The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 26, 1896, Page 13

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1896 18 e e e e e b R s e i e e s e Interesting Report of Important Up-to-Date News Items in Alameda County PREPARING A WELCOME, Haywards Extends Glad Hand to the Y.L All the ANOTHER GOLD BRICK FRAUD. Mrs. Harmon Gets the Larger Part of the Old Doctor’s Prop- erty. OaxLAND OFFICE SAx FrANCISCO Cary,) 908 Broadway, Feb. 25 All classes of citizens have taken in hand e matter of preparing for the State Coun- of the Young Men’s Institute that con- venes in Haywards in May. A mass-meeting of citizens was held last 'd much enthusiasm was shown. ie people realize that it will be a splen- did opportunity to let the delegates know what a flourishing county seat Haywards would make, and they intend to take ad- vantage of it to the fullest extent. It is willingly conceded that it is the duty of all to see that Haywardsupholds her char- acter of hospitality J. E. Crooks, the banker, has assumed the chair p of the finance commit- tee, and a worthier choice could not have been made. In addition to the various ready published the follow- were added to the executive ci Y- ittees a entertainment committees at- Jast : meeting: A. Dekamp, James ¢ R. Reed,” M. Curvin, John Geary, 8. Simon, George Qakes, George an, W. J. Rama; F. R. Lemos, am Pimental, A, V. Morgan, Dr. A. J. Powell, H. Turner, T. F. Gra At the meeting $850 was promised asa ta nd as the total amount needed is 00 no difficulty wiil be anticipated the remainder when the canvass- committee gets to work. “We are meeting with support on all bands,” said F. Hasson, chairman of ihe executive committee to-night. *“We | have been most agreeably surprisec at the manner in which everybody is starting in to make the State meeting a success. 1 am sure we shall be able to_ eclipse the | entertainment provided by Vallejo last | year.” A SECOND SCHEME. The Worthless Gold-Brick Man's Ef- forts to Work E. H. Gale. OAKLAND, CaL., Feb. 2 of Napa arrived in town shortly before noon to-day, and went to the City Hall, where he was shown E. Thompson, al les Gordon, alias Addison Mills, the gold-brick swindler. He identified the many named man as the fellow who se- cured an advance of $5000 from him on a gold brick in this city three years ago. He e swore to a complaint, alleging that efendant had been out of the State ce the offense was committed, for which eason the statute of limitation does not —M. G. Richie | the late W. W. Blow was filed for probate to-day. It wasdated August 19, 1838, with a‘codxgll dated January 22, 1894. The estate is devised to the widow, Mary A. Blow, who is named as executrix. it is valued at $27,000, and consists of $1200 Worih of personal effects, including money in bank, boathouse and boats, horse, car- Y}ggCS, ete., and real estate valued at =The testator made no_special provision for his children, Alfred H. Blow and Mary . Blow, because they are already amply vrovided for by bequests from their grand- father, “and,” he adds, “I know that their mother will do all thatis necessary and proper for their maintenance and sup- vort.” Aided a Criminal. OAKLAND, Car., Feb. 25.—Louis Lenze, ?rupriewr of the Halfway House, a San «andro road resort near Seminary ave- Due, is in the County Jail with two charges of felony registered against him. The offense is his refusal to allow Constable | Weldon to search his house for John | Greenbank, who took refuge on the place last Friday after he had held up J. C. Sny- der and W. H. Hamilton. A further search for the stolen property resulted in finding $15 in money, & pair of gloves and a revolver. The latter was found under the head of ILenze's bed. Judge Lawrence beld him in $500 bail for examination on charges of receiva stolen property and concealing a criminal. Ready for Another Year. § OAKLAND, CaL., Feb. 25.—The annual meeting of the California Improvement Company was held this morning, when the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: W. M. Rank, president; A. H. Clough, vice-president; T. F. Scanlan, secretary. The California Railway Company, better known as the Laundry Farm road, held its annual meeting immediately after, as its stockholders are about the same. The old officers were re-elected as follows: E. 8. Denison, president; A. H. Clough, vice- president; W. M. Rank, secretary and general manager. Breach of Promise Case. OAKLAND, CaL., Feb. —The breach of promise suit of Miss Carrie Lockyear, the pretty Berkeley belle, and Major John F. Hayes of National Guard fame, com- menced nearly a year ago, came up in Judge Ogden’s court to-day, but the at- torneys on both sides seemed to court de- lay, and by consent the case was contin- ued until May i9. The delay, it is said, is due to efforts that are being made to settle the trouble between the couple out of court so as to avoid any further scandal. Corral Hollow Venture. OAKLAND, Car., Feb. 25.—The Corral Hollow mine-owners have arranged with the Pacific Transmission Co establish an electric plant of power_to furnish_light and power to Oak- Jand, San Jose, Livermore, Stockton and intermediate points. The electricity is to be generated from the waste coal which would not pay to ship from the mines. The corporation has a capital of §1,000,000, of which the coal company holds 75 per cent of the shares for fuel supplied and site furnished. Steadily Running Behind. OAKLAND, CaL., Feb. 25.