Los Angeles herald., 1905-01-31
EXCITEMENT IN CAPITAL
Scandal Is Gravest Since the "Waste
Basket" Episode in 1891

BY Associated Press.
SACRAMENTO, Jan. 30-The mem
bers of the legislature are in a state
of great excitement tonight as result
of the sensational charges of bribery
made against Senators T.. j. Emmons
of Kern. Eli Wright of Santa Clara,
and Harry Bunkers and Frank French
| of San Francisco. In the hotel lob
| bies and about the street corners.
groups of statesmen are eagerly dis
cussing the various phases of the case
and on all sides it is admitted that the
scandal Is the gravest that has occur
red in legislative circles since the fa-
nous waste basket episode of 1891.
| All the accused men staunchly deny
the allegations that have been made
against them, but even their friends
declare that they will have to do con-
siderable explaining. 1t is openly. ru
mored that warrants may be issued for
the arrest of the senators and the agent
who is accused of passing the money.
The special committee appointed this
afternoon to Investigate the charges
| llldut dBdIlOl Tic oClidlOlo, llGl tOlllSo III
in the supreme court chamber of the
capitol Senator Belshaw acted as
chairman of the committee and Sena-
tor Simpson of Alameda was appointed
to conduct the legal investigation. He
was assigned the duty of questioning
and calling on the witnesses.
Taking of Testimony Deferred
After considerable debate it was de-
cided to postpone the taking of testi-
mony until tomorrow evening at
o'clock in order to give the accused
senators time to employ attorneys if
they so desire. The postponement was
taken at the request of Attorney
Frank d. Nicol representing William
Corbin of the Continental Building and
Loan association, and Attorney L. j.
Copeland, who was present to repre-
sent Senator Emmons. Emmons was
result of the severe charges made
against him lies i'll in his rooms SEN
ators Wright, Bunker and French at
tended the meeting of the committee.
Senator Simpson called William Cor
as the first witness. Attorney Nicol
replied on his behalf and asked that
postponement be taken until tomor-
row night as the papers and state
ments in the possession of the Conti-
mental Building and Loan association
bearing on the sensational charges
made by Corbin were all in San Fran
cisco. When Nicol had concluded
Senator Wright addressed the commit
tee. He said;
while / have absolutely no fear OF
this investigation, still | realize that we
who have been accused are resting un-
der very dark cloud, These people
came here today cooked and primed -
make the gravest charges against us
on the floor of the senate and tonight
they are asking for more time before
proceeding to prove their allegations.
l do not think it justice to myself 10
delay this investigation longer than
need be- i am perfectly willing to 30
on trial before this fair and impartial
tribunal. l have no attorney here to
represent me and don't believe that the
other side should be allowed to have
attorneys represent them in this in
vestigatlon."
An affidavit carrying sensational
charges against four members of the
upper house was then filed by Attor-
ney Nicol The affidavit declared that
the whole purpose Of the investigation
: was the persecution of DR.. Washing
} ton Dodge. assessor of the city and
county OF San Francisco,
After discussing the appointment OF
the committee on commissions and re-
trenchments, the affidavit says:
Enumeration Of Charges
| THAT after the appointment OF said