The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, January 8, 1897, Page 1

{ ! { s - T "VOLUME LXXXI. SHORTRIDGE'S STARIS RISING Increase in the Defections From the Perkins Ranks. TRICKERY ACTED AS A BOOMERANG. Many Follow Judge Waymire in Promptly Repudiating the Alleged Caucus. BY TUESDAY THERE WILL BE A LANDSLIDE. In Eloquent, Forceful Language Senator More- house of Santa Clara Will Nominate Samuel M. Shortridge for United States Senator, to Succeed George C. Perkins. SACRAMENTO, Cal,, Jan. 7.—Several more defections from the Perk anks have been noted since Judge Waymire repudiated the trickery, fraud and misrepresentation by which the agents for the Scnator have attempted to secure his re-election. The Senator’s star is low down on the horizon, and a landslide may b: expected before next Tuesday. There was a scene of unusual activity to-night in the headquar- ters of Samuel M. Shortridg People in the hotel thought that a reception was taking place Hundreds crowded in and out of the rooms to shake hands with and to congratulateithe brilliant lawyer who has made such a game fight against his opponent at what seemed at first glanc: to be the most fearful odds. Judge Daly, a member of the Code Commission, a lawyer the soundness of whose opinion is admitted by the profession at large, gave his opinion to-night that the Republican legislators have failed to hold a caucus. s SACRAMENTO, CaL, Jan. 7 nost peculiar doctrines advocated by George C. Perkins at the session of the Legislature is that caucus is binding not only who may have attended it | the nanagers o present but upon those who did not. There may mething funnier than this under the | f so the late lamented Bill Nye | arthly sphere ere his facile | ared it. { re is any such thing according to any political custom pertaining to such | ing caucus which a ma-| s of the Legislature | hitherto unknown to | neral public as well. 1gers have discov- ifairs, and | their own felici wledge of 2 pos t 1 g’ But Mr. ered thi while co: sion of superior in ve added to the | political history of California a joke that will be perennial. | When it is claimed by Mr. Perkins’ managers that an alleged caucuc com- | posed of fifty-nine members of the Legis- | lature can bind the Republican party to | o even those | who attended the farcical v,n,cu..dingloi the result of its vote, then it logical ir choice for Senator, or ly fol- | lows that s conference of fifty or forty or thirty members would have the same binding effect, either upon the party itself or those who attended it. Such a conclusion leads to a further and more ridiculous one, thatan aspirant for Senator or any other office within the gift of the Legislature could hold a ‘“‘caucus” of twenty members and bind them to-day, and another one of ten members and bind | them to-morrow, and the next day hold a third of five members and bind them, until he could climb upon the pedestal of conceit and shout in thunder tones to the multitude that the whole party was “bound” as securely as Samson. The pretensions of the Perkins]man- agers that the pretended caucus of last Monday evening was of any binding effect either upon the Republican party | or those who attended it is regarded with the utmost ridicule, even by many of those who through courtesy did attend. As one who was present aptly expressed it: "I have laughed so much in my sleeve over so absurd a claim that it is worn threadbare at the elbow.”” It will be remembhered that at the last clection at Sacramento an attempt was made upon the part of a candidate before the Legislature to claim that the Republi- HON. THOMAS. A. KEAELES, the Independent Republican Assemblyman From] Bodie. TR I v e ae Disappointed Office-Seekers Express Their Sentiments to Members of the Assembly. can members thereof were bound by a so- called caucus of less than a majority mem- bership of the Legislature. But at that time Senator Perkins, who was the successful candidate, through the efforts of his managers succeeded rightly in casting ridicule upon 8o absurd a claim., “Oonsistency, thou art a jewel’—when not found in, the proboscis of the pork species.. —_———— RISE OF THE TIDE. ° Samuel M. Shortridge’s Strength Constantly Increasing, While the Perkins Boo m Is Bursting. SACRAMENTO, Car., Jan. 7.—The headquarters of Samuel M. Shortridge at the Golden Eagle Hotel were the scene of unusual sctivity to-night. One would have thought that some grand reception was in progress, for during the whole of the afternoon and evening the stairs were kept hot with the busy tread of visitors. It was the rising of the tide that would safely float the Shortridge ship, while at the same time the battered hull of the Perkins boom was being dashed higher and higher upon the Scylla of blasted hopes. There was rejoicing in the ranks of the Shortridge forces, for they had been aug- mented by the addition of several who had sigued the call for the so-called cau- cus and who realized that if this State was to be upheld in the Senate of the Nation it must be done by a man of more force, more eloquence, more energy and more earnestness and self-sacrifice than have been recently exhibited on behalf of Cah- fornia. At first these members had been under the impression that they had com- mitted themselves by signing the roll and attending the conference at the suggestion of Milt Green and the oily W. B, Hamil- ton. They did so because they had been informed that there had signed and would be present a sufficient number of legisla- tors to do businesa. ‘When they found that they had been deceived, they still felt that they