The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, January 29, 1897, Page 1

he SAN FRANCISCO, PRICE FIVE CENTS THCK FALLS OF 06 AND SHOW Eastern Traffic Clogged and Business Almost Suspended. Much Suffering in Baltimore, and Chesapeake Oyster- Boats Frozen Tight Florica Vegetables and Fruit Bitten. Heayiest Storm 'n New Eng- land Since 1888 JACKSONVILLE, Fra., Jan. 28.—Flt- his morning by the cold- winter, the mercury le to 21 decrees and pa, in the soathwest Vegetables the 0 degrees at T vortion of the state. anford were brdly hurt, but not entirely ruined. O-anges and other semi-tropical fruits were not dam- aged to any considerabie degree. The forfunate feature of the freeze was t was of short duration. The lowest ture Was reported in the State at 6 s morning, snd by 9 o'clock the i greatly moderated. jan. 28 —Not since the there been a storm of severity tbroughout New England as that which hss prevailed during the past twenty-four hours. All sections report beavy snows, varying all the way from 15 to 34 inches on the level, while the h winds have in many places piled up d b to 10 feet in height. Country roads are everywhere rendered impassable, while steam railroads, elec- tric railways, telegraph and telephone service have been pretty thoroughly de- moralized. In many places schools have been elased, portions of mills shut down and business of all kinds practically sus- pended. The storm in this city developed very nearly Z The snow fall has been-about 24 inches, causing great inter- ruption to streetcar and steam railroad traffic, besides practically placing an em- bargo upon ail ships hereabouts. With the exception of two or three schooners which came in this morning the haibor has been barren of arrivals. Ferry-boats are making their trips, but are greatly hampered by the thick snow. All sorts of rumors have been afloat in regard to vessels being ashore at Nahant, w Galloupes Island and other fut diligent inquiry has irm any of them, ville, Conn., reports a fall of 34 rches of snow and drifts from five toeight eep. BALTIMORE, Mp., Jan. 28.—Bleighing is always a novi in Baltimore and to- y thonsands took advantage of the op- rtunity 1o enjoy the unusual pleasure. The most severe siorm of the winter oc- curred yesterday and to-day. The snow- fall has been heavier than any sinoe 1888, Ice hes fastened 1self upon the waters of the riv and Chesapeake Bay and is giv- ing troutile to shipping interests. Vessels are Jocked in by the ice. A num- ber of oyster-boats have been temporarily aba ed, their crews walking to the shore. A great deal of destitution in all parts of Baltimore has been brought to light by the cold snap and every police station is beine overrun with men, women and chii- 1 search of food, clothing and fuel. cases of distress ha thus been ed. Reports from Western Mary- indicate the heaviest snow- the lowest temperature of the on theice CH, N. J, Jan. 28.—Re- from up and down the New Jersey coast show that the prevailing snowsiorm is the heaviest in several years. Besides the snowstorm the weather is s ntic Higulands, The surf is the broa! walk at Ashbury tk and washing sand Tpin the ram. rts. The snow is so deep that all trafic on whesis is siopped. Trains running into Long Branch are al delaved, and wires ste down from Barne- gat City to Atlantic City. AtSea Isle City the Jseawalls of several cotta have been destroyed by ihe k orm. Business is nearly suspended i an City on account of the storm. The bizgest fall of snow and fog envelops Ege Harbor. NEW YORK, N. Y., Jan. awoke this morning to face the beavies siowfall in this resion for years. It started in with determ! tion the evening before, and kept upa continual downfa. until the city was ed at 10 A. M. to-la beneath a robe of even ten inche:. But the snow was dry and the wind was not strong enough (o create any heavy drifts and ‘other ard conditions. For this reason it readily yielded to the feet and reduced discomfort 1o the lowest notch. The storm started on the Atlantic Zoast near South Carolina. It struck a cold steady breeze irom the north. This made New York the storm center. While snow was falling all over the middle At- lantic States, this region got the heaviest dose by far. It played havoe with all kinds of traffic, clogged surface tracks and congested thor- oughiares. Crowding and yelling truck- men, nervous and pushing pedestrians, tue loud grinding of snow plows and the determined work of the cartmen and lers made up the regulation tableau that always comes with & metropolitan storm. Cable lines were troubled with slippery cables, which made progress slow and ialting on them, so that a large