Sacramento daily record-union., 1889-06-16
THIRTY YEARS AGO.
THE CONVENTION THAT CHOSE LELAND
STAMFORD FOR GOVERNOR,
Colonel L. d. Baker and Frank NJ Pix
ley Have a Lively Tilt-Interesting
Early-Day Incidents.

On the 8th of June, 1859, the Republican
State Convention met in the Congregational
Church in this city. 1t was called to order
by F. P. Tracy, Chairman of the State Cen
tral Committee, and Ira P. Rankin was
chosen Chairman pro TEN. and E. w. Hill
yer of Placer Secretary. There were about
100 delegates present. a. A. Sargent,
Frank NJ. Pixley and Frank F. Fargo were
prominent members. The Sacramento del
egation was composed of Leland Stanford,
Charles Crocker, c. T. H. Palmer, n. D.
Thayer, ]. Beach, George l. Lytle Cornell
ius Cole, Mark Hopkins, 1. B. Marshall,
S. S. Holl, A. B. Nixon and l.. Hermance.
The platform and resolutions were re-
ported by the silver-tongued Edward D.
Baker. who. himself, assembled to the plat
form and read them to the Convention in a
manner that set the vast assemblage
almost wild with enthusiasm. The first
person proposed for the nomination for
Governor was Frank NJ. Pixlev, who
declined the honor. The President then
announced the names of Leland Stanford
and E. D, Baker. The latter arose and an.
nounced that he would take the privilege
of his age and withdraw his name, at the
same time asking the Convention to nom-
mate Leland Stanford by acclamation. At
this there was great cheering and the Con-
yent1on unanimously did as requested.
MIR. Stanford made speech, in which he
said, among other things:
Were an aspiring man, seeking political sta
tion, might hesitate about allowing myself to
be placed IN this position. But l have no polit-
1cal aspira. ions; am contend to be an humble
citizen. But, on an occasion like this when
every Republican should be willing to give his
services to the great cause, and when the party,
IN Convention assembled, demand my services
and my name, they are most welcome to them
Applause feel, Mr.. President that the cause
IN which we are engaged is one of the greatest
IN winch any one can labor. 1t is the cause of
the white man-the cause of free labor, of ius-
tIce, and OF equal rights. Applause =
We OF California are in favor of a transconti-
mental railroad by that natural route which the
emlgrant in coming to this coast has pointed
out to us. Applause l am in favor of the
railroad, and it is to the policy of this State to
l iayor that party which is likely to advance
thelr Interests Although not much OF
a t8lker, if the occasion should seem to demand
1t, shall be ready TO go out and speak to the
people OF the tate. Applause
The rest of the ticket was then nomi-
mated as follows: Lieutenant Governor.
James F. Kennedy, of Santa Clara; Su.
preme Justice, Oscar NJ. Shafter Clerk of
the Supreme Court S. d. Parker, of Te-
hama Cornelius Cole, of Sacramento, de-
cLning); Treasurer, ?. ?. Caine, of Butte
lCharles Crccker declinipg); Controller, J.
R. Clark, of Ell Dorado; Surveyor General.
a. w. Randall, of Santa Clara Superin-
tendent of Public instruction, S. w.
Brown, of Sonoma On. Slater, of Sacra-
mento, deClining); State Printer Murdock.
of Santa Clara; Attorney General, H. S.
