The herald., 1894-08-03
GOV. HAMKRAM's LETTER.
Tho Executive of Ainrefllae to His
People.

Tho Executive of Ainrefllae to His
People.
DEAR PARps Now that IL seems -
if there were no danger in expressing
my views. and that l may be able, like
the Dutchman who climbed the tree to
pick his frau some spples with which to
make plum pudding, to fall with one
leg on both sides OF the fence" do not
hesitate to say to the people what have
done. | feel that | may be allowed to
confess that did not foresee the recent
earthquake in Southern California,
which | WAS SO fortunate as to escape,
and was equally unable to predict the
last dry season. But, lest this should
cause some of my devoted friends to fear
that | may not know enough to 90 in
out OF the rain,. would call your atten-
ton to the fact that was providential-
ly guided, so that was at my palstial
residence in Pasadena when the strike
storm broke on the Capital city; and
thus it was possible for me to sit on a
we'll stuffed chair in that mansion, IT,
stead of etraddling the fence at Sacra-
mento. And here would sug-
gest, for the beneht OF my
successors in Office, that such
h
far more comfortable, and far better
fitted for the governor OF the state than
the wire fence in our capital, the latter
being composed of soldiers bayonetB.
1t ia my pleasure to inform you that
faithfully. although at safe distance,
discharged my duties during the trying
times just passed. There is a legal
maxim. Qui facit per alum fscit per SO,
of which the English is, Who does by
another does by himself. Therefore,
being fully determined to discharge my
full duty az n-chief of the
state militia, l promptly ordered the
major-general to perform everything
which l could have done ii personally
present. Thus, yeu will perceive, l
showed that my knowledge of law was
OF the greatest assistance to me. And
l do not hesitate to admit that should
have been willing to accept for myself
all credit for any wisdom and courage
exhibited by said general. But know
that have your sympathy when l de-
clare that could not sustain the dignity
of the high Office which the San Francisco
bosses conferred upon me, were l to con-
slider myself in any way responsible for
the lack of wisdom which characterised
the major-genersl's campaign. 1t 10
only due to you and to myself that
declare that when in Office or when seek-
ing Office l shall have the selirespect
and the regard for the dignity of my po-
sition to deny all responsibility for, or
knowledge of, anything to my dis
credit. In proof OF which l need only
refer you to my denial of the authorship
of the "Old Pard Letter." and to my lay
ing the entire blame OF my substitutes
fasco upon his shoulders.
l do not know to what to ascribe it,
unless is may have been special provi-
dence, that. just in the nick of time. it
was borne in upon me that steamer
would sail for San Francisco just as the
strike WAS about to be abandoned. in.
tend to ascertain whether or not snch an
event ever before occurred. 1t enabled
me to reach the state house in time,
after waiting few days for needed rest,
to issue the orders to dismiss the troops
to their homes. This did with the de-
cision and intrepidity which have al
ways been my characteristics. To refer
again to one of tbs most honorable cpl
sodes in my history, those qualities were
displayed in this case with the same
presence of mind which l exhibited in
denying the authorship of that "Old
Pard Letter." which court has recently
decided that | wrote.
The present condition OF the strike
and the retirement of Mr.. Debs from
the strike bnBiness make this an oppor-
tune time for me to express my decided
conviction that the strike was failure,
unless something should occur hereafter
to make it prove sHccess. And | do
not hesitate boldly to declare that here
alter all who do not desire to take part
in a strike would consult their own
opinions by keeping out of it. Even my
position as governor of this great state
ehall not hinder me from full, free and
frank expression Of my deep-seated con-
victons ON so important subject. No
fear OF the consequences to myself will
ever stand in the way of q courageous
discharge of this duty.
H. III. HAMCRAM,
Hexecutive and High Cockolorum.