amount passenger traflic was diverted to ele- i roads. uburban trains were behind their schedules and trains on all lines were an hour or two iate. The snowfallin this vicinity was the heaviest since the his toric blizzard of 1888, That record-breaker scored )¢ feet on a level, while the storm of-to-day has 10 inches to its credit. The storm practicsliy closed the port this fore- s venturing noon and last night, no ves in or out. During the evening, hewerer, the ves- sels which had anchored iside the Hook passed out, and a few of those due, which haa anchored off shore, came in. Reports from every part of tbe State, and from every New England bamlet or town where the teleeraph reaches, show the same con- dition. Even in the gull and cotton States | of the far South a temperature of coldness | exists which fors third of a century has t been equaled. COLUMBIA, 8. C., Jan. 28.—Dispatches report the temperature at Pickens 2de- grees below, Marion 4 below. These towns are in the Piedmont section. At Green- ville it was 6 degrees above, Columbia 18 above. It has grown colder to-night. RAILROADS SEEK RELIEF. | They Wit Have to Change Their Ticket System Unless Protected by Congress. CEICAGO, ILL., Jan. 28.—Among local raj/road officiils the prevailing sentiment is stronzly in favor of the proposed smendment to the intersiate commerce act now pending in the Senate which is | designed to prevent ticket scalping, and the railway companies are working in legitimate channels to overcome the com- bined opposition to the bill. The railway companies claim that the amendment will stop the wholesale fraud practiced on the companies and the public such as just been shown by the arrest and indictment of a gang of scalpers and retainers here vesterday. This gang is believed to be the one which was successful in putting out several hundred counterfeit tickets of sup- posed issue of prominent Western roads iast August and September. These tickets were honored by nearly every big road running east and southeast from this eity. The use of this bogus paper represented a | loss of several thousand dollars to the victimized lines, the money going into the pockets of scalpers and retainers. The position of the railway people is that if they cannot be protected in some such manner as contemplated by the pending amendment in Congress that the companies will eventually be forced to discontinue most of their through ticket- ing arrangements now in effect. The number of cases of successful counterteit- ing and sale of such tickets are increasing 1apidly, and owing to the fact that it can be carried on for several months without discovery it is impossible to bring the guilty party to justice. e A WASHINGTON AIRSHIP. | Professor Langley of the Smithsonian Institution Has Invented a Flier and Made Two Trips. NEW YORK, N. Y., Jan. 38.—A Sun special irom Washington says: The re port of Professor Langley, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, just submitte to the Board of Re-ents, contains the fol- lowing about his flying-machine: ““The writer has, during the intervals of his officisl duties, continued to experi- ment in this manner until he has reached a measure -of success which seems to tify him in making the statement here that mechanical fligats have now been at- iained. On May 26 lust a mechanism built chiefly ot steel and driven by a steam-engine made two flights of over half a mile. Since that time the resul: has been nearly doubled. In each case here was no support from gas. The ma chine was a thousand or more time heavier than the air in which it was mad. to move. Dr. Alexander Graham Bel witnessed the first of these, and communi- cated the statements of results to the Academy of France. “Ido not know how far interest in the work may bias my judgment, but it ap- pears to me that in these things, the fina sccomplishment of which has come un- der the charge of the Smithsonian Insti- tution, it has made a contribution to th: utilities of the world which will be memor- able.” | g RASH IN NAME AND DEED. In a Fit of Insanity a Nebraska Farme: Murders His Wife and Three Chi.- dren With an Ax. WAYNE, NEBR., jan. 28.