The morning call., 1894-03-01
THE POLITICAL SITUATION.
Republicans More Than Confident
of Victory.
HE BUSY GUBERNAToRIAL BEE.
New Candidates Being Put to the
Front Every Day-The Men
Most Talked About.

There seems to be an idea among Re-
| publicans that no m after who the man Is
that secures a nomination on the State
| ticket this year, his election is certain.
This very impression is giving the Re-
publican leaders more anxiety just now
than anything else, for they realize thai
while having decided advantage in the
start the party is liable to lose through the
Oyercontidence of the rank and file.
Anyhow, there is no lack of available
| material to fill the nominations. A whole
swarm of gubernatorial bees have been lei
loose within the past ten days, and they
are doing an amount of buZZing that dis
turbs the serenity of the gentlemen who
usually enjoy nap at the Union League
Club in the afternoons. Until a few days
ago the fight for the gubernatorial nomina-
ton, Notwithstanding the host of candi-
dates, was practically admitted to be
narrowed down to w. S. Barnes. Frank
Coombs and Jake Neff, with the proverb-
lal dark horse in the back ground. Barnes
and Coombs were supposed to represent
d OF only the young men of California, but
the northern ana central portion Of the
Stale. while Neff is known as "the admin
is,ratiOn candidate" that is, Governor
Marx hams choice as his successor.
1t Will hardly be questioned that the San
Francisco Republicans will demand, as
their right, the naming of the candidate
for Governor, and they are going to ask,
too. that the nominee be a San Francisco
man. Failing in this the northern portion
of the State would be backed by San Fran
cisco in its demand for the candidate, and,
being young mans year." Barnes and
Coombs have been looked upon TO fight
Neff for the political plum.
Rut now fhpra is nn0fher Riphmnnd in
the field, and the talk about him is ncreas-
ing daily. The new man is eX-United
States Senator A. z. Williams, who for
more than twenty years has been an active
party-worker. Mr.. Williams was paid the
high compliment some years ago OF being
elected United States Senator, vice Miller,
deceased, when he was absent from the
State. At the time OF MilIer's death Will
liams was In Maine visiting his relatives,
and only returned here when notified of
his election. He has twice served as chair
man of the Republican State Central Com
mittee, and both times the party was vic
toriOus. 1t will be seen, therefore, that
Mr.. Williams goes into the fight with good
backing.
Senator Williams could not be seen last
night, but through General John McComb
the following authorized statement was
made as TO his position in regard TO his
candidacy for the gOvernorship:
SeudtOT w ilidnS le6iS lDlS way about
the matter" SAID General McCOmb. "He
has all along steadily declined the over
lures made him by the Republicans to be-
come their candidate for Governor in the
next campaign, and he now feels that
friends of his have been led by his refusals
to come forward and make a fight for the
nomination who would not have done so
had they known he would be a candidate.
For this reason he says that he will make
no effort In the fight as he prefers the
friendship and good will of the men to
whom he has repeatedly stated he would
DOT be an applicant for the nOmina-
ton, TO their enmity upon a charge of
bad faith. Again. Senator Williams in
tends to 20 abroad in short time. to be
gone several months, and he says that be-
ing 62 years of age. with only eight more
years TO make out his three score and ten.
he would prefer to spend the time in
bis own way instead of engaging in the
turmoil OF political campaign, which, il
he wOn, would saddle upon him for four
years the onerous duties Of chief exeeu-
live OF the State.
But notwithstanding his objections as
mentioned, Senator Williams has also said
that ii, without his seeking and 10 his ab-
sence. the gu5eTnatoriaI nomination
should be rendered him, he would not de-
cline II. but would hasten home and do his
best to again lead the party to victory.
las to Senator Williams strength in the
party and in the State there can be no
question:" continued the veteran Republi-
can. He stands in the front rank of
available men for the governorship and
has a record that none can surpass and