The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-23
DENMAN IS CHAIRMAN,
Permanent Organization Is Eff
feCted by the Election
Commissioners.
Foster United With the Democrats
on Showdown "-CaStle
In the Cold.

The Election Commission met yesterday
afternoon in executive session for the first
and last time. They effected permanent
organization by making James Denman
chairman and William NJ. Hinton secre-
tary. This was all cut and dried before
the meeting; the Republican member who
was obnoxious to several of the executive
committee, to-wit, Samuel Foster, taking
part with the Democratic members of the
Commission, Denman and Wellin. Mr..
Foster had little favor to return TO the
Republican party, and it was thought ad-
visable to have the proceedings carried on
behind closed doors.
A. Z. Castle was comparatively alone in
the commission and his was chilly corner.
The meeting was held in one of the darkest
rooms of Registrar Hinton's office, and
after the door was locked Mr.. Denman
ominated Mr.. Wellin for temporary
chairman. Mr.. Hinton was named as tenn
porary secretary, and then the board pro-
ceeded to elect a perm anent chairman.
Mr.. Foster promptly named Mr.. Castle,
and Mr.. Wellin nominated Mr.. Denman.
Mr.. Castle made little speech, saying
that he found himself in very peculiar
position.
~ shall have to vote for myself" said
he; mot so much for myself personally as
for the Republicans whose representative
/ am"
ballot was taken, resulting in two
votes for Castle and one for Denman. A
second and third ballot resulted exactly
the same way. Then an idea struck Cas-
tie. He read the law to himself, which
was as follows:
The members OF said commission shall, every
two years, choose one OF their number as
chairman. In event of failure to select on
five ballots the oldest of said members in point
OF years shall be chairman.
Mr. Castle saw that if two more ballots
were taken Mr.. Denman, the patriarch of
the board, would be chairman. II rise to
point of order" said the young mer-
chant II think that, having received
majority of the votes cast, | should be de-
clared elected"
WHAT exclaimed the other three gen.
tlemen, aghast at the proposition.
'tOut of order" cried Chairman Wellin.
proceed with the balloting."
81 appeal from the chair" said Mr..
Castle
vote was taken and the vote stood 8 to
l against Mr.. Castle. Commissioner Den
man now voting for the first time and Mr..
Foster voting with him.
Temporary Chairman Wellin then made
q
vote for Mr.. Castle, but could not do so
on account of the young gentleman's ex-
IRENE youth. This was crusher, as Mr..
Castle is only 81 years of age and is shortly
to be married. After that Mr. Denman
voted for himself and the ballot stood 2
and 2. Mr.. Denman having proved to the
satisfaction of Messrs. Foster and Wellin
after the fifth ballot that he was the Oldest
man present. he was declared the perma-
nent chairman.
Registrar Hinton was slated for secre-
tary, and as the Republican State Central
Committee also wanted him for the posi-
ton, out of courtesy, Castle thought he
would land something to the credit of the
party and he hastily placed Hinton in
nomination. Denman seconded the
nomination and the election was unani-
nous one.
Commissioner Foster nominated @. B.
SWEET for deputy and Castle named Jake
Steppacher. He said that the latter had
been suggested by a number Of the State
Central Committee.
The four men who voted for you on the
executive committee. Mr.. Foster" said he.
"have asked me to support Mr.. Step
pacher, and they have also asked you to do
the same. l think that the Endorsement
OF such men should have some weight"
The other two mem bers of the commits
sion began to ply Mr.. Foster with cues
tions as to the qualifications of his candi-
date, and Castle, recognizing that there
was but little chance for his man, asked
for postponement until he could inyesti-
gate Mr.. Swett's political bearings.
The commission then adjourned until
l:30 o'clock this afternoon, when it will
consider the tax lew