The morning call., 1894-05-09
PERKINS OPINION.
Suggestion Made by the
Senator.
lie Wants County Conventions to
Express Their Preference for the
United States Senatorskip.

When Colonel John p. Jackson introduced
his resolution at the meeting of the Republican
State Central Committee Thursd y last. regard
ing expression of preference for United States
Senator by county conventions, 1t was referred
to the next State convention. The chief reason
why this was disposed of In so summary way
was the small number OF delegates present,
there being only Ga out of 116 in the hall at the
time. and the majority OF these were opposed
TO any such course. Ii seems TO be pretty gen.
orally conceded that if the county conventions
expressed their preference IL would not
be several of tie candidates now In The held.
The action of the committee deferred Colonel
F. IL. Meyers, the chairman, from introducing
letter from United States Senator Perkins
giving that gentleman's Endorsement OF the
method proposed by Colonel jackson. This
letter was received by Chairman Meyers sew
eral weeks ago. The colonel considers Senator
Perkins views on his important question are
pubic property, and yesterday furnished IL 10
CALL reporter. OF course, If county conven-
tions should so express their Preference 1t
would be In The nature of Instructions TO their
legislative nominees:
The letter of Senator Perkins reads as
follows:
UNITED STATES SENATE,
WASHINGTON, ID. C.. March 16, 1894.
Hon. f. II. Meyers. Chairman Republican State
Central LonaDltttee, Oakland, Cal My DEAR
COLONEL: take the lIuerty of making a sugges
tion TO you and the state Central Committee for
consideration at Its coming meeting Though
recognize the fact that L have more right to
mdho the lHdn any Que else, L
alsofeel that you and your committee. as mem
bers of the Republican party, will consider any
suggestions which you think are for the best in
terests of party and the state.
My suggestion IS that your committee request
the various county committees in their calls for
the county conventions to select candidates for
election announce that 1t Is desirable that the
county conventions express preferences as to can
didates for the position OF United States Senator.
In this way those nominated the legislative
ticket can degree be instructed to vote for
the election of the choice of their county conven-
tion.
There is a bill pending in the United States SEN
ate to elect Senators by the popular vote OF the
people. his believe and hope will ultimately
be passed; but, as you know. 1t will require an
amendment to the constitution OF the United
States, and 1t Will be several years before the
am mendment can be adopted. / am firm believer
in the principle involved in that an opportunity
should be offered wb ereby they can express their
wishes in this important matter
The interests OF Calf ornia In the choice of Sen
ator great and important that the Senator
who may be elected should not be handicapped
by any such charges or reflections have from
time to time been made after the election. 1t
seems TO me that the best plan until the amend
ment giving the peopiT the right to vote directly
for Senator has been adopted. will be to allow the
various county conventions to express their
choice. Every candidate for the high honor of
United States Senator will, 1 believe. favor this
some similar pl an that will bring the question
close to the people. with whom their representa-
tives in Congress should be in touch and sympa-
thy.
earnestly hope that your committee will look
with favor upon the plan suggested, whereby the
people OF California can carry Into effect the re-
form which the very large popular vote at the last
State election showed they desired. Yours very
truly GEO. G. PERKINS.