—J. C. John- son, receiver of the East Oakland Street plication to the Superior Court for per | sion to borrow $15,000 on receiver’s certifi- | cates of $500 at 7 per cent interest per annum. He sets forth in bhis petition that from the date he w 28, 1894, to February 1, 1896, the receipts have been $99,93409 and the disburse- ments $112,744 54. He has previously bor- Edward H. Gale, residing at 1574 Eighth a ue, reported to the police to-day that almost the 1d cal scheme was atterupted on him recently segcing the prisoner | he was confident he man who es to him. The old n tory of a rich mine in Arizona, an Indian old friend ready to aivide. etc., | was worked upon Mr. Richie when | e was take to Piedmont three years ago | and given a $22,000 gold brick as security 1 for a loan of $5000, the brick being founda later to be absolutely worthless. MAY YET BE RICH. The Church Family Told of a Possible Fortune. OAKLAND, CaL., Feb. 2 District Attorney Lincoln S. Church, Su- | pervisor W. H. Church and ex-County Recorder Rod W. Church are deeply terested 1n the New York story regarding | the alleged $40,000,000 estate of Jasper Cronkheit, who eame from Holland and | settled in that city in early days. The mother of these officials was a Cronkheit and they are wondering what share of the great fortune will fall to them when it is distributed. According to-the story told here Jasper Cronkheit with two brothers settled in New York in 1750, but later he returned to | his native land and amassed a fortune in the gin business. In his old age he be- came lonesome and wrote his brothers to come home, but they refu He then made a will directing that his weaith | should be held bv the Bank of Holland 1 April 6, 1896, when it was to be dis- | ated to the heirs of the Cronkheits then living. The heirs from the United States so far heard of number thirty-one. | —Chief Deputy THE TIDAL CANAL. California Legislators Deplore the Effect of Controversy. OAKLAND, CAL., Feb. 25.—President M. | J. Keller of the Board of Trade, who left for an Eastern tour last night, received letters from Senator George C. Perkins aad Congressman Hilborn in regard to the memorials sent to Washington regarding the Oakland harbor improvements. Both say it would be unfortunate if any conten- | tion should arise between Oakiand and Alameda, because at best it is going to be hard to get an appropriation, and it might be made impossible if the two cities should quarrel over the method of spending the money. The Senator and Congressman agree in recommending harmonious work for an appropriation, leaving the method of expenditure to be decided entirely by the United States engineer in charge, TO BE EXAMINED TO-MORROW, Wilmore Arraigned on Eight Charges of Burglary. OAKLAND, Car., Feb. Mrs. Ella Wilmore, mother of Bert Wilmore, await- ing trial for a number of burglaries, was arraigned in the Police Court this morn- ing on the charge of receiving stolen goods, She was represented by W. H. O’Brien, who requested an early hearing. The examination was set for to-morrow ¢ Wed- nesday) afternoon at 1 o’clock. The complaint is sworn to by Sergeant Hodgkins of the police force and alleges Mrs. Wilmore received §17 of the money which her son and Abe Majors stole when they robbed W. C. Mason’s candy-store in Berkelev, knowing it was stolen. The court fixed bail at $2000. The original charge of burglary placed against her was dismissed. S COMPROMISE, Mrs. TH HARMOX The Wife Gets Half the Money, the Houge and the Child. OAKLAND, CaL., Feb. 25.—The family diffieulties of Dr. and Mrs. Louis C. Har- mon were settled this afternoon, when Judee ¥rick granted Mrs. Frances E. Har- mon a divorce on the ground of crueity, $12,000 cash uind the San Leandro prop- erty deeded to her five years ago by her husband. She had to pay the fees and cost of litigation, amnounting to $1225. She was awarded the custody of the minor charge, but the doctor was given permis- sion to see the child once a week without interference from any of Mrs. Harmon’'s family. The criminal charge against Dr, Harmon will be dismissed upon consent of the District Attorney. Commodore Blow’s Will. QAKLAND, Cav., Feb. 25,—The will of | Ellsworth from rowed $21,000. The Macdonough. OAKLAND, CaL., Feb. 25.—“I1 Trova- tore” will be presented by the Tavary Company to-morrow night, with Guille, Tavary and Eugene in the cast. There be a matines Thursday, at popular prices. The “Bohemian Girl” will be pre- sented. *‘Carmen” for Thursday evening, | with Thea Dorre in the title role. A. M. Palmer’s “Triloy” Company will | appear next Wednesday afternoon and evening in two performances. Quit the Express Busine OAKLAND, Carn. Feb. 25.—The Oak- land, San Leandroand Haywards Electric road will abandon its present express system between this city and the towns along its route on March 1. The wagons are being sold and the company will con- fine itself strictly to carrying passengers and mail. HISTORY OF A DAY. Alameda County Happenings Told in Brief Chapters. OAELAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO ('ALL,( 908 Broadway, Feb, i The police have not yet located William Andrews and Reisart, the two prisoners who eal has been filed in escaped Friday night. An undertaking on app ; the matter of the Anna L. Murphy estate, with Adam Grant and H. L. Whipple as sureties, Harry Miller was taken from the County Jail to-day to his home, 328 Boulevard avenue. He bas about recovered from his atiack of dementia. Henry Wilkinson, sentenced to fifteen years and Joseph Silva to five years, were taken to Folsom Penitentiary to-day by Deputy Sheriff Charles White. <. J. Thomas, the colored lad who was con- victed of an Alameda burglary, but granted a ! new trial, will be brought over from San Quentin to-morrow. Another. charge has been' placed against Andrew de Sautos, who is alleged to have been guilty of gross immoralities with the little Petranek girls at Alameda. Anna K. Field was taken to Napa Insane Asylum_vesterday by Deputy Sheriff Will Lane. She was committed yesterday by Judge Lorin. Shc had been an in- mate of Agnews asylum before. Albert Menzenmeyer was neld to answer in bali