had un- willing'y and unknowingly been herded into the Perkins corral. by false and fraudulent representations, and that they were bouna in honor, despite that fact, to abide by the decision of those who did attend, plus the proxy of Assemblyman Sims, who at that time was lying on a bed of pain in the Sutter Club, But the action of Judge Waymire and his friends in repudiating the action of the conference, the opinion of gentlemen learned in the law and of high repute in the profession, convinced the deceived ones that they were not bound in con- sclence by the decision of a political fiasco; that it were folly to follow the rainbow illusion of a bursting bubble, and they went away from the side of a leader who at bis best hat ‘never Inspired them either with admiration or enthusiasm. And here must be noted a fact none the less signifiant because weil known. There never was any enthusiasm or admiration for Senator Perkins. Although hia agents claimed sixty-one out of the seventy-four Republicans 1n the Legislature, these sixty-one have never sent forth even a solitary cheer for him.''No one has spoken with any warmth of him. No one has praised him, no one has admired him. No one has stood upon the curbstone and told what good things he has done for, Califor- nia. Ifeven adrunken man should stand in front of the Golden Eagle Hotel, where all the politicians are beehiving and buz- zing from sunset till 2 A, a., and propose three cheers or even one cheer for Mr. Perking, the crowd would run out to get a look at the man who had thus exhibited a mental, moral and political aberration of mind. ‘When Samuel M. 8hortridge came down from the Capitol yesterday afternoon and got on the edge of the crowd on the hotel 'lhhmlku 1gok him just ha;“an hour fo travel filty feet from the cortier to the ho- tel entrance. 'He had tc stop and shake tiahds with more than a hundred people, all of whom knew and admired him for the plucky fight be is making. The star of Perkins is sinking lowdown on the horizon, and that of Samuer M. Shortrdge is rising. The Perkins forces Now, if there are not a sufficient num- ber to accomplish the purpose there is no caucus and nobody is bound by it, be- | cause where there is no power to fulfill | the contract there can be no valid con- tract. It becomesa conferenc:, and can bind neither those who take part nor those who abseat themseives. Even a caticas cannot bind those who do not take part in it. e g e MOREHOUSE’S STAND. In an Eloquent Speech He Will Nominate Samusl M. Short- ridge for Senator. SACRAMENTO, CaL., Jan. 7.—Speak- | PATRIOTIC AND PROGRESSIVE. SACRAMENTO, Car., Jan, 7.—N. E. Malcolm, a Republican member of the Assembly from Santa Clara County, spoke of the contest for United States Senator in an interview to-night. He said: I regard SBamuei M. Shoriridge as one of the ablest men in public life, and I believe in the rule that men trained to the duty of performing public service should be recognized. The study and time which a man gives to qualify himself with | knowleage necessary tc serve the people should count for something. | “Inmy judgn.ent Mr. Shortridge in the United States Senate would be able to | accomphish more zood for the State of California than any other man mentioned for that office. T admire his talents, his intellect and hisloyslly to Republican principles. | Many prominent citizens of Santa Clara County, men of the highest character and influerce, have requested me to vote for Mr. Shortridge. The same request has been made by the Republican County Committee of that county. “All men in Santa Clara County appreciate the ability of Mr. Shortridge. They | comprehend his worth as a man, for they have observed his steady advancement, una‘ded by wealth, to the top of the ladder. They recognize that he poscesse: the qualities of leadership. He is true to his friends; he is loyal to his party; he is that there were many absentees who were not notitied of the caucus. One member sought to establish that the Democrats being a majority of the minority, were entitled to name the candi- date. He said it bad been agreed when fusion was made that 1if the Populists elected more members of the Legislature than tbe Democrats, thut Phomes V. Cator was to receive the nomination. Now, that the Democrats were in the ascendency, a popular free-tilver and incorruptible Democrat such as Judge Maguire, should be declared the choice of Democrats and Populists alike. A Populist member asserted that he was bound to cast his vote for Thomas V. Cator. Assemblyman Treacy made a vigorous speech, in which he declared that Ma- guire represented in Congress both Dem- ocrats and Populists who were opposed to the gold standard and in favorof the free coinage of silver. He spoke of Maguire as a man whom millions could not buy and held it to be the duty of the minority to stand by the Congressman. “For myself,” said Treacy, “I am bound to cast my vote for Maguire.” ‘When questioned closely asto whether he would abide by the choice of the cau- cus he replied that he was bound to vote for Maguire, Senator Langford said that there was no issue in his district when he wasa candi- date before the people but gold and silver. He said: ‘‘Cator came out as a candidate for United States Senator too soon and his coming out cost me many votes. In this contest I have a favorite—a man who formal ballot and adjourn until Monaay evening. Senator Braunhart spoke highly of Judge Maguire as a statesman, but thought he was lukewarm in his (Braun- hart’s) cause during the jast campaign. After prolonged discussion it was agreed that the caucus to be known as the union ‘uinority should adjourn to meet at 5 o'clock Monday afternoon. The pro- gramme is for Democrats and Populists to meet each in their own camp at that hour, discuss the situation and then meet jointly at 8 o’clock the same evening to ballot for achoice. Eloquent speeches were made to show the necessity for all men opposed to the single gold standard, ail the Bryan Populists and all the Bryan Democrats to combine and present a solid front. A sin- gle reference was made in the caucus to Perkins, as a man who might be voted for in an emergency. The suggestion evoked 8 laugh of derision. —_—— IN THE SENATE. Passage of Resolutions Asking for Protection and Protesting Against Refunding. SACRAMENTO, CaL., Jan. 7.