Love, OF San Francisco; Congressman
Northern District) ?. II. Sibley, of Placer;
(Southern District, +. d. Baker. > n
In an editorial reviewing the nominations,
the UNION said: I'VE think it safe to saw
that the Republican ticket is composed of
men against whom no valid objection
can be raised
Just before the adjournment of the
State Convention, Frank Pixley made a
speech in which he expressed the hope
that Colonel Baker (who had defeated him
for the nomination fer Congress), was an
''uncompromising Republican" This
brought the eloquent Baker to his feet, and
he delivered one of the most impassioned
addresses of his life, though brief, concluding
with these words Gentlemen, allow me
to say that l shall, in the nomination you
have given me, remain bound by the feel
ings and views of this Convention-as
leader or follower, as officer or soldier
with sword or musket-Whether beaten or
successful-now, as in the past, and as long
as | live, | shall adhere TO the principles |
have always professed, and conform my
actions to your views, always within the
limits of truth and honor"
But few years later the gallant Baker
gave proof OF his devotion to principle by
laying down his life at Balls Bluff while
leading his brigade of Union soldiers to
battle. Mr.. Pixley is the present editor of
the San Francisco Argond,H
THE UNION of the 10th makes the
following correction, showing that the ed
itors then wrote as illegible " fists " as they
do nowadays, or that the intelligent com
positor was then in existence In our
reference yesterday TO the Republican
nominee for Governor LELAND Stanford
we intended TO say that he was a man OF
handsome talents, but the types made US
say that he has some talents, which was
paying him rather doubtful compliment -
THE Sacramento County Anti LIE.
compton Convention met on June 9, 1859
and was called to order by B. B. Redding
]. H. Ralston, of Tivoli, was chosen Chair.
man pro tenn, and H. T. Holmes Secretary
The list of delegates embraced many gen.
tlemen who have since achieved distinc
ton at the bar, in the business world, and
in the various walks of life, and some oi
them are still citizens of Sacramento.
......On the Sth of June L. Farmer, pro.
prietor of the ST. Charles Hotel on J street
between Eighth and Ninth, was taking an
afternoon siesta on lounge in his office
some person slipped in and quietly relieved
him of his watch and spare change.
On the night Of the Sth the heavens
were illuminated by the most brilliant
display ofaurora boreals ever witnessed in
this part OF the country. The writer, then
residing in Napa, well remembers the dis.
play. 1t was about midnight, and the
whole north and northwestern heavens
were Illuminated by the gorgeous DIV.
roteChnics OF Nature in comparison with
which the greatest efforts of mankind
would be hardly as "tallow DIP" The
lights took on all the varying hues of the
rainbow, changing with kaleidoscope
rapidity, and shooting from the horizon tC
zenith. Persons who had never witnessed
anything of the kind were awe.stricken
and Indians became terrified. The heav-
ems were for half an hour so brilliantly
lighted that the finest print could be read
with ease in the open air.
ALL France was excited over an at
tempt made by a member of the Mari
anne upon the life of Emperor Loui:
Napoleon TIE would-be assassin was 8
SAAh-N 6aftA 4-4SAS' RIlc VI SdlllLdllOI
to which he belonged had delegated hin
(by the drawing of numbers) to poignarG
the Emperor. The particulars of the affair
had not, however, become known.
-. Gregory presented the UNION with
branch of gooseberry bush from Sol
Runyon's ranch, on the Sacramento river
which was so heavily loaded with berries
as TO be regarded as a wonder in those days
Mr.. Runyon IS still in the fruit business
hale and hearty.
The Webb Sisters were then plavins
an engagement al the Metropolitan Thea
ter in this city.
THE press of the East was publish
ing humorous accounts of fist fight be
tween General Leslie Coombs, of Lexing
ton, KY, and Henry T. Duncan, banke
of that city. Coombs was referred to a,
"a gladiator somewhere between one hun
dred and two hundred years of age, agilt
as a cat, game as a rooster, and one whit
hits stra;g gbi ont from the shoulder" Dun
can was described as youth of some sew
enty years. but Coombs succeeded in doin!
him up all the same.
John Ballmer, from Shasta, created
q sensation in San Francisco by lushinl
through the streets crying Murder H,
had just landed at night from the Sacra
mento steamer, with $1,000 on his person
and some parties attempted to garrote him
He broke loose, however, and ran up tht
streets yelling as above stated. The polic,
took him in charge, but he continued 4
shout :. Murder ~ while heinc led m hrougL