of $5000 by Justice Morris of Alameda to- day on a charge of assault to commit murder. | John R. Perkins, who was shot by Menzen- meyer, was present, and testified. Jacob Bueh, the founder of the Gospel Army, was released to-dey. Judge Wood heard the charges preferred by the Salvationists that Buch had_obtained money by representing himself to be a member of that organization. Antone de Santos, who was arrested fn Ala- meda on charges of felonious assault of young girls, deeded his property at Santa Clara ave- nue and Bay street t0-day {o R. B. Tappan, the attorney, for & named consideration of £500. A motion to strike out the complaint in the case of Hutton vs. the Southern Pacific Rail- rond Company because the plaintiff would not submit to & physical examination during the taking of his deposition was denied to-day by Judge Ellsworth. A dispateh from Chicago says Rev. R. F. Ppr- Ke evangelist, died last night from the s of injuries received in a reilroad acci- dent nine years ago. Ha lived several y on the Pacific Colsl,nccurying ulpits at ramento, Oaklend and Vallejo, Cal. The owners of dogs in West Oakland are at present in & state of disquietude. The cause of their unpleasant predicament is due to the presence of azgang of dog-poisoners, who during the past week or €0 have brought to an end the lives of nearly thirty canines. Au investization in relation to a piece of proverty on Buens Vists avenue and Chopin street, Alamede, disclosed the fact that a judge had by some oversight tailed to sign a decree entered November 8, 1894, quleting title, so that the record of the decree was of no effect. The railroad company is tearing down the old depot at Alameda Point, where the passen- gers used to take the boats of the narrow- yauge line before the pler was built, It has been unused for ten years, and now the ma- terial is 1o be used for other station buildings, Paul 8. Miguel, sometimes known as_Migel, has filed a petition in insolvency. He has been engageg in & general tobacco and mer- chandising business in Alameda and San Ber- nerdino_counties. The Insolvent's liabilities are $1870 08. His assets amount to $959 50 and $100 exempt. Theodore F. Painter of Alameda has filed a etition seeking to have J. M. Painter, oldest Emther of Josephus Painter, appoinied guard- an of the last naed becanse oif bis age and physical and mental infirmities. The petition recites that Josephus is G5 years old, is blind and is mentelly incompetent to handle his business affairs. The Oakland Water Company has let the contract for the construction of their new res- ervoir on New Broadway. M. Schmidt has the job of excavation and work will be com- menced at once. J. S. Jackson of San Fren- cisco has the contract for lining the reservoir with asphbaltum concrete, which is & great fm- pro;ement on the cemen used. ars Sac. screenings and | Railroad Company, has presented an ap- | s made receiver, April | WILL B NO SURRENDER Many Grand Army Men Now Express Sympathy With Lyon Post. OPINIONS OF DIRECTOR BLINN. Governor Budd Is Not Sure That He Has the Power to Make Changes. OaxrAND Orrice SAN Fraxcisco CALI,,} 908 Broadway, Feb. 25. The charges made against the Yountville Home by Lyons Post of Oakland will be 1n- investigated by Governor Budd. “I have been notified,” said the Gover- nor, “of the charges made by Lyon Post of Oakland, but I do not wish to say before- hand what I sball do in the matter, save to say that I shali inquire into them. I do not know that I have full authority in the matter. The home is not a State institu- tion in the same sense that other institu- tions belong to the State.” The interest in the dispute has now be- come general. Two letters were received by members of Lyon Post to-day from in- mates of the home. Both of the writers complain of the fact that old men are required to work, and one says that there is a difficulty in procuring clothing, especially trousers and coats, and that there is a lack of proper food. The writer of the other letter speaks in the highest terms of the management of General Thompson, and says that the reason he was aischarged was that he insisted upon strict business principles in the manage- ment of the home, and that there was no for rcbates in the purchase of D A complaint is also made against the physician. General Thompson received the follow- ing letter from a member of George H. Thomas Post cf San Francisco to-day : SAN Fraxcisco, February 24, 1896. | General 1. W. C. Thompson—DEAR SIR | CoMravE: T have read the interview of Tn | CaLL reporter with Blinn and also your repl Referring to whut you say of Currierand Blins | I wish to inform you thet thereare not twenty | five members in” George H.Thomas Post who believe either Currier or Blinn would be in the directorate of the Yountviile Home if they | could not wet something out of it. Neither | has ever ‘devoted forty-eight hours to Grand work unless they drew pay for their services. Blinn is a parasite. If the truth could be brought out he has ridden the post l1ke a bar- { nacle’ almost from the night of his muster. You do not realize how distesteful he is to its membership. For onel am disgusted at his contemptible conduct, knowing or believing utterly out ot place in the director- he Yountville Hoe, and tnat his ailu- { sions to yourseli are prompted solely by a desire 10 avert attention from his record. Iam D home has been excellent, and that he sees no 200d reason why your resignation should have | been nsked, but that he felt it had to come to cnable a ring to supply a pliable character tor the place. Thomas Post understands these two indi- but prefers to let things remain for the present’ rather than force an issue. I think you have the approval of a majority of G. A. R. members. Yours truly. — In the last annnal report