—In the Senate this morning Smith of Bakersfield introduced the resolution adopted by the Republican caucus yesterday requesting the California delegation in Ccugress to have incorporated in the tariff bill now | being drafted protective duties for all agricultural, horticuitural, pasteral and mineral industries of California and her sister States. Braunhart offered a resolution for the free coinage of silveras a substitute, but it patriotic and progressive. confess my opinion that Mr. Shortridge is of senator.” I can say frankly to you that I am unpleaged, but I must tiie ablest man mentioned for the office have not been able to hold their own ¢ much less to obtain the a.iditional vote which they claim is'all they need. Sev- eral have followed the' example of Judge Waymire, and have repudiated the meth- ods which have elicited the condemnation of ali honorable and fair-minded men. The names of those who have come into the ranks of the opposition since the al. leged caucus was held are kept secret for the present for reasons which are obvious. There will be more additions to the roll to-morrow. There may be a landslide before Tues- day. Judge Daly of the Code Commission, a lawyer whose opinicn carries great weight with it among the members of the pro- fession on the Pacific Coast, said to a CarL reporter last night that a caucus must have the numbers or the power to accom- plish the object of the desire of its major- ity, else it ceases to be a caucus and must be considered only as a conference. He wished to state at the outset of the inter- view that he did not care to give an opinion as to the recent meeting of fifty- eight or fifty-nine Republicans the other night, but he would speak in general terms, without reference to happenings here in Sacramento. There is no law reg- ulating legislative caucuses. The zeneral practice and precedent of the past are the guides. A caucus is an agreement among a cer- tain number of men sufficient to accom=y plish a certain purpose. Itisin one sense a contract, but if the party contracting is without power to do the thing contracted it ceases io be a contract or a caucus and becomes merely a conference. A caucus is something from which results should flow. A certain number of men having adverse interests may meet for the pur- pose of accomplishing ‘some object, each with the hope that he will succeed in har- monizing the other interests for the bene- fit of his own, and prepared to yield in the interest of the common cause, ing of Samuel M. Shortridge to-night, Senator H. V. Morehouse of Santa Clara said: “Ibhave known him from boyhood. I knew of his character and strength and I am for him. I shall express my judg- ment. of his worth when :I place him in nomination for United States Senator in the Senate next Tuesday.”’ Ivisin the air that Senator Morehouse, who is recognized as a brilliant and finished orator, will make the effort of his life in presenting the name = ot Mr. Shortridge to his fellow-Senators next. Tuesday. The re- port that Mr. Morehouse will speak, after careful and finished preparation, hasen- listed attention in literary circles in Sac- ramento. The desire to hear the orator will cause great demand for places in the Senate chamber. (e 2 UNION OF ' THE MINORITY. Democrats and Pcpulists Meet to Consider a Candidate for Senator. SACRAMENTO, Car., Jan. 7.—Demo- crats and Populists met this evening in the Supreme Courtroom to consider what candidate the minority should support in the contest for the United States Senator- ship. Assemblyman A. B. Sanford called the conference to order. Assemblyman J. L. Dryden of San Diezo was cbosen chai man and W. T. Hamilton, clerk of the Democratic minority, acted as secretary. Senator Braunhart made a suggestion that the members organize united conference, representing all the members opposed to Republican prine ples. He stated that the call for a caucus emanated from the Assembly. The Democrats in the Senate, he remarked, were present voluntarily. The Senators attending were Langford, Braunnart, Dwyer and Hall. Among the Assemblymen were Caminetti, Godfrey, Treacy, Dryden, Keables, Boone and twenty others. 3 A motion to go into executive session vrevailed. 'When all who were not en- titled to be present were excluded, a sug- gestion was made that a choice. of the minority for United States Senator should be expressed. This suggestion precipi- tated a hot debate. The point was raised poured ont his wealth to make the cam- | paign for the free coinage of silver. L propose to cast my vote for Charley was promptly ruted out of order. Seawell’s substitute declaring agaiusta protective tariff as fostering trusts and monopolies met a similar fate. Smith and Withington (Republicans) Somé Attache Aspirants Who Claim They Were Not Treated “White” They Are Out in the Cold and Are Kicking to Keep Warm.