—A most shock- ing murder was discovered this morning »a a farm ten miles southeast of this city. C. K. Rasb, in a fit of madness, brained s wife and three children with an ax \nd then hacked the bodies to pieces. The deed was discovered by a boy who hud been sent from a neighbor’s house to engage Rash to help shell corn. Ap- proaching the house he was startled by cries, and, supposing there was a struggle zoing on inside, burst in the door. A terrible spectacle presented itself. The furniture of the room was in bad dis- order and the walls and ceiling spattered with blood. On the bed was the body o: Mrs. Rash, her head so badly battered tha: t was scarcely recogmzable. In an ad- joining room lay the bodies of the chil- dren. Wherever he went were evidences of a struggle and deats. Upstairs in u loft lay the husband of the family. Hi~ vacant stare and wandering talk showed clearly that reason had left him. The Sheriff was immeaiately: sent for and the maniac placed behind the bars. The cause of his action 1s still a mys- tery. The family was in moderate cir- cumstances and esteemed highly. - HALPIN HAVIL HUE.S BIMSELF Bound for San ¥ramcisco He irvies tr Cut Bis Throat. CHICAGO, IrL., Jan. 28.—An 1nsane man, who attempted to cut his throat with & razor in a rear coach of a west- bound passenger train on the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad shortly after it had left the depot, caused much excite- ment among thirty or more passengers at 10:45 o’clock last night, and resulted in a delay of the train at Oakley avenue until the police could arrive and take charge of the frenzied man. Had it not been for the prompt action of the trainmen the man would have suc- ceeded in ending his life in the presence of the excited passengers. As it was, he drew the blede of the razor across his throat, but inflicted onlv a slight wouna. The man fought fiercely with the train- men, ard it was only after several passen- gers had offered assistance that he was overpowered and held until the arrival of the police. On the way to the County Hospital the crazy man fought ana ai- tempted to jump from the patrol-wagon. When the hospital was reached Le be- came more quiet, and said his name was Halpin Huv.l and that he was on his way from France to San Francisco. ' He had a icket for San Francisco in his pocket, which bore the name he gave to the police. N COLONEL ROBERT GREEN INGERSOLL. [From his latest photograph.] Colonel Ingersoll, who is now in h’s sixty-fourth year, recently decided to retire from the active practice of law. He purposes devoting much of his time to lecturing, for which he has always bad a great fondress. Hisnew lecture, which he delivered in Boston Iast Sunday night, he ca ‘How to Reform Mankind.” GAGE ACCEPTS THE PORTFOLID Will Becoms Sccretary of the Treasury in the New Administration. Demand for His Appointment Came From Men of All Parties and Rank. Vith Perhaps Ome Exception, Mzjor M Kinley Has Now Sclected All the Cabinet Memb:rs CANTON, Omio, Jan. 28.—Lyman J. Gage will be the next Secretary of the Treasury. He arrived at Major McKin- ley’s house a few minutes before 3 o’clock (his afternoon and was warmly welcomed oy the President-elect, who straightway withdrew with him for a private con- rence, which lasted until 6 o’ciock. The President-elect and his Secretary of the Treasury had a private talk, in wb.ch they Jdiscussed at length the financial and tariff policy and considerea problems that would call for immediate soiution by means. of legislation. Major McKinley and Mr. Gage are thoroughly in accord on all political, financial and economic questions. The demand for Mr. Gage's appoint- ment comes from nearly every commer- cial center in the country and from mem- bers of both parties. He is indorsed not only by the business world, but by many labor organizations as well. The direct statement is made in nearly all the letters and telegrams which have reached Major McKinley respecting Mr. Gage, that the direct effect of his appointment will be to hasten and render certain the restoraiion of confidence. Major McKinley has been thinking about Mr. Gage for several weeks in connection with the treasury portfolio, but has been waiting to learn if he could accept it. - It has also been Major McKin- ley’s intention, from the day he was elected, 1o choose a Western man for Sec- retary of the Treasury, if he could find an available man. Mr. Gage meets all of the requirements, vut his appointment does not remove .rom the list as a Cabinet posmibility the name of Charles Emory Smith, who would in all probability have been made Secretary of Stateif the office had been filled by the appowntment of an Eastern mean. It may be safely assumed that Major McKinley has decided at present upon six men for his Cabinet, though he | has not formally tendered all of them portfolios. The men who are regarded as certain of appointment are: John Sherman, Ly- mean J. Gage, Nathan Goff, Joseph Mec- Kenna of California, John D. Long and James Wilson of Ohio for Secretary of Agriculure. General R. A. Alger's ap- pointment as Secretary of War is prob- able, but by no means certain. The re- maining portfolio, which 1s not likely to be tendered by the middle or lasi ot February, will doubtless go to a New Yorker or a Pennsylvanian. Mr. Gage said this eveuing and author- ized the United Associated Presses to say: “Inave been tendered the appoint- ment of Secretary of Treasury by Major McKinley and have accepted it.’’ e g Sowth Dakota’s Struggle. PIERRE, 8. D., Jan. 28.