mention is made of all the improvements carried out during General Thompson's last year of of- fice. The report concludes: The home has now more members than ever before, the men are all well clothed, quartered and fed, and are beiter behaved, more con- tented 'and healthier than at any previous time. More permanent improvements have been made and larger crops produced this year by previous year. “The matters that Director Blinn refers to are all capable of proof,” said General Thompson to-day, “and I am glad the Governor has taken the matter in hand. *“The report shows how I conducted the home, ard I want every one to know that this is not a personal fight of mine. the expression of the opinions of more G. A. R. men than the directors are aware of.” TROUBLE FOR SANTOS, Another Little Girl Swears to a Complaint Against Him. A Railway and Ferry Landmark Be- ing Removed—Police Court Notes. ALAMEDA, CaL, Feb, 25.—Another charge has been entered against Andrew de Santos, who is already confined in the city jail under a charge of felonious as- sault, the complaining witness to which is a girl by the name of Petravek, now 14 years of age, who claims that the offense was committed two years ago. The complainant in the second case is Paulina Marjrick, a girl 11 years old, who is a cousin of the Petraveks. The case is an unusual one, the alleged offensecs having been committed soiongago. The true inwardness of the same is impossible to make out. De Santos has transferred his homestead on Bay street to his attor- ney. e Dividing the Businesd, ALAMEDA. Car., Feb. 25.—Time out of mind there have been hard feelings and uarrels between the two Justices of the Do it Alinena i A anor tis ago Justice Swasey sent a serious complaint to the Municipal Board, to the effect that there was a conspiracy among the police to give all the business to Justice Morris, The board directea that the magistrates be treated exactly alike. The! board fur- ther considered the matter Monday night, having Marshal Rogers beiore them, and the result of 1t will be the posting ofa notice by which the police will be ordered to divide legal business equally between the two courts. Landmark Passing, ALAMEDA, Car., Feb. 25.— Another landmark is to disappear. The old land- ing place of the narrow-gauge ferry line at Alameda Point is being torn down. When the line was first opened in 1878 and for five or six years afterward all the traffic was transferred from ferry-boat to car at this landing, which necessitated a much longer water trip up the narrow creek, and consequently increased the time of the trip between Alameda and San Francisco. Finally, the railway tracks were extended ont to the mouth of the creek, making the ferry run_about the same as on the broad gauge. The big buildings and sheds have remained ever since without heing put to any use. Now they will be removed. The freight transfer is still: maintained at this point, but that service does not necessitate the big buildings that were erected for the accommodation of passengers. A Summons Brings Response.: ALAMEDA, Car., Feb. 25.—Charles Keller, who is trying to get a divorce from his w‘fe, having obtained legal service by publication in the absence of knowledge of her whereabouts, has heard irom her. The publicity given the case attracted her attention, and she has retaihed an attor- t lining gemerslly [ DeY to contest the case. This attorney Das complained, on behalf of his client, of told by a director that your conduct of the | for, for the money appropriated, than any | It is | the publicity that the case has attained. Keller had not before for three years heard of Mrs. Keller's whereabouts. Penso-Pettes Marriage. ALAMEDA, Car, Feb. 25 — Joseph Penso and Miss Maud Pettes were married in San Francisco last Friday night by Rev. Jonn Hemphill. The young people are well known 1n Alameda, and the marriage is something of a surprise. e A NEW RAILROAD. The Oakland and Livermore Company Files Its Articles. OAKLAND, Cav., Feb. 25.—The Oak- land and Livermore Valley road filed arti- cles of incorporation to-day. The incor- porators are: E. P. Vandercook, George D. Metealf, H. H. Pitcher, A.D. Wilson and Rod W. Church. The capital stock is $3,000,000, divided into 300,000 shares at $10 each. The stock actually subscribed is $45,000, divided as follows: I. P. Vander- cook, 43,000 shares; G. D. Metecalf, 50 shares; A. D. Wiison, 50 shares; H. H. Pitcher, 50 shares; Rod W. Church, 50 shares. The purposes for which this corporation isformed are to build and operate a standard or narrowfgauge railroad, to be operated by electricity, cableor steam; to construct, purchase and operate telegraph and tele- phone lines in connection with said road; to build, charter, own and operate steam ferry-boats and sailing vessels. The intention of the incorporators is to build a line beginning near the limits of this city on the east,and then running easterly and southerly by the most con- venient, feasible and obtainable route in the county of Alameda to a point at or near the town of Livermore in said county of Alameda, thence in a southerly direc- tion to the houndary line between the countiesof Alameda and San Joaquin, with immediate branches to such towns or vil- lages adjacent to said route as may be deemed advisable by the corporation. The total length of the road as estimated is forty-five miles. The vrinci%ul place of business of the company wili be Oakland. WANT TWO-YEAR TERMS, It Is Declared That the Supreme Court Has Again Decided the Point, The Only Hope of Restoring Confi- dence Is by an Election in November. 0AKTAND OFFICE SAN FrANCISCO C.