The morning call., 1894-05-04
RUMORS AMONG POLITICIANS.
Mysterious Conferences Said to
Have Been Held.
c. p. HUNTINGTON INTERVIEWED.
He Indignantly Denies That Buckley
Will Do Business for the Railroad
in a Political Way.


and subtle ex-boss of the local Demo
cracy. Christopher A. Buckley, from his
exile in foreign parts. and his appear
ancs in his old haunts. accompanied by
his man Friday. Jake Rudolph, there has
been considerable speculation among the
workers in the political hive as to how TO
place him in making up their charts for
the coming campaign.
There seems to be pretty general i'm
preston among them that the deposed
boss, who covered before the scowl of
Grand Jury, is going to be sin it," but
how, when or just where forms the puzzle
which they are trying to solve.
Day By day, as the political atmosphere
becomes more and more resonant with the
buzZing of gu0ernat0rial, legislative and
all manner of bees which swarm in cam
paign year and on every hand is.heard the
grinding of candidates axes the impress
sion becomes stronger.
or course the willy Christopher himself
smiles blandly when these gossipy rum ors
are broached in his presence, and remarks
in his guileless way that nothing is further
from his thoughts than any idea of getting
mixed up In the whirlpool of politics
again.
In fact, it is said that on one of these oc-'
caslons he inquired feeingy of his trusty
henchman, Jake, as to whether primary
election was new method of instructing
children how to vote that had been inau-
gurated in his absence.
When Jake is assailed by some OF the
''old gang" as to the motives and inten-
tions of his superior he assumes grim as
pect of countenance, and assures the ques-
toner that 1.-THE old man. y see, Is out of
the ring, and him and me are going to be-
grangers now."
Il is true that for some time after his
return Buckley lived on his Livermore
ranch and that he and Jake kept alive
their remembrance of old times by raising
cabbages in ''blocks of five," but it was
only for time. and now the willy ex-boss
has taken up his quarters in this city. He
has located with his family In the old
home of the Manhattan Club, on the south
west corner of Bush and Stockton streets.
Buckley owns this property, and it was
here that the members of his once prosper
Gus club, the Manhattan. held their
leyees, high jinks and conferences.
1t is this move of Buckley's that has
given rise to the many rumors that are
afioat as to his intentions to have hand
in the making of the political dumplings of
this year.
During the past few days one rumor has
gained currency around the political CEN
ters that has caused considerable uDeasi-
ness in certain quarters where Bucklev's
movements were watched with interest.
1t is that of late Buckley has had several
conferences with some officials OF the
Southern Pacific Railroad Company who
intyears past have been conspicuous in
manipulating politics. supposedly in the
interests Of that company. 1t is what
these conferences portend that is causing
an agitation of the gray matter in the
brains of the political camp-followers.
Yesterday the rumors reached head
and eliminated in a report that Buckley
had been or was to be engaged to handle
little business for the railroad company
during the coming campaign and In behalf
of legislative ticket.
With view of ascertaining. if possible,
what truth there might be in such a re-
port CALL reporter invaded the sane
tuary of C. P. Huntington yesterday.
When informed of the nature of the re-
porter's mission the astute railroad mag
nate lolled back in his easy chair, swung
his eyeglass. attached to siIken cord,
around his hand, and remarked slowly:
Buckley, you say. to handle our poll
tics? What Buckley Is that?" and Mr..
Huntington leaned eagerly forward to
catch the answer.
"Christopher A. Buckley. sometimes
called Chris" replied the reporter.
"Ah, yes" responded Mr.. Huntington
dreamily, and fixing his eyes on the CELL
ing as if striving to recall some vision of
the past
81 believe have heard the name Chris
topher A. Buckley repeated slowly.
Isn't he considered smart man?'
"Some have considered him so politi-
cally."
"Ah." and the swinging eyeglass whirled
around more rapidly. ''and so it is re-
ported that this man-Buckley, did you
say2-yes-well. ah. that he is to manage
politics for the railroad? Could You tell
me who your informant was"
at is only a report"
"Oh," he added, with regretful tinge
In his voice. "only report. Well, you
can say from me that II is absolutely false,
and that never saw. nor do l know this
man-Buckley, / think you said. eh? And
furthermore, | would say that took this
railroad out OF politics several years ago,
and as long as l am president it will stay
out of politics. AS for this Buckley-you
said Buckley, believe-I know nothing
of him, and he has nothing to do with the
railroad company" and with another mild
i'll 1f Ii T.
closed the interview.
Ex-Boss Buckley was not to be found
last night, so what he might have to say
concerning the report is something which
is yet to be learned. Possibly he may find
some difficulty in remembering and placing
Mr.. Huntington.