The morning call., 1894-06-02

Inc democracy OIL AIaUeua OOuuLE ISIu
a whirlwind Of excitement over develop
ments of the last few days regarding the
Oakland postmastership, about which
there has been much talk of late as to the
chances OF the res pectve candidates.
1t was thought pretty certain that the
appointment of Mr.. White, who was
recommended by Congressman English,
was fairly certain, while the friends Of
Cleve Dam were also busy in his interests
The name of Councilman Smell had also
been mentioned. but not with much
thought of success of ''kD ocking the per-
simmon," and it was the bringing of this
last factor into the fight that has caused
all the row that is going on. and which
will leave at least one ReDu blican IN nigh
standing in an unenvIable pos ItIOu.
There have come to light some very I'M
pleasant things, and Colonel Z. Il. Mey-
ers, the chairman of the Republican State
Central Committee, and chairman Of the
Alameda delegation to the next Republican
convention, will have some explaining 10
DO as to Just how a1d why he got mixed
UP 10 a Democratic fight in connection
with railroad attorney, who is also Re-
publican.
F. f. Mofitt of the Oakland Times, who
seems to be taking leading interest in
the fight of Mr.. White, said last night:
''Y es there is a very interesting story
connected with this matter, and FL tell
you about it.
Colonel F. q. Meyers and G. w. Baker.
late of Nevada. now of Oakland, an attor-
ney for the Southern Pacific Railroad. but
who was formerly a Democratic member
of the Nevada Legislature. and a bowling
anti-monopolisJ until he developed into
railroad attorney. became bosom friend
of Colonel Meyers when he came TO Cali
foTnia and joined the Republican party.
The association Of the two men was very
close as will be seen in the matter OF the
Oakland postmastership.
Now. a year ago, when the City Council
began its attack on the railroad waterfront
property, the alarm went out that every
thing belonging to the company would be
torn down and dragged TO the corporation
ward. One night Mr.. Baker and Mr..
TOwne appeared a. a Council mesting and
some very important anti-railrOad legiSla-
ton was defeated because of the votes OF
Mr.. Smell and several others. who made up
a majority. Before this Smell had been a
pronounced anti-railrOad man, but after
Towne's remarks anu Bakers grooming
he voted the other way. and since that
time be has been termed a candidate for
the Oaklands pOstmasJership. His friends
and Baker particularly were very sanguine
he would get the prize.
"Ten days ago q gentleman approached
Colonel Meyers and asked him if he would
add his Endorsement as a citizen Of Oak
land to Mr.. Whites petition for the post
mastership. He replied that be could not
because he had Endorsed Mr.. Dam for the
position. [ would like to say here that all
candidates. irrespective of party, have re-
eeived the Endorsements of citizens of Oak
land.
"a week ago a telegram was received
from reliable source at Washington stat
ing that Meyers had signed a telegram to
Washington which made charges of incom-
alc
more serious charges against his character.
When Meyers was approached regarding
this matter be stated he did no. know but
he had, but stated that while he was not
In position to make an explanation,
there was a big story behind the whole
matter, and that he had placed himself in
a terrible hole regarding the Oakland Post
Office. A telegram was sent on to Wash
jngton which stated that Mr.. White was
an honoTed and respected citizen of Oak
land, and this Mr. Meyers signed.
This was on Monday last. and on that
day the telegram was sent to Washington.
In conversation with friend who went to
Meyers on that day, he said he was very
sorry be had got into the Oakland Post
office matter at all, but was compelled to
sign telegram rejecting on the compe-
tencv of Mr.. White.
THAT same day both Meyers and Baker
went TO the railroad Offices at Fourth and
Townsend streets aud there met Mr.. Mills.
l happened to be in the building at the
time, and at my appearance Meyers and
Baker appeared much disturbed.
Explanations were then in order, and
Mr.. Mills explained TO me that Meyers had
signed the protest against White in favor
of Mr. Smell at the solicitation of ATTORNEY
Baker. Meyers stated that he did not know
White, but that Baker asked HIM to sign
it. MIR, Mills denied that tho railroad
wanted TO interfere in any way in the
matter, and that what Baker had done
was on his own responsibility. His con-
duet IN the matter was entirely unauthor-
lied, Mr.. Mills said, and il was not the
policy of the railroad company to inter-
fere.
"Baker admitted that he brought the
protest 10 Meyers and stated that Mr..
Huntington and the railroad company de-
sired his signature TO the document
Baker admitted that he aid not know
White, but based his telegram on the state
ment of Thomas Agnews, who was a can
didate for the Council on the Non.Parti-
san ticket at the last election, but was
defeated"
The above is the story in full, and now
Mr.. Smell and Mr.. .Agnews and Colonel
Meyers and Lawyer Baker will have some
very uncomfortable explanations to make
The matter has shaken the Oakland
Demo cracy to its very foundation. and
wsid and stormy meeting of the faithful
was in progress in the private Office of
Mvf1itt last night.