\LL,% 908 Broadway, Feb. 25. { The opinion published in TrHE CALL a few days ago, which it was claimed defin- itely declared against four-year terms for county officers and the opinion rendered to-day regarding the primary election law, | are accepted by lawyers as conclusive that the Supreme Court will declare in favor of two-year terms when the matter is placed before them. . The language of the opinlon is exactly the same in both cases. It declares that | legislation in favor of any particular class of counties is ‘‘special and local” and therefore unconstitutional. The court also says that although only one be affected by an act it is still invalid. This seems to be | particularly applicable to the four-year | clause as it affects every county but Fresno. County Cleri Jordan szys he feels secure | fora four-year term. There has been no case yet before the Supreme Court where the issues are definite on the question. In conversation to-day Mr. Jordan said: ““I'here is only one case where the matter is involved and that isin a Fresno case which has not yet reached the highest court. When this can get to the Supreme Court the issue will be raised. So faras I am personally concerned I feel that the people of this county elected me to serve four years and { went into office with that understanding.” The idea that the four-year term has| been knocked out is received with general | favor in this county. There have been so many scandals connected with some of the oflices that the only way to create a feeling of security is to test the question of the | incnmbents’ fitness by letting them go again before the vote PALO IS DEAD. He Was the Mascot of Haywards’ Footbailers. HAYWARDS, Car., Feb. 25.—The dog- poisoner has appeared 11 Haywards and | all the town would like to meet him. The | last evidence of his work was the poison- ing of Palo. Palo was the mascot of the Haywards football teum and is credited with being one of the luckiest ones ever carried on a gridiron. In all the matches with Centerville, Decoto and Niles Palo has been the presiding genius and his presence has inspired the kickers with sui- ticient courage to enable them to win with 5. and there was mourmng in the land, was a general favorite with all who knew him and he was acquainted with every- He body. An autopey was held and Palo's stomach coutained a mixture of drugs any one of which would bhave quenched the vital spark. When Palo again mascots the Hay- wards football team he will be stuffed with stuaw and wire and the betting is even as to whether a living or a dead mascot ex- ercises most influence for goals and points. THREE WEEKS MARRIED, M. E. Oliver Separated From His Wife by His Mother- in-Law. She Drove Him Out of the House and Kept Possession of His Clothes and Tools., M. E. Oliver, a grainer, is experiencing the baneful effects of a mother-in-law’s in- terference in his domestic affairs. Heis now without his young wife and s clothes and toolg, and he has asked the help of the police to secure the latter, He has been living in the house of Mrs. Brady, 143 Minna street, and won the af- fections of her daughter Rosie, They agreed to get married secretly, and ac- cordingly on February 3 Oliver procured a marriage license and they were made man and wife by Rev.J. Fuendling, Oliver is 35 _vizgara of age, and he gave Rosie’s age as’19. Mrs. Brady remained in ignorance of the marriage till a few days ago. Then she opened out upon Oliver for daring to marry Rosie, who is only 17 years of age, and he a divorced man. She insisted that he take immediate steps to annul the marriage and pay the necessary expenses. Oliver de- murred to the whole proposition, but finally consented to the annulment of the marriage, declining, however, to bear the cost, Mrs. Brady drove him out of the house without giving him time to remove his clothes and tools. He went back on Mon- day and attempted to recover them, but without success. Yesterday morning he procured a search warrant in Judge Jo- achimsen’s court and was able to glsLn pos- session of his eftects. But he is still with. 1 out his youshfui bride. LEACH REFUSES T0 TALK, Governor Budd Invites the Jour- nalistic Director to Criticize, THE INVITATION ACCEPTED. The 01d Official Will Not Say Whether or Not He Will Resign His Position. OARLAND OFFicE SAN Fraxcisco CAry,) 908 Broadway, Feb. 25, | The interest in the Blind Home director- ate now centers about Frank A. Leach of this city, the only remaining director not removed by Governor Budd. It was re- ported last night that Mr. Leach had de- cided to resign. When asked abont it to- night, Director Leach said he could not affirm or deny the statement. “I do not think it proper for me to say anything about the affairs of the home,”’ he said, “and I decline absolutely to say anything about Colonel Irish, Governor Budd or any one else.” Governor Budd was asked this afternoon as to whether or not he would dispense with the services of Mr. Leach. He re- plied: “Mr. Leach tendered his resignation either during the latter portion of Mr. Markham's term or the earlier portion of mine, and I asked him to withdraw it. He isa Republican, but I will be pleased to have him on the board if he desires to remain. He is the editor of a Republican newspaper and if crooked in the management of the insti- tution he will have the opportunity of ob- serving and publishing it to the world. 