Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-03-05
THE REPUBLICAN, CITY COM MITES

TSDS. RECORD-UNIoN: l HAVE OBSERVED
~ of late several articles in the Bee in
relation to the manner OF mixing the Re-
publican city nominations, which, IN me
degree bear uniusty on the City Committee OF last
year, OF which 1 hsd the honor to be mem
Der and the Secretary. They claim, as understand,
that the Crawford primary system" had been
adopted by the old committee for the purpose Of
aiding fraud In justice to the then committee
desire to say that when it was called upon to provide
for the nomination Of Second Trustee in the place
of the late Jerome G. Davis it was generally under
stood that the committee was in favor of nomi-
mating John Ryan, as against W. F, krox. The
friends of Mr. Knox being aware OF this fact pub
shed several cards, and both dailies printed edto
rial expressions in favor of Crawford primary, and
they went so far as to say that II such primary
was not called there would be bolt in the party.
The committee met in the west Courtroom Of the
Co Jr.-house on the evening Of October r. 1881
and there met with it, by invitation, number Of
prominent Republicans, whose advice was requested
Several gentlemen addressed the committee favor
of Crawford primary, and said that
il it called Mr.. Knox would receive
seven.eighths OF the votes cast. We called
Crawford primary by resolutions drawn in
strict accordance with the provisions Of the CODE
1t was held on October 10, 1881 and Ryan received
LOLA votes to 5SS Tor Knox, and yet MIR. Knox was
supported earnestly by both daily newspapers
There was no question OF fraud in this primary 1t
was accepted at the time perfectly fair express
sion of the sentiment CT the Republicans of the
city. The newspapers both referred TO it square
and regular ana llnnedlatey turned their attention
to the discussion Of Asatic political qusstions-sub-
jects which did not call for expression by the people
Of their sentiments. The following March the sem
timent OF the Republican voters again called for a
Crawford primary, and one called to nominate a
Third Trustee and other city officers and elect City
Committee This call also made in strict conform
ity with the Code. At this primary Mr.. Jones, for
Third Trustee, received the support OF the objec
tional bosses" and the virtuous managers in the
Republican party preferred Mr. Ames. The pure
men also determined to wrest from the "bosses Z"
the control Of the Central Committee. Mr. Ames
nominated and the other bossss secured the
committee by large majority. That there
was outrageous fraud committed at this
primary there is no question. 1t has
been said that tickets by the handful
went into the First Ward box and the thing was
ridiculousy overdo1e. Blu, a Pu itan committee
was s, lected at this questionable prmary-men who
claimed to be the Of political purity. They
took their places Immediately; but although the
former committee had called the primary in con-
formty with law for reasons best known 70 them
selves the new committee did not Institute an in
vestgation INFO these papabe frauds 10 fad out the
guilty parties to them, and they did not put in mo-
ton the m chIuery # the STATE Courts to punish
them for il must be recollected that the stringent
general cleo ion laws apply with equal f0rre to
primaries when called as this one was. Thenesgs-
papers even, though recognizing the fraud dId not
call upon the gentl men who bad prohted by is
fruits 10 Withdraw and reign, and they did not op-
pose the ticket
Now understand that it is proposed by scue Of
the gentlemen who were elected to the committee at
this fraudulent primary, and whose candidates Sc
cured nominations at its hands, to say to the Re-
publican vo.ers Of the city that they cannot be
trusted to have q voice in primary Of any kind
but the committee will select convention for
them The people woJld probably not object to
this if they could be convinced that these gentlemen
intended to act fairly themselves; but they are not
50 foolish as TO suppose that il such plan
is adopted it Will not be with a Wow OF nominating
men who would stand no show of nomination if the
people had fair oppo tunitY Of expression, and
that the committee have design to - elect them
selves and perpeiuate their political power. To say
that committee cannot arrange primary that will
be entirely fair is 81 iy They have but TO issue a
strict call and appoint god men election others
If this plan proposed by the committee is adopted,
no one can doubt but that the Convention will be
put up in the interest Of Mr. Knox and the present
commit teemen, and thst the friends of Mr. Ryan
will have no opportunity to be heard. Ii such
should be the result most probably the nominations
will be as valueess as enforced nominations have
heretofore been in this county.
p S-The ma Of the writer Of this is At the dis
posal OF any interested rty, WIN can obtain it at
this office but for the Information of persons woo
are not interes ell, aud who may not fee like troub
ling themselves to call, will state that bis first
name is Winfield j. Davis. m5-1t