The record-union., 1892-11-03
a3opal Bnkt.tn a1n.nnrt.
HIS ANSWER.

Legislative Candidate Replies to the
Traffic Association.
The San Francisco Traffic Association
sent out II ali legislative nominees
throughout the State a series of questions,
amounting TO pledges if answered to the
satisfaction Of the association. These
questions included the whole scheme of
the Traffic Association relative 10 railroad
fares and treights, the return of the rail
road question to the Legislature and the
amendment of the Constitution relative
to a Railroad Commission.
One of the candidates addressed, j. S.
Alexander. has forwarded to Mr.. Leeds a
reply THAT is worthy to be read by all citi-
zens, and which for completeness chal-
enges admiration. The reply has been
made public, as had the questions, and
we copy 1t here as an example of manly
independence of expression:
MODESTO, October 81, 1892.
j. y. Leeds, Manager, TtOS. j. HdyaeS,
Secretary, IT0Dic .lSSOci,ttioA Of CttffOr-
nto, San Francisco GENTLEMEN: | beg
leave TO acknowledge receipt of your
esteemed favor of the 18th inst, covering
printed circular in which | am addressed
as candidate Tor the Assembly, pro-
pounding a series of questions, the Ques-
tons embracing political platform, or a
platform expressing line of policy con-
corning the legal adjustment Of transpor-
tation i'll this state.
AS L understand it, your organization
is an association of merchants of San
Francisco, and that its object is to take
care of the commercial relations of your
city with the interior, and to so adjust
rates of transportation as to favor your
city as distributing point on this coast.
| beg leave to say that / have received
the nomination at the hands of my party
in the counties of Stanislaus and Mer-
ced; that in seeking 10 represent this
constituency | stand pledged by all hon
orable imputations to subserve their in
terests to the very best of my ability.
All questions Of transportation, and the
legal regulation and adjustment of those
questions affecting my constituency, will
receive my very earnest consideration,
and l shall vote upon such measures in
way that will promote to the highest de-
gree the welfare of the people who will
honor me with election.
l do not think any candidate has a
right, after accepting nomination at the
hands of his party upon a platform form
ulated by his party, pledged to the prin-
ciples enunciated in that platform, to
create new platforms for himself after he
has accepted the nomination and the con-
vention which nominated him has adj
journed.
l beg leave to assure you, as I have as
sured the people of the district [ aspire
to represent, that, in my election to the
Assembly, my own individual Judgment
will be my guide as to matters Of legisla-
ton; that l am not under obligation to
any coterie of men; that 1 am not bound
by any pledges other than those made to
my party and the natural implication Of
my duty to my constituency; that [ will
be independent, and that l shall vote for
the best interests of the constituency [
shall represent.
In addition to your esteemed favor
am in receipt of other communications
from persons who claim the right to fore
stall my action for certain legislative
questions affecting various interests and
upon which much difference of opinion
exists. If all the societies, combinations
and organizations of various kinds are to
be answered as to matters of legislation
the entire field of legislation will be COW
cred and it will remain only for members
of the body to ratify the conclusions OF
those who had formulated the pledges.
The counties | represent have agriculture
as the leading industry, and l have in
dulged the hope that L may be able to
promote that great industry by such ap-
propriate legislation as might advance its
interests. L recognize transportation as
a leading factor in production, and if |
am honored by an election | shall be un-
der no obligation to any corporation or
individual which will prevent me from
deyoting my best ability, highest intelIi-
gence and my most earnest purpose to
promote the best interest of the counties
| shall represent in the Legislature.
i trust this letter will be received in the /
very amicable spirit in which it is writ
ten, and l beg leave to remain your
obed;ent servant, }. S. ALEXANDER.