1 shall be pleased to have his eriticism of the institution as it goes along. There1s | nothing to conceal.” Director Leach evidently “pleases” to criticize, and although he refused to ex- press a verbal opinion his newspaper to- night contained the following editorial : The worst thing about the recent change in the superintendency of the Industrial Home ‘for the Adult Blind is the humbug with which it is sought to cover it up. Superintendent San- ders was put out and Superintendent Hays put in because it was a supposcd ecessity to Tnd aplace for Hays, and the manly thing would have been to s publicly. In private con- versations which preceded the recent overturn there seems to have heen no concealment of the real:purpose. While talking confidentially none of the powers that be thought it neces- sary to call a spade anything bt a spade, and it would have been to their credit if they had displayed the same candor in their public com- munications. There isa worse offense in pub- lic officials than spoils politics, and its name is humbug. To go before the people with a pre- tense that a certain movement is for reform, when it is intended primarily for Someboly’s private advantage,is e falsehood. To assign one reason in private and another in public for a given act is hypoerisy and cowardice, compared with which the frauk avowal of spoils principles by a political boss is almost respectable. S And yet, what Colonel Irish calls the ‘‘pot- | housing’ of the Home for the Adult Blind is deplorable enough in itself. It is the culmi- nation ot efforts which have been in progress through several administrations of the State Government, but have never succeeded ur now. The home has been conducted as a bi ness establishment wouid be, ignoring polit officials have neither been put out or putin | d because they belonged to one party or the other; Republicans have voted to retain Demo- cratic oflice-holders, and vice versa. All the while the politicians have resented this man- ner of running the home, and from time to time they have made desperate grabs to get control. They were rebuffed rep.eatedly, but at last they have succeeded, and the pity of itis that thev should have succeeded through a board of directors whose new members are all reputable gentlemen. The poliey of the 1nsti- tution has been reversed, and in the long run the change cannot fail to be for the worse. Superintendent Jack Hays was seen to- night. He would only say he had not seen Colonel Irish since the latter returned from Washington, except at one board meeting, and at that time.the colonel and the superintendent did not exchange a single word. DR, LE CONTE'S BIRTHAY The Patriarch of Geology at the University Is Seventy- Three. He Brings Out a New Edition of His “Elements” — Liquor Cases. Town Trustees. BERKELEY, Car., Feb. 25.—Dr. Joseph le Conte, the venerable patriarch of the geological science at the University of Cal- Joseph Le Conte. [Drawn from a photograph.] ifornia, will celebrate his seventy-third birthday to-morrow. To commemorate the day of his birth he will give his usual lecture to the geology section at 11:15 A. ». This lecture will be another link added to the unbroken chain of . addresses he has given to his clasces for the past seven years, it being a fact that he has not missed a single. period for: daily recita- tions since March, 1839, In August it will be twenty-seven years since he took up his work for the State University, having been one of its first professors. He took the chair of the geological department at the time of its organization and has held it ever since. It was forty-four years last month since he began teaching the sci- ence. His first experience as a professor was at the Oglethorpe University in Georgia, where he remained for only a short time. After leaving there he went to the Uni- versity of Georgia, where he remainea until called to take up the work at the University of California. Dr. Le Conte is as hale and hearty to-day as he was ten years ago, and his step as he walks across the campus is as quick and steady as ever. When called upon this afternoon he was found deeply engaged in preparing his birthday lecture on ‘‘The Structure of Mountains,” Upon being asked what there be anything | in works he has_been lately engagea in pro- ducing, he said: “It was just last week that I sent to the publishers the material for the new edi- tion of my ‘Elements of Geology.” The Reologiml science is rapidly progressing, and if I do not bring out a new edition of my work I will fall behind the times. Have been at work on it for about a year, and now that itis off to the publishers I feel much of a relief. It will beout during the summer, or perhaps late in the spring. My work on * Light’ or * The Principles of Vision’ will be the next to appear. Am now awaiting orders from the publishers to go ahead with it. About half of this work is wholly original. There are some other things which I would like to bring out, but do not seem to have the time to do so. T have on hand at the present time enouzh miscellaneous scientific and phil- osophical essuys and papers to make four or five large volumes. I may write out my lectures on comparative geology—I feel that I ought to do so. ‘4 nother thing I hope to do soon, also, | and that is to publish another work on | “Evolution”—a continuation of my last.”’ When asked whether his _idens with regard to the principles of evo- lution had changed since writing his last work on it, Dr. Le Conte said : “No. not by a_considerable difference. If anything, my ideas on the subject have been greatly strengthened by later stuay and investigation. I shall Dot seriously modlfy anything I have said in the former work.” Regarding the statements made con- cerning his intentions of giving part of his work at the university, Dr. Le Conte sai I have no intention whatever of giving up my lecture work in geology, but it may be that next year I will lessen my under- graduate instruction and give more atten- tion to post-graduate students.”” Town Trustees. BERKELEY, Cav., Feb. 25.