The record-union., 1892-10-22
REPLY TO LEEDS.
|. H. Van Schaick Answers the Traffic
Association.
He Plainly States the Platform Upon
Which He Is Running for
State Senator.

All sorts of pledges are being exacted
from candidates for legislative positions.
The License Dealers Protective Associa-
ton desires to exact a pledge from every
candidate that he will do nothing to re-
strict the liquor traffic. The Prohibition
lists desire to exact a pledge that the
liquor traffic shall be regulated out of ex-
lstence. The Universal Franchise party
want pledges that constitutional amend
ments and statutory regulation shall per-
init the exercise of the elective franchise
by women.
The American Protestant Association is
solicitous about the free-school system,
and want to exact pledges that there shall
be no division of the school money. The
hlgh-hcense people are very solicitous
lest there should be any independence left
in the minds of the legislative candidates
as to what the license of the sale OF liquor
shall be; and the Traffic Association, by
divine inspiration. perhaps, has solved
the great problem of the Legislative regu-
lation OF railroads, and proposes to have
candidates accept exactly their conclu-
slons or meet with their opposition.
Thus everybody is attempting to de-
stroy in the minds OF candidates for the
Legislature all independence and to make
unnecessary, as far as possible, the par
llamentary proceeding of legislation, the
instruction of debate, the value of a COM
parison of views, the hearing and de-
termination OF matters and things which
would lead to ripe conclusions. We do
not know what answer candidates are
making to the demands of the Traffic
Association, but the Hon. l.. y. Van
Schaick has answered Mr.. Leeds as Man
ager and Thomas j. Haynes as Secretary
OF the Traffic Association in the following
letter, which is found below:
SAN FRANCISCO, oct. 20, 1899.
j. y. Leeds, Esq, Manager Of the San Fran
CISCO 1foIjtc association; 77toS. j. Haynes Esq.,
SeeTetd5Y Of the San fr0Rcsseo TrclGic ASSocid-
ttoA-GENrLEMEN am in receipt of a COM
munication from you dated San Francisco
october the 18th, tncloSing printed circular,
IN which am informed that the Trafic Asso-
clatlon has carefully considered certain trans
portation problems with reference to their in
1uence on the various industries of Califor-
MIA, and that the consideration of the associa-
tion has led 1t to certain conclusions as to the
best methods of regulation.
You ask at my hands an individual pledge
as to my course should 1 be elected to the
State senate, and in reply beg to say that l
accepted the nomination for the Office of State
Senator from the IWenty-first Senatorial Dis
tIict upon broad platform of principles
which the party comforting upon me the
honor of a nomination nave a right to expect
l will faithfully observe.
All legislation should be the result of delib-
gous TO those OF courts. The rights and inter-
ests OF the citizens of the State are affected by
legislation, and hearing should precede deter
minatiOn. To enter into a solemn pledue To
| secure the passage of such legislation as NAV
| be suggested by various small groups of the
people is to transfer the consideration OF Iegis-
| lative subjects from the floor of the Senate
and Assembly to the assembly-room of the
| societies formulating the pledge.
understand your SsocatiOn to be n vol
untary association of merchants who are
large ShlDDerS bV and nj
| concede the superiority OF the opportunities
afforded you by your calling for reaching lust
! conclusions as TO the best measures 10 be
adopted to promote the common welfare SO
! far as the common welfare is affected by rates
of transportation.
There is room, however for wide divergence
OF opinion as TO the best method OF controlling
carriers, or in other words OF adiustinp the
relations between the shipper and the carrier
1or the legislator must concede that the rights
OF the shipper and the carrier are equal before
the law. All must cOncede that no legislation
unjust to either should be enacted, nor would
such legislation stand the test ofjudiciaI in
quiry.
Answering your questions, permit me to
say, as TO the first, L am in favor of connpell-
ing railroads, banks and individuals to pay
their tull and Just quota OF taxes. am in
favor of the equitable distribution of the
burdens of Government upon the citizens of
lhe STATE am IN favor OF compelling any
one who has not paid taxes TO pay the delin-
Quency.
AS TO your second question, I shall enter
the senate, II am honored with an election
independent of any influence which would
prevent my advocating and voting for any
measure which would correct any abuse prac-
tlced by any transportation company, and if
IN my Judgment the best method of reaching
a correction of such abuse is through the
abolition OF the State Board of Railroad Com
mlssloners, am under no obligation to rail-
road corporations which would prevent nv
voting for such measure
am happy i'll the opinion that am not so
wise to-day that shall not learn something
tomorrow. My full quota of belief as to the
best method of adjusting transportation IN
production is not made up; but declare. as |
am Justified by the facts in doing that nv
Judgment as to regulative measures is ur-
| trammeled by any obligation to any mau or
set of men. l am seeking a legislative posi-
tion with the full determination to discharge
its duties according to the best of my ability:
TO legislate wisely for the highest interests OF
the people of the State of California; to protect
all men in their natural rightsand TO promote
to the best of my ability the prosperity of the
State and the establishment within her bor-
ders of a high civilization. Yours truly.
j.. II. VAN SCHAICK