The San Francisco call., 1895-11-24
THE CONVENTION PLAN A STATE MOVEMENT,

s'What of the California .delegation?"
at is TOO far in advance of the time for their
selection to speculate. They ought to be
among the best, strongest and most represen-
tative Republicans in the State, and no pre-
tenders, traders or cheap demagogues ought TO
viii select the delegates"
"What is your idea in reference to the Vice
Presidency for this coast?"
cannot see that there is anything in il A
Vice-President could do us no good. He pre.
sides in the Senate and is to some extent a
cipher in all other relations Vice-Presi-
dent could be of little practical service to the
Pacific Coast, but member of the Cabinet
could be, and l will strongly favor any judi
elous movement to secure for this coast q
Cabinet officer. A representative in the Cab
met OF the next Republican Presidents
strong man, we'll acquainted with the interests
and needs of the Pacific Coasts what we
need. He should be man well posted on the
land and irrigation interests of the far West
the irrigation laws and their application, and
should be stanch and determined friend of
the Nicaragua canal and of the great harbor
interests of the Pacific Coast With such a
man in the Cabinet and strong men in the two
houses we could hope to secure legislation and
executive action in these directions such as
our people feel themselves fairly entitled to.
What are your views regarding the move
ment to secure the National Republican Con-
yention for San Francisco?
They are not, to be sure, entirely in harmony
with those of THE CALL and some other good
journals and people who are promoting the
movement, but l think can defend them on
the merits, and 1 recognize the fact that we
cannot all think alike on any subject. And
by the way, see that THE CALL has been MAX
ing a most energetic effort in the direction
you indicate. That is all right, for l like to
see fellow-or a newspaper-make q good
fight when he feels called upon, to enter the
arena of conflict. have been impressed with
the energy shown by Mr.. Shortridge and his
great newspaper in this and many other par
ticulars. Certainly such energy, persistence
and force as have been shown by THE CALL and
its editor cannot fail to produce results in any
right direction. And to be right is the great
science; right in journalism, right in business,
right in policies, right in craftsmanship and
right in all the ranks of life.
What in your opinion are the reasons that
make against San Francisco as the best loca-
ton for the conventionW
az think that the manner in which the CAM
paign has been commenced is not entirely wise
or judicious. 1 recognize that fact that local
patriotism and State pride are legitimate and
commendable, and l possess those qualities in
common with my fellow-citizens of California
and the coast, but the question of securing the
convention for San Francisco has no impor-
tance when compared with the great and all
essential object of securing the very best re-
suits from the labOrs of that convention Sue
cess on right lines is the great end to
be achieved. 1 fear that success at the
polls might be ieopardized by improper
influences in the nominating convention.
There exists, g you are aware, in Colorado,
Nevada, Arizona, and to some extent in Cali
fornia, an extreme and somewhat heated free
silver sentiment, largely among Populists,
Democrats and TO some extent among Republi-
cans, who thus place themselves beyond the
pale OF the Republican platforms adopted from
time TO time during many years past. Our
platforms have invariably declared for sound
money the dollar in each case to be at parity
with every other dollar, the Government
pledging itself TO maintain that parity under
all circums tances This, take it, is true Re-
publican doctrine on the financial question.
1 do not see how our people can break away
from the party on this proposition and hope
for success In short, we ought to leave the
free silver, anti-Repu blican bowling to be done
by the Populists and other opponents OF the
party OF sound money and protection. Should
the copyention be held in San Francisco, an
ticipate great pressure from this sort of people,
from men who will not vote with us, no matter
what the convention does-presSlre to in
duce the convention to insert a free
silver plank into its platform. Should
it weakly yield it will ieopardize its
chances of success in the great Republican
States OF the East where the body of the Repub-
lican vote must come from. Should the con-
vention refuse to make concessions to these
populistic howlers and other deluded souls, it
viii thereby give them another opportunity to
raise great cry against the Republicans and
make capital in the close States of the Far West
against its platform and candidate"
"But would the delegates elected from hard
money States be likely to yield to such press
ure?"
''They might. There are, you know, in every
National convention composed of hundreds of
delegates not a few weak ones-Inen without
convictions, without firmness and without any
true conception OF great public policies. This
would be the case, fear, with many Southern
delegates coming from States which will cast
no Republican electoral votes. These men, un-
der the pressure which 1 have indicated, and
possibly yielding to the Establishments,
free rides, free hotel bills and free booze, might
mistakenly feel themselves under obligations
to yield to that pressure ana these blandish-
ments. and vote IN violation of the sentiment
of their constituents. / hope it viii not be so
wherever the convention may meet, but there
is a risk about it which it seems to me sho ould
not be taken. For that reason I am utterly
opposed to putting up the convention at auc-
ton, to carrying the delegates free to the place
OF meeting and to all attempts to make of it
general debauch. 1t will be disgrace to the
Republican party and shame to the country
and the age in which we live If the delibera-
tioEs OF the convention are conducted other
wise than with decorum, impartiality and
dignity. II is to be great popular political
tribunal, having the destinies of the party and
Of the country in its hands, and everything
which may tend to lower the high character of
its proceedings will be discouraged by Repub-.
licans throughout the United States, who de-
mend right results secured in the right way.
believe that my fellow journalists and fellow
Republicans in California will, when they
come to think seriously of these things, give
weight to the reasons which / have here
advanced.
"What other reasons, in your judgment, can
be fairly urged against the holding of the con-
vention at San Francisco?"
''The lack OF telegraph facilities on this coast
for the transmission of the voluminous con-
vention. press reports that will have to be sent
out, is urged in the East serious objection.
believe that the number OF wires running
out from Minneapolis when the Republican