—A petition was presented to the Town Trustees last night asking that another special election be called to secure bonds for $20,000 for school purposes. The petition bore the signatures of about 300 Berkeleyans. It was filed without action. The Trustees passed to print the ordi- nance fixing water rates and decided to hold an adgjourned meeting on Friday evening to tinally pass that ordinance. A report was made by Trustee Hoff of | | the Electric-light Committee that the | Electric-lighting Company is not comply- with its agreement to place all lights | in brackets 1n the middle of the streets. | Town Clerk Hanscom was instructed to | notify the company to carry out its con- | tract. | Contractor John Corbett was granied a release from his obligation to enter_into a contract to lay a sidewalk on Jones street. Mr. Corbett stated that H. W. | Carpentier, the principal property-owuer | on the line of the proposed improvements, had decided to refuse to pay any assess- ments, and would cause a long and expen- sive legal contest, which Corbett desired to avoid. All proceedings in the matter were rescinded. The Liquor Cases. BERKELEY, CaL., Feb. Town At- torney Hayne is making efforts to bring the case of Fred Fonzo, who is charged | with storing liquor without a license, be- | fore Judge Greene of Oakland. Fouzo was convicied in Berkeley and has appealed. | The case is similar to that of Stricker, in | | aeciding witich Judge Frick of Oakland | declared the ordinance under which the | charges were brought to be invalid. Sev- eral points urged by Stricker and Fonzo's attorney, M. C. Chapman, were not touched | by Judee Frick, whose decision was not a | written one, among them being the ques- tion as to the validity of the Berkeley Jus- tice courts. 1f Judge Greene refuses to hear the case of Fonzo the Berkeley Town Trustees will accept the defeat and pass a new liquor ordinance. | A Driver Injured. ‘ BERKELEY, Cax., Feb. 25.—Elmer E. | Toby met with 'a painful accident while ng a trotting stallion on San Pablo avenue last night. The animal stumbled i over a rock and so joited the buggy that | Toby was thrown to the ground. He en- deavored to rise and secure the horse, but | found that his left ankle was broken. The horse dashed madly away in the direction { of Vakland, and was not recovered for | some hours. The injured man was taken | to the liquor-store of L. Strange, where | Dr. Eastman set the broken ankle. | Blue and Gold Election. | BERKELEY, Cav., Feb. 25.—The soph- iomums at the university held their blue and gold election to-day. Rector was elected editor by a majority of three votes | over his opponents, and Baker was chosen business manager. The poll system was used 50 as to permit of a large ballot being cast. For editor the total vote cast was 267, and for business manager 247. The election throughout was a quiet one. THE PEOPLE'S PARTY. Thirty - First Assembly District Club Aflirms Its Loyalty to the Principles. Pursuant to the call of the organizing committee of the People’s party, ninety- six voters of the Thirty-first Assembly | District met at Trades’ building, 1151 Mis- sion street, and signed the roll of the People’s party. U. A. Lewis called the meeting to order and the club was formed | forthwith. George D. Gillespie was unanimously chosen as chairman of the club and C. F. Peck secretary and treasurer. After appointing captains for the sey- eral precincts and transacting other rou- tine work the following resolutions, pre- sented by George D. Gillespie, were unan- imously adopted: Resolved, That we, the members of the Peo- ple’s party Thirty-firs¢ Assembly District Ciub, do here and now reaflirm our unswerving al- legiance to the People’s party Natioual, State -and municipal principles of government. Resolved, further. That we are unalterably opposed to fusion in all of its ramifications. And wnereas, There has lately been consid- erable discussion upon the necessity for & non- partisan movement in the City of San cisco for the ensuilg municipal camp 1896. Resolved, That we ere opposed toany member of the People's party aiding financially or abetling in anv manner of Whatsoever name OF nature such non-partisan movement as is destined to discourage the eflicacions organiz- ation of the People’s party in this City, which must of necessily resull in an injury to our party, not only in obisining speedy control of the municipal governmen: of this City, but the apparent lack of unity among Populists in 1ocal affairs will lose many votes for our Na- tional ticket, and be it further Resolved, That we desire to place ourselves onrecord as Opposing any non-partisan scheme as one calculated to deceive the eredulous voter. We make thisassertion upon the hy- pothesis that noman ever did or can rise one iota above his party in the aggregate, and for such person or persons 1o withdraw them- selves fron their several parties upon the as- sumption that they ere more honest, patriotic or better qualified to guarantee to | sons and his friend Aibert W. the citizen a clean, honest and efficient admin- istration of the municipel affairs by calling themseives, “Non-Partisan party,” which in itself is an enigma and & travesty upon party discipling, And is, to say the least, ebsurd | and egotistic, and places the responsibilits | entirely upon the shoulders of individuals who have Do party ties and 1o party to dis- Tupt by their acts it they be bad, which, in our opinion, is in contradiction toall the perma- nent political evolution of the past ages. We believe that all permanent political progress in municipal sell-government, as well as State and National government, must be the result of certain fumdamental principles, which take root primordial, commencing with the common people in each precinct and extending through all the phases of !Dclet{l and political subdi- vision until it has sanctified the er- mine of the bench and seized upon‘the dig- Dified positions gf Congress and ihe chief ex- ecutive of the Nation. And this can only be done by & National party crystallized by the unification of its membership with principles 80 clear