Los Angeles herald., 1890-05-13
A misunderstanding that Will
Make Trouble.
The Choosing of Delegates to
the Convention.
The Markham Men Inclined to Disre-
gard the Call.
They Propose to Nominate Delegates the
Old Way-Markham Goes to
Washington.

When the call for the state republican
convention was issued short time ago,
a method for choice of delegates was
prescribed, which was different from
that which has prevailed heretofore.
Instead of having the delegates elected
by the various township delegations in
the county convention, it was ordered
that, in all counties casting over 5000
republican votes, the delegates shall be
chosen directly by vote at the primaries.
The county convention would, of course,
be held, but the election of delegates to
the state convention should be no part
of its duties.
The method of choosing state delegates
at the primaries is coming into vogue in
the eastern states, and it is supposed to
have the advantage OF preventing local
combinations, trading for candidates,
packing of state conventions and various
other forms OF disorder which sometimes
prevail in the party of high moral ideas.
This plan was very far from being ac-
ceptable to the republican politicians of
this county, as it put a spoke in the
wheels of the Markham machine. If a
county convention could be held it could
easily be manipulated in Markham's
favor, and the will of the majority could
probably force solid delegation.
Coroner Meredith was seen by re-
porter of this paper last evening, and
asked what were the plans of the local
republican managers in the matter. He
said ''We do not regard it as an order
but as recommendation which we may
or may not carry out, as we please. We
have decided to pursue the old method
that is, hold county convention, and
allow the townships to chorse their del
egates to the state convention. The
suggestion was made for political reasons,
applying only to the northern part of
the state"
Now it is alleged that the plan of the
Markham men is to take entire posses
sion OF the convention, indorse the
nomination of their favorite candidate
with hurrah, and pass a series of reso-
lutions demanding his nomination for
Governor. Back of this lies another
plan which nobody says much of any,
thing about. That is to secure the con-
gressional nomination for Mr.. Markham
if he fails of carrying off the guber-
material prize. 1t is not known that the
candidate himselfis party to the scheme,
but it is said that some of his most
active friends are quietly working in
that direction. They are aware of the
TACT that his chances for nomination for
governor are very good at the present
writing, but as the convention does not
take place until the middle of August,
a variety of things may happen in the
meantime, and an anchor to windward
would come very handy.
There are plenty Of candidates for
congressional honors in the southern
part of the state There were formerly
several in Los Angeles county, but since
the leading republicans of the vicinity
have put themselves on record as favor
ing the nomination of Markham for
governor and abandoning all other Los
Angeles men who aspire to other posi-
tions, most of their candidates are from
outside of this county. San Diego and
San Bernardino counties both have
favorite sons. 1t is said that their
friends are anxious to have the district
convention for the nomination of con-
gresham held before the general state
convention; otherwise the Los Angeles
county Markham delegation might
promise to support this and that con-
gressional candidate to secure votes, and
then when their man failed of his
game, enter him for the other fight.
United States Marshal Gard, who is
said to be identified with the Markham
element, has called a meeting of the con-
gressiOnal committee. 1t is said to be
part of the plan to arrange for an ad-
JOurnment from the convention at Sac
ramento to some place inside the dis
trict for the congressional nomination.
Ii this plan should be adopted it would
involve the holding of the congressional
convention after the other, which is the
point the Markham people wish to gain.
The situation is an entertaining one.
and one out of which various lively com
plications may grow. The proposition
that the method of selecting delegates
to the state convention was intended in
the call as merely suggestion is hooted
at by those opposing the Mark
ham movement. 1t came in the
shape of a report of a committee, which
was adopted as the rule of the party. 1t
is asserted that if the delegates from
Los Angeles county are not chosen in
accordance with the requirements of the
call there willibe good chance, if the
fight wakes very hot, for an opposing
delegation. The people who are looking
out for the interests Of candidates for
other places on the ticket will be on
their guard to prevent any slaughtering
Of their friends, and before the conven-
tion comes off there is likely to be very
pretty row in the camp.
The arrival of w. III. Sears, collector
OF internal revenue at San Francisco, in
the city, is thought to have significant
bearing at this stage of the game. 1t is
well known that Mr.. Sears is warm
supporter of Senator Stanford, and it is
limited that he is interested in the
fight that is being made for Stanford's
reelection. The fact that he had an in
terview with Colonel Markham yester-
day, and that today Colonel Markham
will start for Washington, has bearing
that is unmistakable. 1t leads many to
believe that an effort is on foot to com
bine the Markham and Stanford forces
in the coming campaign, and the oppo-
nents of both men are fearful that this
combination will be brought about. 1t
would take strong movement to get
away with the nominations in the face
of such combine.