—The fusion caucus to-night was one of the warmest Leld since the assembly convened. 1t was in the nature of an experience meeting, each member standing up and giving the reason for the faith that was in him and why he supported his man. For some days it has been whispered around that H.H. Pottef of Aberdeen was to be the dark horse. He has been on the ground several days, but his boom bas failed to materialize. The last vote to-day showed no material change. It is: Kyle30, Plow- man 13, Loucks 3, Goodykoontz 6, Thae caucus adjourned until to-morrow even- ing. PLUNGED FROM THE TRACK. Catastrophe on a Brooklyn Elevated Road—Two Will Die and Many Were Injured. BROOKLYN, N. Y., Jan. 28. — Ice, snow and an open switch were the cause of cne engine and a caron the elevated road leaving the structure at Fourth street to-night, falling to the ground, a distance of twenty-five feet. Several persons were injured, two, it is said, fatalty. The injured are: Thomas Gaffney, engineer, skull frac- tured and other injuries to the body. George Thomas, fireman, scalded by es- caping steam. Albert Brown, engineer, several scalp wounds. Thomas Heath, fireman, left leg am- putated. The passengers hurt are: Henry Sebres, leg sprained. Julins Hanbury, spine fractured. Audrew Gorans, contusions of hips and legs. Henry ‘Hinke, wounds in the scalp. Heath and Gaffney will die. Four cars made up the train, but only a few passengers were in them. At the junction of Broadway and Fourth street, as Gaffney was about toslow up, engine 6, drawing a train of empty cars in charge of Albert Brown, Joomed up, and striking an open switch headed directly in Gaffney’s course. f Both engines came together with a crash that could be heard blocks away, and a second later engire' 74 toppled over, leaving the rails and dragging the first car with it to the strest. The breaking of the coupling on the second car prevented the other three coaches from leaving. the rails. Only four passengers were in the first car. ' These were taken from the wreck and soon several doctors were at work on them. ‘ Heath, who had his leg crushed and was unconscious when taken from the cab of | his engine, will die. Gafffiey and Thomas were foud wedged against the side of the boiler in their cab, All of the ‘injured were taken to the hos- pitals. Tne only two that will die, ac- cording to the doctors, are Gaffney and Heath. —— Steamers Ashove on the Atlantic Coast. NEW LONDON, Conx.,, Jan. 28.—The steamer Mohawk of tue Central Vermont propeller line went ashore early yesterday morning on a reef at the entrance to the harbor. A thick snowstorm and a hi gale from the northeast prevailed all night. POINT PLEASANT, N. J., Jan. 28.— The fishing schooner Hattie Rebecca Car- ter went ashore near Sea Isle City this morning during a thick snowstorm.” Her crew of six were saved. ———— Swell Bicycle Clubhouse. NEW YORK, N. Y., Jan. 28.—A plan is on foot for the erection of one of the finest and most completely eauipped bicycle clubhouses in- the country, the cost of which is to'be §100,000, although those be- hind the enterprise expect to raise $300,- 000. The promoters ar, residents of this city. They expect to call it the Greater New York Bicycle Club by the Sea, b, reason of its proximity to Coney Island. The company has secured an op'ion on a site on the boulevard near Neck road, within & haif mile of the island. HEW HOME O WATWARD GRS Santa Clara Will Be Made the Site of the Re- formatory. Liberal Inducements That the Governer and Legislators W.il Accept. Impertant Use to Ee Made of the State Preperty Formerly Occupied by the Feeble-Minded. S8AN JOSE, CAv., Jan. 28.