The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-10-23
PATTON At SANTA BARBARA.
That City Does Honor to Our
Next Congressman.
He Enlightens Them on the Rail :
road Question.
Many Republicans and Populists Won
Over to His Standard Budd
Speaks at Grass Valley.
Campaign Echoes.
leecial to the HERALD.

<pectal to the HERALD.
SANTA BARBARA, Oct. 22.-Santa Bar
bara this evening did honor to George
Q. Patton, the next congressman from
the Sixth congressional district, by
packing the opera house TO listen to his
able and lucid explanation of the issues
Involved in this campaign.
The people of Santa Barbara had
heard, through various sources, OF the
character OF the speeches Mr.. Patton
vas making in the northern counties of
tse district, and this accounts for the
large audience that tonight greeted him.
When Patton was introduced he re-
esived reception from his hearers
which must have caused feeling of
pride to arise within him. As soon IS
tae applause subsidized he at once pro-
seeded to handle the questions involved
in the approaching state election. The
railroad question. to which he devoted
the major portion OF his time, was han
died in a mastery manner. He dis
cussed it in its broadcast scope. explain
ing how not only Santa Barbara county,
future prosperity, was at stake. he
said that unless the people sent to con-
gross men who were pledged to oppose
with all the energy, enthusiasm and
ability they possessed any bill to fund
the government debt due from the Pa.
cific railroads they would place them
selves in bondage, as far as competitive
transportation was concerned, that
would lsst for 80 years. In the strongest
terms he pladged himself to oppose any
funding bill, and to give his full support
60 such measures az would admit OF the
government purchasing the Pacific roads
and opening them up rs national high
way, to be owned and operated by the
people. This, he said, would bring
about final settlement of the transport
tion question in California, and it was
the only one that would be offered the
people for hall century. Ii they did
not settle it this year their opportunity
was gone forever for the voters OF this
generation.
Mr.. Patton's remarks were fire.
quently punctuated by the most enthu-
siastic applause. 1t was the strongest
when. in the most unmeaaured terms,
he denounced the corruption OF the
Southern Pacific company in debauch-
ing the public's servants and causing
them, by the free use of gold coin, to for
get their duty to the people and to pro.
tect the grant corporation that was
founded on robbery of the people, and
which had been conducted successfully
through 30 years of the most open, bare
faced defiance of the laws of the state.
Mr.. Patton also touched on har Dor
matters, explaining what vast benefits
would result to the people from free
and open harbor on the coast OF South
ern California. He also told how the
Southern Pacific vas by it's most strenu-
QUE efforts endeavoring TO defeat this re-
suit.
The speaker made a decidedly favor
able impression here. His speech was
free from personal abuse and it was
closely listened to throughout. Many
OF his auditors we're Populists and Re-
publicans. After the meeting quite q
number came forward and upon being
presented gave unsolicited pledges OF
support. Patton's vote in Santa Barbara
county will surprise the natives.