The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-13

Francisco in 1851. From 1852 to 1854, in
addition to the law practice, he was con-
nected with the publication of the San
Francisco Daily Wing as one of its pub
fishers and proprietors.
In 1854 Mr.. Pixley married Miss Amelia
Van Reynegom, and since that time re-
sided on the block bounded by Union,
Fillmore, Steiner and Green streets. He
owned at one time more than four adjoin-
ing blocks.
An early enterprise with which he was
connected was the Yuba Railroad Com
pany, completing the road from Folsom to
Lincoln. He was president of the COM
pany. being associated with Colonel Will
son of early railroad notoriety.
He was City and County Attorney for
San Francisco during the administration
of Mayor Brennan. and served one term
in the California Legislature during the
sos. He was Attorney-General.of the State
under the administration of Governor Le-
land Stanford. Mr.. Pixley was nominated
for Congress when the district embraced
the entire southern portion of the State
from San Francisco to San Diego, and was
defeated by Judge Axtell. He was United
States District Attorney by appointment
Of President Grant, which Office he held for
one year and resigned.
He was rendered the appointment OF
District Judge by Governor William Nicely
Johnson, but declined to accept the office.
He was also rendered foreign appoint
ment by General Grant, which was also de-
clined.
Mr.. Pixley was not candidate for Office
after his defeat for Congress, but he took
an active interest in public affairs. He
served as Park Commissioner for three
years, having been appointed by Governor
George c. Perkins. He served also as
Commissioner of the Yosemite Valley for a
term OF four years. He was member of
every Republican State convention in
California from 1856 until the Los Angeles
convention of 1886, which nominated John
F. Swift for Governor. He was member
of the National Republican convention
which defeated General Grant and nomi-
mated Garfield.
From the Chicago convention of 1880
Mr.. Pixley in his editorial corresponds
ence wrote thus of General Grant, which
attracted wide attention at the time. He
said:
The enemies of General Grant-if he has any
must be more than satisfied. Contrast his
position now with that of the day when we of
San Francisco went out and escorted him
within our golden gates with feet of ships
such O convoy as never monarch had such n
welcome as no king returning to his native
land ever received-the guns of our forts thun-
dering from their blazing throats loud
mouthed welcome, banners streaming in the
golden sunset of that gorgeous evening, our
City blazing with light, flags of welcome wav-
ing under the breath of our hundred thousand
Joyous threats, proud to welcome to our shores
from his trip around the earth the first gentle
man of the world. Now, having been dragged
in stormy politics through thirty-six ballot
ings, he emerges beaten candidate, a defeated
politician. He has beennused. His friends in
this conflict were not the men who
asked him to violate q National tradi-
ton, and in his ambition to do that which
Washington deemed wrong and which no
President dared attempt; his ambition and
his fame have eliminated. His has been q
remarkable career, as he has been a remark
able man. He went up like blazing rocket,
and there in the blue vault he might have
stood transfxed, a brilliant star, and all his
to him with admiration and gratitude. But
alas! a syndicate of great politicians and great
bankers beckoned him to come down and do
their bidding. He assented in ambitious
hopes of loftier fight. He came down q
stick, charred and broken, and he will never
again be so lifted up. am not glad that Gen
eral Grant has been so Inundated, but am
violated and that the country has not received
the hurt of his nomination.
When it was announced that General
Grant would arrive in San Francisco on
his return from tour of the world, United
States Senator General John T. Miller and
Frank M. Pixley were appointed to meet
the incoming ex-President and extend the
hospitality of the town. General Grant
manifested so much preference for General
Miller in the greeting that many regarded
his manner as an intended slight to Mr..
Pixley. The latter, however, escorted