The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-10

patched messenger with the follow
ing letter addressed to Samuel Foster at
his place of business on California street.:
SAN FRANCISCO, July 9. 1895.
Samuel FOster-DEAR SIR: There will be q
meeting this afternoon of the executive COM
mittee of the Republican State Central Com
mittee at the committee-room, No. 27, third
floor, 419 California street, TO take action on
the Mayors appointment of two Republican
members of the Board of Election Commits
sioners OF the City and County of San Fran
cisco.
had not supposed that there would be any
opposition to yourself for the position named,
but find that several people are industriousiy
asserting that you voted the Populist and not
the Republican ticket at the last election.
have been requested by members of the
executive committee to ask of you frank
so vote. A brief note by the bearer stating
that you voted the entire Republican State
ticket at the last election would settle the
question and presume that you will be con-
hrmed without controversy Sincerely yours,
P. B. CORNWALL,
Chairman Republican State Central Com
mittee.
To the foregoing letter Mr.. Foster sent
the following reply:
SAN FRANCISCO, July 9. 1895.
P. B. Cornwall Chairman Republican State
Commtttee-DEAR SIR: Yours of even date is re-
ceived. l too had not supposed there would be
any opposition to myself for the position
named. l have never been Populist af-
fliated with that party or voted for that ticket.
On the contrary, have always been Repub-
lican from the days of Fremont until the pres
ent time. No one. acquainted with me can
can be made on that ground and that is, l be-
lieve, the only ground for objection by the law
creating the Board of Election Commissioners.
have always reserved the right to scratch a
public welfare was subserved. I am entitled
by my political record and standing to the ap-
pointment which has been rendered to me and
it shall be my aim to see the law faithfully car
ried out and justice done to the Republican
party and to the whole people l remain, very
respectfully, SAMUEL FOSTER.
Mr.. Fosters reply was not sufficiently
clear and definite to satisfy majority of
the mem oers of the executive committee
attending the meeting. When the ques-
ton was put to vote, after discussion for
nearly two hours, the committee decided
to protest against Mr.. Fosters appoint
ment.
There were no reasons advanced for pro-
testing against the appointment of A. E.
Castle and therefore the silence of the
committee signifies acceptance.
In the absence OF the regular secretary
of the committee Frank McQuaid per-
formed the duties of that office. The
chairman was instructed to prepare reso-
luton in accordance with the sentiments
expressed by the committee, and last even
ing the secretary delivered the resolution
of protest to Mayor Sutro.
The resolution simply sets forth that the
Republican State Central Committee pro-
tests against the nomination and appoint
ment of Samuel Foster for the position of
Election Commissioner on the ground that
he is not Republican and did not vote
the Republican State ticket at the last
election.
1t was ascertained after the meeting ad-
journed that the opposition to Mr.. Foster
was led by M. Cooney and Frank McQuaid.
Efforts to down him in the committee
were begun as soon as the appointment
was announced and the result of Tues
days session proves that they (Cooney
and McQuaid) did some very effective
work.
1t transpires that Mr.. Foster had warm
supporters in the committee and among
them were W. W. Montague, H. l.. Dodge
and James McNab. The resolution of
protest was adopted by a very slight ma
iority. The only reason advanced for pro-
testing was Fosters lack of fidelity to the
party. The letter given above did not fur
nish the only ground, for active members
of the committee submitted proof which
was deemed conclusive that Mr.. Foster
at the election last fall. The inference is
clear that he must have voted for Budd, as
he distinctly denies in his answer to P. B.
CORVALLIS letter that he voted the Popu-
list ticket. Of course, he could have voted
the Prohibition ticket, but that was not
counted by the committee.
A party pressure was brought to bear on
the committee to convince members that
only Republicans of the straight-out and
never-bolting kind should be allowed on
the Election Board as representatives of
the party. p. B. Cornwall, himself chair
man of the committee, and one who enter
tains high regard for Mr.. Foster, is inclined
to stand up firm and erect for party asser-
ton in this respect.
Perhaps it would be treating Mr. Estee
in a manner which he might regard as
unkind to say that his influence was cast
against Mr.. Fosters confirmation. He