The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-29
Senator Perkins Back
From the East.
SAYS HE IS GLAD OF 1T.
has Strong Hopes That He Will
Be Reelected.
HE OPPOSED THE FUNDING BILL.
Because he Thought 1t Would
Not Be Good for the
People.
HE OPPOSED THE FUNDING BILL,

morning and spent most of the day with
his business and political friends. He
was seen last night at his home on Yer
non Heights, Oakland. and he said he
was glad 10 be there.
Il am a domestic mana home man. "
said he, land l know of no brighter spot
in all the world than this"
Have you come to California 10 give
your personal attention TO the Senatorial
fight"' was asked.
Yes and no. came back because it is
my home and because my term Of Office
has all but expired. Congress has done
nothing SO far this session. and outside of
routine business l do not think it will do
much. unless il is possibly to pass the
Nicaragua canal bill. Yes. l think the
canal bill Will get through On that measure
my vote is paired with that of Senator
Roach of North Dakota. who Is opposed to
il. There is not much indueement for a
man To stay in Washington unless he is
busy, particularly when all he holds dear
is on the other side of the country. Natu-
rally, too, want to see how things are 60
ing here. All my business interests are
on this coast. While here l shall also
naturally enough take an interest in what
L
have made a faithful representative of
The people. At any rate l have had their
interests solely in view in all my acts ard
/ feel they appreciate it. They made me
their Governor and instructed largely for
me for the United States Senate, and l feel
they have confidence in ME. l am simply
their servant in my present capacity and
have always felt myself in touch with
hon, f,,o ] lO- oh ont
and public official"
do you consider your chances of re-
election good ?" was asked.
Yes; l feel very hopeful. am confident,
indeed, and my friends feel as | do. l
have received some very encouraging
letters from members-elect of the Legis-
lature from ali portions of the State. ana L
think my reelection almost certain. Or
course, there is nothing certain in politics.
You will remember that A. A. Sargent
went to Sacramento certainly elected. He
went home a defeated man. l will say
that beyond the honor L have nothing to
gain by being United States Senator. 1t
takes all the salary to live in Washington,
and it would have to be ve-y much larger
to tempt me from my home. ordinarily.
But | feel as confident as 8 man can feel
who has done his duty that will be
returned"
"Do you consider that there are formid-
able powers working against your re-
election? Is the railroad opposing you?"
There are strong forces at work to de-
feat me. For instance. there are many
good men whose names have been men,
toned and some l know are avowed candi-
dates. Among the names mentioned for
NJ Al
Estee, Judge Whitney, Mr.. Bonebrake.
Judge Fitzgerald, Irving M. Scott Gen.
eraI Chipman. W. Fl. Mills, Grove John
son. T. G. Phelps, Judge De Haven. Jacob
Netf, c. II. Phillips, John +. Davis and
Mr.. de Young. Bat the field is an open
one and all can come in who wish. / ask
only fair treatment and shall give 1t. |
understand that the railroad is against me.
Just why I don't know, unless it is be-
cause l am for the people. [ should think
that they ought not 10 oppose me on this
ground unless they are against the people.
/ try to deal fairly with the railroad and
the people. True, l opposed the funding
bill and so declared from the stump all
over the State, and l shall continue to OPP
pose it. because l think it is against the
interests of the people.
sit is not true" Senator Perkins con-
tinued. that Isecured the appointment to
the Office by pledging myself TO support
the Reilly bill or any other railroad meas
ure. There was no such force at work in
my behalf. Indeed. think l was rather
a compromise candidate. Personally was
for Mr.. Estee. The Legislature meets
Monday next, but do not know that |
shall 90 up TO Sacramento. l may after
awhile.
About the delegates. l shall secure
enough from the country 10 elect me. be-
sides several from San Francisco. The
latter gentlemen l do not know, except ir
a few instances, aud these few have as
sured me that there are quite a number
among the San Francisco delegation who
feel favorably toward me. While they are
not pledged to me, 90 not believe they
are pledged against me, and / think my
chances ale as good as any of the other
candidates"
Senator Perkins referred to the Oakland
meeting which twas made famous by hav-
ing Steve Gage as chairman. He said
when he arrived in Oakland on that occa-
sion he found the local Republicans in a
ferment. 1t was reported that Gage would
be chairman of the meeting, and he was
asked not to speak on the same platform
with him.
''Itold them." said the Senator, shat did
not see any reason why L should not, that
Gage could not hurt me. surely. and il
Huntington himself appeared on the stand
l would be there and speak, because l was
so advertised and would disappoint no one.
But IL was very amusing. all of il. I
spoke to Mr.. Gage about it. and told him
it was in bad taste for him to appear in
the face of the opposition. and l did not
understand why he did so, unless it was
TO defeat Mr. Estee; but Gage was per-
sistent. he said he did not understand
why he. as Republican. could not appear
on the platform. he did appear, and Mr..
Hiiborn did not; and lneyer quite under
stood what it was all about, and suppose
l never will"