that even the wayfaring man can sce through them, and yet so solid that the finan- cial wolves of the world can hurl themselves to death against the bland and placid dogmas without leaving & single mar or blemish upon the erystal trutn of its face, The meeting then adjourned for one weel e Judge Beatty Has Gone Home. Judge Beatty, who has been presiding in the United States-courts of this district during thy last term, left for his home in Idaho yeme:dsy? A CONTRACTS IN JEOPARDY. The Building of the New Union Depot Ferry at a Standstill. BATEMAN BROS’ TEST CASE, State Controller Refuses to Allow a Demand Granted by Harbor Commissioners. John C. Bateman and Michael Bateman, through their attorneys, Sullivan & Sulli- van, have petitioned the Supreme Court for a writ of mandate compelling E. J. Coglan, State Controller, to allow their demand for $33 due for work upon the new union ferry depot. The Supreme Court has taken original jurisdiction in the case and has granted an alternative writ, returnable March 2. The amount in itself, although insig- nificant, bears directly on the entire $600,000 of contract value invested in the construction of the new building, and it will serve as a test of the validity of all contracts awarded by the Board of Harbor Commissioners. Bateman Bros, secured the contract for plastering and glazing for $48,400. They performed service to the value of $44, and demanding payment for this amount they were aliowed by the Commissioners ac- cording to the special statute governing the commission in such cases, $33, or 75 per cent of the entire amouni. The State Controller, however, refused to allow their claim, on the ground that the statute heretofore governing the com- mission Lad been repealed by amend- ments made subsequent to the enactment of the law. The Risdon fron Works hasa contract of $188,000 for the erection of steel trusses and supports in the structure, but owing to the vncertainty of the validity of the contract, it has refused to begin work or sign for work with Eastern firms. F. Sullivan of the_firm of Sullivan & Sullivan said last evening: Itis claimed by the Attorney-General that the matter of inyiting proposals and awarding contracts has been changed by virtue of amendments to the general law governing the manner of the erection of public buildings. The general law was passed in 1876, and the amendments to it were passed, one in 1891 and the other in 1895, Between the plan of inviting proposals under the special law of the Harbor Commis- sioners and the plan laid down in the general public buildings law there are essentialdiffer. ences. In the awarding of public contracts it is an established principle that the mode of pro- cedure pointed out by the statute governing in such matters must be followed. The Harbor Commissioners have followed the special siututes heretofore rTegarded as governing them. Itisclaimed that their course is con- trary to the general law, for the reason as- serted by the Attorney-General—they have acted under the wrong siatute. If the position of the Attorney-General be correct the contract awarded to the Bateman Bros. and_the other contracts involved in the construction” of the $600,000 improvement are invalid, and the small demand of the Bate- mau Bros. on account of their $48,400 con- tract, if invalid, will in the determination of ion involve the validity of all the The case is of paramount Importance, and the Supreme Court has undertaken the hear- ing of the case by the solicitation of Governor Budd, the Attorney-Geueral, the Harbor Com- missioners and our client: —— MENDEL E@_G'S_ESTME Several Charitable Bequests Men- tioned in the Will of Deceased. The Remainder of His Property Left to His Widow and His Children. The will of Mendel Esberg, who until his déath was a partner in the firm of Es- berg, Bachman & Co., was filed for probate yesterday. He left an estate which, in the petition for probate, iy indefinitely esti- mated at over $10,000, but it is certain that it will reach over balf a million. The house and grounds at Buchanan street and Pacific avenue were left to the testator’s wife, together with her half of the community property. To his children, Alfred I, Henry, Milton H., Justin and Edith, he leaves the remaining half of his estate, it to be distributed to them when the youngest shall have reached the age ot 25. In the meantime they may each draw 000 if it be deemed necessary. 0 the Pacific Hebrew Orpban Asylum | and Home Society is left $500; to the Protestant Orphan Asylum $500; to the Archbishop, to be paid to the Catholic Orphan_Asylum as he may direct, $500; to the Bureka Benevolent Society $500; to the First Hebrew Benevolent Society $500; and to the Israelitischer Frauen Verein $250. The testator ects that his widow, Matilda Esberg, be nrpointexl executor with full power and without bonds, and it she needs assistance he suggests that the Scholle assist her. He directs further that, if the surviving partner consents, his interest in the firm of Esberg, Bachman & Co. remain there, so that the business of the firm may be conducted without interruption. The will is dated April 15, 1893, and is witnessed by Mayer Weiland and Joseph Naphtaly. — e — Many eyes supposed to be black are only a deep orange bro: NEW TO-DAY. Professor Charles Fauvel, M.D., the noted Speciatist of France, WRITES OF THE IDEAL TONIC: «1 use it for my family, and prescribed it for over 20 years with unvarying satisfaction to myself and patients,” S =7 E Mailed Free Descriptive Book with Testimony and Portraits OF NOTED CELEBRITIES. Boneficial and Agrecable, Every Test Proves Repulation. Avold Substitntions. Ask for*Vin Marlaal® At Druggists and Faney MARIANI & CO., Famn: éflbfi::flmm 62 W, 15t8.85., New Tork, Dr. Gibbon’s Dispensary, 625 KEABNY ST. Established