—The State property formerly occupied by the Home for the Fecble-minded in Santa Ciara, which is proposed to be converted into a State reformatory for girls, was visited by Governor Buad and a committee from the State Legislature and a delegation of per- sons interested in reform work this morn- ing. Governor Budd was accompanied by the following: ~Senator S. N. Androus of Los Angeles, H. V. Morehouse and F. C. Franck of Santa Clara County, Assembly- man H. E. Wright of Alameda County, chairman of the Committee on Grounds and Buildings, and N. E. Malcolm aud J. J. McLaurin of this couaty. J. F. Carrere of the Los Angeles Express officiated as secretary. Dr. A. E. Osborn, medical director of the Home for Feeble-minded at Glen Ellen, accompanied by his wife, was of the party. Ex-Senator E. M. Pres- ton and Fayette Mace of the board of trustees, and E. Carl Bank, superintend- ent of the Preston School of Industry at Tone, also accompanied the delegation. The visitors were met at Santa Clara upon their arrival by s large number of prominent men from Santa Clara and this city and escored to the property in carriages. The members of the delegation expressed great surprise at the attractiveness of the location, its conveniences and the capacity of the butldings. A tour of inspection was then made. Each réom in the three de- partments of the building was visited and the size of the rooms, lighting, ventila- tion and convenience were commented upon. Governor Budd acted as leader and questioner. “Why I had no idea the State had such an excellent plece of property here,”” was his first remark upon entering the grounds, and from this moment he showed favor to the proposition to use the property for a girls’ reformatory in every remark he made. The water plant, light- ing plant, several gardens and orchards received close inspection. ‘When the party returned to the portico in front of the mamm building J. B. O'Brien, as president of the Board of Trustees of the town of Santa Clara, made the following statement: “The town of Santa Clara is anxious to have this property used for a State re- formatory for girls, and to secure that end we are willing to offer such inducements as are within our power. Santa Clara owns its own water plant, and the Trus- tees have expressed their willingness to furnish tne institution free of cost with fifty gallons of water per capita a day. Santa Clara also owns its electric lighting vlant, and we are willing to supply what arc electric lighting will be deemed neces- sary for properly uluminating the grounds. Further than this, we are ing to extend the town sewer to the front of the building, in order that the property may have every sewerage facility.” This proposition was received with much favor by the delegation and ap- plause by represertatives from Santa Clara and San Jose. In conversation with a CALL representa- tive Governor Budd sai “I have been opposed to the establishment of new public institutions requiring in- creased expenditures for mainten- ance, but I must say I am heartily in favor of the project to bring the girlsfrom the Whittier Reform School and establish agirle’ reformatory at this place. I am agreeably surprised to find this such a pretty place. It presents a better appear- ance and would be more comfortable for the girls than Whittier. The provosition of the Santa Clara Board of Trustees re- moves all question as to the proposed change involving additional expense to the State. I can easily see how it will save the State several thousands of dollars an- nually. Besides this it would separate the boys from the girls and this has become a necessity. 1 recommended the same in my message to the Legislature and have worked to accomplish it. My only objec- tion to the establishment of a reformatory at this place was that Idid not want any new institutions which would require a new set of trustees. *The removal of tbe girls to this place would only involve the expense of about $5000 for neeced repairs. This money can be taken in per capita proportion from the $40,000 now fn the Whittier School fund, which would sull leave considerable money to the credit of this institution to be expended in the best manner for the education of the girls in the schools. “I have examined the property care- fully. Its sewerage with the proposed connection with the town sewer would be excellent. The buildings are in good con- dition and so constructed as to be admir- able for dividing the girls into necessary classes. The grounds are abundant and suitable for both work and play. The gardens and orchards could be made a source of profit and also give desirable occupation to the inmates of the institu- tion. The convenience of the buildings to the Agnews Asylum will enable the piac- ing of the institution under the control of the trustees of that institution. This will prevent the appointment of a new board of control. The medical director, engineer and otper employes of one institution could be used when necessary for the other. ““Another thing of importance is that the proposed change will relieve the Whittier School and make an appropria- tion for new buildings unnecessary. The trustees of Whittier have asked for $80,000 for this purpose. [am heartily in favor of the