The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, January 6, 1899, Page 1

i §¢¢¢'/(J'é;lqg"i 1051 P Wouy uaye; 3q 03 . Jou JSCYE‘d sy i i VOLUME LXXXV—-NO. 37. SAN FRANCISCO, FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1899. PRICE FIVE CENTS. AGENTS INTIMIDATION AND BRIBERY BROUGHT TO BEAR FOR BURNS Assemblyman Morris Brooke Threatened and Then Cajoled. Was Tempted With a Four Years’ Office if He Acceded, and Told That He Would Lose if He Refused. His Seat ALL HEADQUARTERS, SACRAMENTO, Jan. 5.— e blackest pages in the history of California pol- ‘hen the true story is told of the at- men to secure the vote of Assembly- mento by bribery and intimidation. this proceeding ought to be speedily indicted my. The Call is in possession of many of the im- ed with the disgraceful scheme to corral When the law takes its course ar of justice the men concerned, citizens of be compelled to plead to the charge of offer- ce the vote of a member of the Legislature. enes as the curtain is lifted stands the figure of railroad official, but it is due to his character and 1at his part in the transaction was played by rin, the clumsy manipulator in San Francisco. ses to tell the story, and the peo- printec conne for Burns. ty. ooke’s opponent at the last election for Legislature was William Johnston, but Brooke elected to represent the Twenty-second District, receiving 1ajority of sixty-one votes. Shortly after the result was declared proceedings to contest MSSE-MBLYMAN v PORR LS B-RooKE- il / the election of Brooke were instituted in the Justice Court of Sacramento. For a time the matter rested. The men who planned the contest were probably waiting to receive overtures from the Assemblyman elect, but as no negotiations were in- vited the representative of the railroad corporation appeared on the scene with a proposition. It must be conceded that he han- dled the affaii .vith more skill and sagacity than a man of Her- rin’s mental caliber could suggest. He sought an interview with Assemblyman-elect Brooke and appointed the Golden Eagle Hotel as the place of meeting. When the two men came to the appointed place a general discussion took place with the purpose on the part of the agent to ascertain if Brooke was wholly com- mitted to the support of any particular candidate for the United States Senate. The words of the conversation cannot be re- peated, but in the course of the interview the emissary from the railroad who was doing politics for Dan Burns sprung his prop- osition, but was careful to omit all reference to the name of Burns or any other candidate. This was the offer made to Brooke: “If you agree to vote for a certain man for United States Senator whose candidacy has not been announced we will see that the contest of William Johnston for your seat will be abandoned:” WORK S et +44 R e aaasas s R aaasasas e e B R B s S D ARSaassessassily R aasansssSos Mr. Brooke refused to bind himself to any such agreement, and so the interview closed, but the contest was still maintained. Later on another agent was sent to see Mr. Brooke and reopen the negotiations. This time a bribe was introduced to gain the consent of Brooke to the scheme. Moreover, the name of the Senatorial candidate on whose behalf the Assemblyman was sought was disclosed. Here is the substance of the second at- tempt to influence a vote by unlawful means: “If you will agree to vote for Dan Burns for United States Senator, Johnston’s contest will be dismissed and you will be able to retain your seat in the Assembly. If you do not consent to this proposition you will be unseated, as Burns con- trols the Assembly and can unseat you by holding up his finger. If you vote for Burns and stay with him to the finish you can have a place in the County Clerk’s office after the adjournment of the Legisia- ture, and you can iold this piace aiid receive a good salary every month for four years.” Then the representative of the railroad company related that William Hamilton, County Clerk of Sacramento County, in return for railroad support in his election, had promised to give J. B. Wright, superintendent of the Southern Pacific Company at Sacramento, one appointment in the County Clerk’s office. It was explained that Mr. Wright still held the position at his disposal, and if he (Brooke) would vote for the election of Burns to the United States Senate he could have the clerkship as soon as the Legislature adjourned. The field was therefore opened to Mr. Brooke to vote for Dan Burns, and as a reward for his vote he would be allowed to retain his seat in the Assembly and would fall into a nice posi- tion with a good salary when his legislative duties were over. He was also face to face with threats that if he did not vote for Burns he would forfeit his office of Assemblyman and get nothing on the outside. It cannot be said that the Assemblyman debated in his mind whether to yield to the influence of bribery and succumb to the threats of intimidation, but he fully comprehended that he was in a very distressing position. He desired to do right and vote