t provides for the ap-
preparation of $4,000 for the relief of
| Lawrence J. Dunnigan, who as q men,