project, and I am satisfied a bill making the change will receive no opposi- tion in the Legi-lature. It certainly will not when it comes to me for my signa- ture.” Senator Androus of Los Angeles ex- pressed himself as being heartily in favor of using the building as a reformatory for girls, and stated that the plan proposed was, in his estimation, for the best inter- ests of the State. Senator Morehouse took great pains in having every adaptability ot the buildings and grounds shown to each member of the delegation, and stated that he would introduce a bill embodying the idea upon his return to Sacramento. Dr. Osborn, ex-Senator Preston and others expressed their hearty approval of the provosed change. After the inspec- tion the visiting party was dined by David Henderson at his home in Santa Clara and at the conclusion of the dinner a pub- lic reception was held. The Governor and Legislative party also visited the State Normal School and in- spected all of its departments. Senator Morehouse showed the party the grounds and explained what he desired in the bill be had offered, granting to the city of San Jose a suitable site on the State property for & high school. Governor Budd, regarding the proposed grant, said: “I am in favor of giving the city as much of the grounds as is desired for such a purpose, and I am in favor of empowering the trustees of the Normal School and the Board of Education of San Jose to select the site and agree upon the amount of ground to be set aside for that purpose, provided, however, the city will agree to keep the ground allotted to it in good order. The grounds now I consider too large for exclusively normal school purposes, as-they are too expensive to keep in attractive condition.” The Senators and Assemblymen ex- pressed themselves in favor of granting the proposed site to the city, and stated that little opposition to Senator More- house’s bill was contemplated. Senator Androus and Secretary Carrere visited Agnews {nsane Asylum for a short time before going to the Normal School. Senator Androus stated that he would fevor a larger appropriation for that insti- tut on, as he thought electriclights should be used exclusively for illumination. Governor Budd also favored an increased appropriation for this purpose, and stated : “1 am always willing to sign bills for im- provements at Agnews Asylum, for'l con- sider it one of the best and most econom- ically managed public institutions in the State.” Governor Budd, Senators Morehouse and Androus, with the secretary of the com- mittee, left on the 8 o'clock train for Tracy, where they will join a legislative party en route for Southern California, where the State institutions will be in- spected. FEIGHI+UL GAS EXPLOSION, Two Miners Blown to Atoms and Several Tervibly Injured. UNIONTOWN, Pa., Jan. 28.—About 5 o'clock last eveming a gas explosion occurred n a mine owned by the Shields, Laird & Hurst Coal Company at Smock station, on_the Redstone branch of the Pictsburg, Virginia and Charleston Rail- road. Two men were blown to atoms and several perhaps fatally injured and two less serlousl{‘ The names of the dead are: Charles McQuister and Peter Hauser. One of the miners drilled into a pocket of zasand as naked lamps were used an explosion followed. The seven men most -eriousli hurt were terribly mangled, several having their eyes blown out, while others were so badly burned that great pieces of flesh dropped from the bones. bl Thousands of Deaths From tie Plagwe. BOMBAY, Ixpia, Jan. 28.—The official report just issued shows 4395 cases of the bubonic plague and 3275 deaths from the disease in the city of Bombay. At Kara chi 694 cases and 664 deaths have oceurre There have been 65 cases and 60 deaths at Poonah, and a fow cases have appeared at Kathlawar, Suret, Cuch, Baroda and other places. ED SMITH GIVES FUNNY TESTIMONY Peculiar Ideas of a Noted Politician on Tempo- rary Organization. Would Stuff the Roll Until All Applicants Were Made Satizfid. Little Pregress Made in the So-Called Investigation of Chiet Duck- worth’s Acts. SACRAMENTO, Ca Jan. 28.