Story of the Session of the California Legislature of 1911

ne Sharply Between Progressives and Reactionaries. On January 4, 1899, the inaugural "conclave" that was to escort Governor-elect Gage to the State Capitol, formed in front of the old Golden Eagle Hotel at Sacramento. There has been nothing like that conclave since, and probably never will be in California again. The proceedings of that day showed the tinsel of the old "machine" order at its worst. Several military gentlemen in uniform participated. Some of them rode on horses with which they were quite unfamiliar. Others rode in carriages. One of them tripped sadly as he descended the steps from the hotel. The Governor-elect entered a carriage; a small boy giggled ; the procession started. No circus parade ever made cheaper entrance upon a community. The "conclave," however, was forecast of 49 Part of this chapter follows closely an editorial article, "Governor Johnson's Message Strong for Popular Rule," which the writer prepared for the Sacramento Bee, and which appeared in the issue of that publication for January 4, 1911. the character of the inaugural address?full of sound and fury, signifying nothing?which Governor Gage was to roar out a few minutes later; was forecast of the barren legislative session which had convened two days before;50 and suggested the pompous, ineffective administration which, four years later, was to end so inglori- ously51 for the executive, who seemed to take the curious ride to his inaugural seriously. Twelve years ... --This text refers to the Paperback edition.