according to the dictates of his conscience and a sense of justice to the people who elected him to the Legislature. Finally he decided to stand up for his rights, but informed the railroad agents that he would take the matter into consideration. The crafty schemers of the railroad and Dan had another play in reserve. A day or two since a man who is well known around the Legislature, and who is very close to Jack Wright, called the Assemblyman aside and in a confidential whisper said: “Do you know that you are going to lose your seat in the As- sembly? I hear on the inside that if you are not very careful Johnston will be seated in your place. You had better see some of your friends at once.” When it was suggested that ex-Senator William Johnston was not in any way connected with the negotiations and could not be aware of what was being done by the railroad people, the statement was made that a man came directly from Mr. John- ston to Mr. Brooke with the information for the latter that the contest would be dismissed if Assemblyman Brooke would agree to vote for Dan Burns for Senator. This phase of the proceedings staggered the people who were let into the secret of the attempt of the railroad crowd.- They could hardly believe that Johnston would advise Brooke to line up with the crowd for Burns, but such was the message that came from him and with his assurance that the contest would be dismissed if Brooke would fall into line. In this affair the duty of the Assembly of the State of Cali- fornia seems to be plain. It is bad enough for bribe-givers to haunt the Capitol and barter for the purchase of votes, but it is worse still to threaten to unseat members if they refuse to obey the commands of Herrin and the touts behind Burns. Offers of bribes on one hand, threats to intimidate on the other. Will the honest, fearless Assemblymen who were chosen by a free people to represent a decent commonwealth allow a band of railroad hirelings to invade the State Capitol and “hold up” the members in this fashion? Little time will be required to develop all the facts in the case. ~ Assemblyman Brooke can name the men who approached him with bribes and threats. There should be in the Legislature men of firm and resolute purpose to expose and punish the guilty agents of the corrupt corporation. The penitentiary is yawning. OF CORRUPTION AT AT THE CAPITAL GRANT'S CAMPAIGN ALSO BESMIRCHED BY VOTE BUYING Political Roadhouses Established to En- tice the Legislators. Financial Assistance Offered in a Letter to Judge Clough in Return for His Vote for the San Diegan. CALL HEADQUARTERS,|degradation. These stations on SACRAMENTO, Jan. 5.— It|the road to ruin are two in num-| he graduates from this school to takes money to make a United | ber and their respective locations | the final stage of his education in | States Senator nowadays, at least | and furnishings are suited to the| crime. He is greeted by “Weep- that is what the political advisers | purpose for which they are in-|ing” Jim Kelly and “Red” Jack of young Mr. Grant of San Di-|tended. They are graded from| Sullivan, who are the presiding ego declare. Having the cour-|semi-publicity to absolute se-|geniuses of this household. age of their convictions—and the| crecy, and the legislator who is| These two reputable gentlemen money as well—they began by |started straight on the road un- | have undisputed access to the paying the election expenses of | der the experienced guidance of | Grant sack, but to them has not legislative nominees and are now | those in charge is pretty sure to|been intrusted the pleasing task hard at work trying to get to thc‘come at the far end with no bet-i of greasing the palms of needed bottom of their employers’ sack|ter thought than the “jingle of|and needy legislators. before the vote for Senator is|the guinea heals the hurt that| Their duties call for the exer- taken on Tuesday next. | honor feels.” | cise of far higher mental attain- To facilitate their plans for| The first station on the road ments than the mere handing out [putting Mr. Grant’s money|that leads to the Gragt sack is|of the coin that binds a bargain. {where it will do rhe most|situated on L street & number| They are the makers of the bar- igood the political managers 911 B. Itis a cozy, first floor flat | gain. A well stocked sideboard, of the young man with alon the sunny side of the street,| kitchen and pantry are accesso- name have established here in|in a good neighborhood and|riesto the general scheme of con- Sacramento what may be called | bears an outward air of respecta- | quest, for which “Weeping Jim” political roadhouses, at which|bility. It is not until the legisla-|{and “Red Jack” are justly fam- susceptible legislators may stop|tor with the itching palm passes| ous. A legislator is never so sus- {on their way from honesty to|the portal that he gains an inti-| ceptible as when at ease after a FIRST STATION ON THE ROAD TO THE GRANT SACK. mation of what he is to expect if | | TSty M HOUSE ON L STREET PRESIDED OVER BY “WEEPING JIM" KELLY AND “RED JACK” SULLIVAN.