—Ed J. Smith of San Francisco kept tbe Duck- worth committee on investigation on the laugh for fifteen or twenty minutes this afternoon. He had been called asan ex- pert to tell all he knew about the practice and precedents of past sessions of the Legislature in temporary organizations. Mr. Smith proved to be an expert to the manner born. The air of candor with which he discussed practical politics and his surprising frankness took away tbe breath of the members of the committee and all that they could do was to sit back in their chairs and roar with langhter. He was a page in the long ago when the Legislature held its sessions in what is now the County Courthouse on I street, a rusty looking building with a magrificent portico modeled after that of tie beauti- ful Temple of Venus in Athens. There he received his first lessons in practical poli- tics, and counting the Constitutional con- ventions as a session of the Legislature he has attended eighteen sessions as boy and man and he is yet poor. When he was asked as to the number of attaches in addition to the statutory officers that were employed in past sessions he replied that in the session of 1881 five extra attaches were employed. In 1887 about fifteen: “Then,” continued Smith, “they con- tinued to increase from year to year up to the present time. At the last session there were twenty-nine, and I was one of the temporary fellows. The Legislature in the session before last was Democratic, and the Democrats created the position of history clerk for me. When I e back two years ago to help organize the Legis- tature I was not on the temporary rolls George Peckham was clerk and I said: «Look here, George, I have been work: ing here right along, and I ought to be puton the roll,’ and he put me on the third day after.” Smith tola how he had worked in San Francisco figuring on the mileage of members before he came up here. For instance, he fizured Assemblyman Ae- lick’s mileage from Lancaster to Los An- geles and from Los Angeles to San Fran- cisco. He haa got the distances and stage and railroad routes from a railway guide, and this guide did not appear to show that Lancaster was on the Mojave Desert between Los Angeles and San Francisco. While the members were heartily laughing over this liberal method of com- puting mileage, Smith, wholly uncon- scious of kaving made any funny revela tions, pointed his finger at Chynoweth’s black whiskers and said: “Just as I did for you, Mr. Chynoweth.” This sally provoked such a shout of laughter that Chynoweth’s blushes con- cealed his whiskers. He recovered from his confusion in time to ask whether Smith bad treated him with the same liberality as he had treated Melick, and Smith replied that he had allowed him only his proper mileage, as he had tried to do with all the other members. Chairman Waymire asked Smith how many etaployes he thought necessary to organize the Assembly, and the witness blurted out with breezy frankness: “Well, politically speaking, I would put on as many as I could.”’ It required five minutes for the com- mittee to recover from its fit of laughing. It was plain that Diogenes need no longer roam the desert with his lantern search- ing for the bonest man; he could come to the Assembly chamber. Smith, then speaking not politically but practically, explained that the Assem- bly could be nicely and comfortably or- ganized with the following officers: A chief clerk, two assistant clerks and one minute clerk, five pages, a sergeant-at- arms and three assistants for the gates, a postmistress, a rear porter and a mail- carrier. “Didn’t you leave out the history clerk?” asked Brausie facetiously. “On, we don’t want a history clerk on temporary organization,” replied Bmith. “The temporary roll increases every year. I don’t blame them. When the Demo- crats had no place for me they created the office of temporary clerk.” +Are you a Democrat or a Republican ?’ inquired Chynoweth. “I am a Republican, sir,” responded the witness with dignity, straightening him- self up. Belshaw was the next funny witness. Belshaw’s name appeared on Duckworth’s temporary roll as sponsor for a page named A. A. Smith, and when the roll was read outloud in meeting Belshaw, apparently very much perturbed in spirit, produced the affidavit of the page Smith to prove that Smith was appointed or placed on the temporary roll on January 5, the day after the House was organized. The state- roent of the gentieman from Antioch was received with smiles, winks and nudges by all the newspaper men and by most of the committee. It was rather tangled, and runs as the crow flies as follow: “Oneof the pages told me that his name was A. A. Smith; that he had served asa page at the previous session. and that he wished I would give him & recommenda- tion so that he could draw his salary. I thereupon wrote down on a sheet of paper, as near as 1can recollect, the following: ‘I hereby recommend A. A. Smith to be appointed temporary page,’ and signed my name and sent it up to the desk. Duckworth held the note up over his desk and said, ‘Did you write that?’ and I re- plied that I certainly did, and Duck- worth put it down. I began to s udy over the matter and it came to my mind that I